STEAM Design Challenges
Index Card Sculpture Challenge Task: Students will create an aesthetic pleasing, freestanding, three-dimensional sculpture without using any adhesives.
Tips: All 20 cards must be used. Prizes can be awarded for tallest structure, most visually pleasing, sturdiest, etc.
Group size: 2-3 students
Materials: 20 index cards Scissors
Time allowed: 45 minutes
Variations: Use rolled newspaper or magazines instead of index cards.
Mystery Bag Art Making Task: Students will create an original 2D or 3D artwork from a box of mystery supplies that illustrates a particular science or math concept.
Tips: Depending on the age of the students, you may want to assign students the science/math concept prior to the art making. Older students may be able to choose a recent topic of study.
Group size: 2-3 students or as an individual project
Materials: Various art making tools (scissors, glue, rulers, etc.) Various art materials (color pencil, watercolor, oil pastels, etc.. Paper, cardboard or other art making surface Bag to hold materials
Time allowed: 45 minutes
Extension: Students should present their work to the class or in small groups. After explaining their process for creating the artwork, students should discuss the science or math concept they illustrated.
STEAM Design Challenges
Designing a New Art Making Tool The technology of tools used to make art has changed dramatically over time. Some of the oldest known tools in art making consist of the Potter’s wheel (developed in Mesopotamia between 6,000-4,000BCE) and the invention of paper in China around 105 BCE. Squeezable tubes of paint came about in the 1840s while acrylic paint formulas were created just over 70 years ago. More recent technologies include advanced graphic design software and 3D printers, as well as a range of various tools used to improve art making.
Task: Students will create a new, reusable art making tool from various scrap and recycled materials. Students will begin by identifying a specific need for a new type of tool. Predetermined constraints may also be distributed by the teacher (see list below). Students will use the Design Thinking Worksheet (attached) to envision and develop an idea. Peer reviewers should give feedback of the completed tools and time should be given for students to revise their work.
Group size: 2-3 students or as an individual project
Materials: Various art making tools (scissors, glue, rulers, etc.) Various scrap and recycled materials (cardboard, egg cartons, pompoms, pipe cleaners, beads, dowels, plastic wrap, foil, bubble wrap, yarn, etc)
Time allowed: 3-4 45 minute periods
Predetermined constraints ideas: A tool that is biodegradable A tool that can fit in a pencil case A tool that is collapsible A tool that is constructed out of one type of material A tool that can be used by a child A tool to be used by an elderly adult A tool to be used by a person with limited vision A tool to be used for painting A tool to be used for ceramics A tool to be used for drawing A tool that does not create noise when used
STEAM Collaboration Activity
The LEGO Game
This fast-paced, intense game of teamwork that not only enhances students’ communication skills but develops and encourages spatial judgment and visual interpretation.
Materials: LEGOs/cups Whiteboard to keep score
1. Break students into small groups of 3-5. Give each group a cup full of identical LEGOs.
2. In an adjacent room, or somewhere out of sight of the participants, display a LEGO sculpture built out of the same combination of LEGOs that the groups possess.
3. Have each group select an “architect.” The other group members become the “runners.” The architect is the only member of the group that is allowed to touch and build with the LEGOs.
4. At the sound of a whistle, one runner from each table goes to view the LEGO sculpture in the secret location. They take a minute to study the sculpture, then report back to their groups.
5. Once there, the runner must tell the architect how to re-build the sculpture brick by brick WITHOUT talking. Students are encouraged to point, shake their heads and gesture, but may not use any words.
6. Runners continue to take turns viewing the sculpture and reporting back until the group feels like it has rebuilt the sculpture exactly like the original.
7. Once finished, a group sits down and group members raise their hands.
8. Once all teams are finished, bring the original sculpture out and compare it to each group’s work.
9. The scoring system works like golf. Points are assigned for each mistake and also if groups were caught using verbal cues. The team with the lowest score wins.