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Open Access 3D Printed Anatomical Models for Health Sciences Education
Friday October 9, 2026 4:15pm - 4:30pm EDT
Video
ID: 33981

Human anatomy is foundational to health science education and a core course in many undergraduate degree programs, including pre-med, pre-nursing, pre-dental, biomedical engineering, kinesiology, and exercise science.  Anatomy instruction relies heavily on hands-on 3D tools, including human cadaveric body and organ donation, plastic models, and skeleton models, which are essential for teaching anatomical relationships and spatial reasoning.  While these tactile resources are among the most important pedagogically, they are also the most expensive (ranging from $100 - $10,000 per model), a burden which increases lab fees for students and makes them financially inaccessible for many institutions.  The recent explosion of 3D printing technology has the potential to revolutionize anatomy education by lowering the cost of anatomical models, thereby improving access to resources across health sciences programs. The Modern Human Anatomy Program at University of Colorado Anschutz recently launched an open-access repository, called the Colorado OER Anatomy Hub, that hosts 3D-printable models of human organs paired with teaching guides for classroom implementation. Models can be downloaded and printed for free by anyone in the world with access to a 3D printer at a fraction of the cost of commercial models. We piloted 3D printed heart and brain models in 7 anatomy courses across 5 universities in Colorado and solicited feedback through a student survey assessing helpfulness, ease of use, engagement, and satisfaction. Across 821 completed surveys, respondents rated the models highly on all measures (mean Likert scores: 4.0–4.2 out of 5), with 78–87% agreeing or strongly agreeing that the models aided spatial visualization, were easy to use, enhanced engagement, and positively contributed to their learning experience. Moreover, 82% of students recommended the 3D printed models for future students and provided suggestions for modifications and improvements. This presentation will discuss these findings along with the theoretical, practical, and ethical considerations for 3D printing in anatomy education. Ultimately, we aim to empower educators to develop, use, and share OER 3D printed organ models to enhance student access and engagement in health sciences education.
Speakers
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Zachary Stetter

Academic Services Principal Professional, University of Colorado Anschutz
Zachary D. Stetter, MS, is a human anatomical and 3D modeling Principal Professional in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. They manage the 3D printing lab within the Modern Human Anatomy program, alongside providing... Read More →
avatar for Maureen Stabio

Maureen Stabio

Associate Professor & Executive Director, Modern Human Anatomy Program, University of Colorado Anschutz
Maureen E. Stabio, PhD (née Estevez) is an associate professor in the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology and Executive Director of the Modern Human Anatomy (MHA) Program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado. She directs neurosciences courses... Read More →
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Ezra Heeschen

Business Services Principal Professional, University of Colorado Anschutz
Ezra Heeschen is the OER program manager in the Modern Human Anatomy Program in the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology at the University of Colorado Anschutz.Ezra Heeschen is the OER program manager in the Modern Human Anatomy Program in the Department of Cell & Developmental... Read More →
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Steven Summers

Medical Student, University of Colorado Anschutz
Steven Summers is a Medical Student attending the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz. He has interest in 3D printing, student education and mentoring, and ophthalmology.
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Chelsea Lohman

Associate Professor & Executive Vice Director, Modern Human Anatomy Program, University of Colorado Anschutz
Chelsea Lohman, PhD is an associate professor in the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology and Executive Vice Director of the Modern Human Anatomy (MHA) Program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado. She directs gross anatomy courses in both... Read More →
Friday October 9, 2026 4:15pm - 4:30pm EDT
Video
  Lightning Talk (View Anytime)

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