No. 5 - Building Your Own Smithsonian Artifacts Collection at Home

This won't be a long entry but the topic is one worth noting. With access to 3D printers becoming a standard amongst most places of education, both in private and public schools, and community based educational programs or workshops almost anyone can have access to a 3D printer. This is a great opportunity for those wanting to build whatever their heart desires but what's really interesting is the ability to create your own collection of historical artifacts and art works.

The Smithsonian started a digitization project of their collection and it is available for public use and download. Meaning, they have added (and continue to add) 3D models to a database for the public to use and prints models of historical artifacts at home. This is the new way for educational environments to teach about this artifacts, and moments of history. Think about a kid in middle school who got to print some 3D printed bones from a archeological site hundreds of years ago and was able to touch study the bones to then recognize them in a Museum or gallery. Its a educational cycles that is immeasurable for quality of learning for students around the world. 

More info here -> https://all3dp.com/4/you-can-now-3d-print-smithsonian-artifacts-at-home/