At NoCTURN Education & Outreach, we’re passionate about what computed tomography (CT) can mean for teachers and students. Bringing CT into the classroom could be a huge leap forward, empowering educators and sparking creativity in students.
(Thank you to Monika Moorman for sharing pictures of her students [with permission].)
Unlocking a Multidisciplinary Learning Tool
CT is a unique tool that combines physics, engineering, mathematics, biology, cultural heritage, and even art. This integration makes CT data an incredible resource for dynamic classroom experiences across disciplines. Whether students are studying ancient artifacts, human anatomy, or biological structures, CT lets them explore real-world objects as detailed digital 3D models or prints, helping them understand the links between form and function, the history within objects, and the engineering principles that apply to both natural and human-made structures.
Sparking Public Engagement and Creativity
With public access to tomography data, the doors are wide open for museums, libraries, and maker spaces to engage their communities with science. We’re doing our best to ensure we provide alternatives for a wide range of communities with different resource availability. Imagine students or community groups using CT scans of fossils, sculptures, or biological specimens to inspire projects that blend science and creativity. This access empowers learners not only to explore information but to experiment, create, and share new interpretations of these rich data sets.
A Collaborative Future
The NoCTURN Education & Outreach Community has a vision to build collaborative resources for K–12 education, with opportunities to bring scientific and cultural artifact replicas into classrooms. We’re fostering an environment where creativity thrives, where educators, students, and the public can connect over shared discoveries, and where learning goes beyond the traditional classroom, while still being accessible.
CT is more than a tool for collecting data—it’s a catalyst for creativity and empowerment. It enables educators to harness students’ curiosity about what lies within everyday objects, making science and discovery accessible, inclusive, and inspiring for everyone. Let’s celebrate this era of open access and bring the wonders of tomography into hands and minds around the world!
