Why hands-on models work
Students remember what they build, touch, and watch happen. A diagram of a storm sewer is fine; a set of manholes and pipes they can lay out in a sandbox is better. A textbook page about chemical reactions is fine; a volcano erupting on the lab table is better.
We make two 3D printed STEM tools for teachers, homeschool families, and curious kids: the Storm Sewer System Kit and the Mt. Vesuvius Vinegar and Baking Soda Reaction Chamber.
Lesson 1: How stormwater moves through a city
Every street has a hidden system underneath it that carries rainwater away to prevent flooding. Most students have never thought about it. Our Storm Sewer System Kit makes it visible.
What's in the kit
According to the product page, the kit includes:
- 3 manhole bases
- 3 risers
- 3 tops: 1 flat top, 1 concentric cone, 1 eccentric cone
- 6 pipes
It's printed in concrete gray by default, with black or a custom color also available. If you pick a custom color, fill out the form with the color you want.
Price: from $65 (gray or black); a custom color is $85.
A flared end section is in the works.
Lesson ideas
- Lay out a street network in a sandbox or on a table, with manholes at intersections and pipes between them.
- Compare the three tops. Discuss why real manholes use flat tops, concentric cones, and eccentric cones.
- Talk about rainfall and flooding. Where does water go during a big storm, and what happens when pipes are too small?
- Connect to careers. Civil engineers, utility workers, and city planners design and maintain these systems.
For more on why we built this kit, read Future of STEM Education: Build Scale Model Storm Sewer Systems.
Watertight with silicone
When assembled using silicone at the pipe-to-manhole joints and the manhole joints, the kit is watertight. That means students can run water through it and watch how a storm sewer carries it. It's a natural way into lessons on storm sewers and pipe hydraulics.
It's a sandbox toy, and it's also great for hobby dioramas and classroom lessons.
Lesson 2: Chemical reactions and volcanic geology
The baking soda and vinegar volcano is a classic for a reason. Our Mt. Vesuvius model makes it cleaner and repeatable.
What makes it different
According to the product page:
- A dedicated, built-in reaction chamber, leak-resistant and sized to contain typical baking soda and vinegar reactions, which minimizes spills and makes cleanup fast
- Realistic topography: high-resolution printing captures the crater contours and slope features
- PLA construction, easy to wash after experiments
- Reusable: the chamber can be cleaned and reused many times
- Suitable for elementary and middle-school science activities
Colors: brown, white, or black. Price: $30 per single unit.
Need more than one? Reach out, as discounts may apply. That's ideal for a classroom set with one per group.
Vinegar and baking soda are not included. The model is printed from a design by Matthew Behling, shared on Thingiverse.
Lesson ideas
- Chemical reactions: acids and bases, gas production, and why the foam rises.
- Scientific method: change the amount of baking soda or vinegar and record the results in lab notebooks.
- Earth science: use the model to talk about real volcanic geology and Mount Vesuvius.
- Science fair display: the detailed model makes a strong centerpiece.
Care
Per the product page, hand-wash the reaction chamber and interior with warm water, avoid harsh solvents, and store it in a cool, dry place away from prolonged direct sunlight to reduce PLA softening.
Setting up in the classroom
- Lay down a tray or towel under the volcano for each group.
- Pre-measure baking soda and vinegar into cups to speed up group rotations.
- Rinse and dry the chamber between groups.
- For the storm sewer kit, a sandbox or bin of sand makes it easy to bury pipes and set manholes at "street level."
FAQ
What comes in the Storm Sewer System Kit? 3 manhole bases, 3 risers, 3 tops (flat, concentric cone, eccentric cone), and 6 pipes.
How much is the storm sewer kit? From $65 in gray or black; $85 in a custom color.
What's included with the Mt. Vesuvius model? One volcano model with a built-in reaction chamber. Vinegar and baking soda are not included.
How much is the volcano? $30 per unit, in brown, white or black.
Can I order a classroom set? Need more than one? Reach out, as discounts may apply.
What grade levels is the volcano for? The product page lists it as suitable for elementary and middle-school science activities.
Is the volcano reusable? Yes. Rinse and dry the chamber after each use.
Bring the lesson to the table
Order the Storm Sewer System Kit or the Mt. Vesuvius Reaction Chamber. Planning for a whole class? Contact us about multiple units.
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