Latin American Studies (Professor Lily Balloffet) 

One of Western Carolina University’s newest History professors is allowing her students to experience the ruins of Machu Pichu without even leaving the classroom. Dr. Lily Balloffet, assistant professor in the department of History, has partnered with the Coulter Faculty Commons and the 3DU to create unique 3D Models for her classroom. Students in Dr. Balloffet’s Ancient and Colonial Latin America History Class have been able to experience hands on the ruins of Macchu, the topography of South America, and even a Mayan Calendar, among others, through the help of 3D models. Ballofet partnered with the 3DU to print a variety of models that she has used in her class to enhance instruction.

As a special honors contract for her students, Ballofet partnered with Jonathan Wade from the Coulter Faculty Commons (CFC) to create a unique Latin American Cultural Exhibit. The CFC helped Dr. Ballofet obtain a grant to allow her honors students to create an interactive 3D Exhibit in the hall of McKee. Elizabeth Ianuzzi, Brookly Parham, and Greyson Rowlands selected open source models 3D Models of famous Latin American artifacts and created a 3D Billboard detailing the history and cultural significance of these objects.