In Fall of 2016 I adapted my Inquiry style multivariable calculus by including 3D printed manipulatives. The goal was to have students explore physical copies of the standard quadratic surfaces. In addition, by creating surfaces that only contained the level curves, we could project the shadow of the surface to obtain contour plots. Finally, the students were given the contour plot of a function not defined by an equation. After attempting to build the surface out of modelling clay, they were able to check their solution against a 3D print of the surface.
