We're Planning for Cohort 1 in 2024!

We've gathered a group of educators for Infectious Disease Week! We're creating the framework for new classroom materials and professional learning courses as part of our NIH-SEPA Partnership Award. Our first cohort will meet in the summer of 2024 to help develop and field test kits and model prototypes. Modeling the Molecular World is a prerequisite to participating in our grant-funded projects, so make plans to visit Milwaukee next year. 3DMD's summer 2024 professional learning opportunities schedule will be published soon.

What's Your Favorite Social Media Platform?

As we continue to spread the joys of modeling to more educators, we'd love to know the best place to reach you and other teachers like you. Let us know what your preferred social media platforms are, and be entered to win a $25 coupon for our kits and models. Even if you don't use social media, we’d still like to hear from you, make sure to complete this poll to be entered to win the coupon!

Science Spotlight

Lauren Esposito, PhD, is the assistant curator and Schlinger chair of Arachnology at the California Academy of Sciences, specializing in scorpion toxin. Her current research considers the evolution of scorpion venom and the distribution of scorpions in the Caribbean to understand its biodiversity better. She studies the potential uses of scorpion venom in the context of cancer research and additional medication. Dr. Esposito is also the founder of 500 Queer Scientists, a program that raises the visibility of LGBTQ+ people working in STEM. 

What Does Scorpion Toxin Do to Cells?

Model the effect that scorpion toxin has on cell membrane channels with the Potassium Ion Channel Mighty Model. With our latest 3D printed model, you can show your students how toxins stop potassium ion movement while learning about the mechanisms that regulate potassium channels and ion concentration. This model also features AR enhancements that show how the TTX inhibits potassium from moving through the channel. Slide decks and other supporting materials will be available soon.

The Potassium Ion Channel Mighty Model is available on its own or as part of the Mighty Model Channel Protein Collection^© so your students can fully grasp the concept of protein channel cell transportation. Best of all, each model in this collection features AR enhancements that can be used by scanning the accompanying QR code!