Woodlouse choice chamber — 3D-printable model preview

AR view

Science & education Medium

Woodlouse choice chamber

Let woodlice choose between damp, dry, light and dark, and count where they go

A classic biology experiment. The four bays meet at an open centre: DAMP and DARK, DAMP and LIGHT, DRY and DARK, DRY and LIGHT. Release ten woodlice in the middle, cover the top with cling film, shade the DARK half with card and wait ten minutes. Almost all of them end up in the damp, dark bay, because woodlice are crustaceans that dry out quickly and hide from the light that would show them to birds. Count them, swap the conditions round and try again, then return them to where you found them.

Customize this model

Size: 160 × 160 × 30 mm
Shape: Rectangular
Walls: 2.4 mm
Volume: 77.7 cm³
Est. weight (PLA): 96.3 g
Parts to print: 1
Category: Science & education
Made by: Krypto
Built in: 52 steps

What’s in it

Rectangular, 160 × 160 × 30 mm, with 2.4 mm walls
4 dividers
Engraved text: “DAMP DARK”, “DAMP LIGHT”, “DRY DARK”, “DRY LIGHT”

How to print it

Put damp paper towel in the two DAMP bays and dry sand in the DRY ones, release 10 woodlice in the middle, stretch cling film over the top and lay black card over the DARK half.

Prints as shown on its floor, no supports.

Filament: at most about 96.3 g of PLA printed solid (roughly $1.93 at $20 per kg); normal infill uses less.

To get the files, open it in the generator and choose File › Download STL (one file per part) or Download 3MF (every part on one plate).

Questions

What size is the woodlouse choice chamber model?

The woodlouse choice chamber model measures 160 × 160 × 30 mm (width × depth × height). You can change every size in the free SO3D.xyz generator before you download it.

Does it need supports?

No. Put damp paper towel in the two DAMP bays and dry sand in the DRY ones, release 10 woodlice in the middle, stretch cling film over the top and lay black card over the DARK half. Prints as shown on its floor, no supports.

How much filament does it use?

At most about 96.3 g of PLA (77.7 cm³ printed solid), roughly $1.93 of filament at $20 per kg. Normal infill uses less.

Can I change it?

Yes. Open it in the SO3D.xyz generator (free, in your browser), change the size, walls, dividers, holes, text or anything else, then download it as STL or 3MF for your slicer.

More science & education

Newton colour wheel spinner

Show that the spectrum colours mix to white

Simple

Kaleidoscope body for three mirror strips

Make a kaleidoscope

Multi-part assembly

Weather sensor radiation shield

Shield a weather sensor from sun and rain

Multi-part assembly

Eclipse viewer frame

Hold solar viewing film safely

Medium

Water clock

Measure time with dripping water

Medium

Zhang Heng earthquake ball

Detect a tremor when a marble balanced on a slender column falls into the dish

Medium

Buffon's-needle pi tray

Estimate pi by dropping matchsticks on a tray of parallel lines

Medium

Strawberry DNA extraction lab

Pull visible strands of DNA out of a strawberry with soap, salt and cold alcohol

Advanced

See all 71 in Science & education

Make it fit your space

Change the size, walls, dividers, holes and labels of the woodlouse choice chamber model in your browser, then download it for your printer. Free, no CAD needed.

Customize this model