Silica Model Laser Cut

Inspired by [this laser cut molecular model kit](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4045445) by almateus, I made a 3D model of silica (SiO2) for use in my science classroom. The red silica atoms are based on the carbon atoms from the kit but resized to fit my straws and cut from red acrylic (3mm). The blue acrylic connectors represent oxygen with a Si-O-Si bond angle of 144 degrees. Silica has a range of bond angles but 144 is a good average.
Silica forms a 3D covalent network in which each Si is bonded to 4 oxygens and each oxygen is bonded to 2 silicon atoms. The complex 3D nature of this network is difficult to portray in textbooks and other printed media so I created this model to show the structure.