Collaborative STEAM Art Quilt at NRC

As we mentioned earlier (see LINK) a collaborative STEAM Art Quilt has been in the works at New Roberto Clemente School/NRC for several months now.  

In STEAM meetings held twice per month at NRC with WPU STEAM Art PIR Triada Samaras, classroom teachers decided that each quilt square would communicate something about their classroom subject. 
Students were asked in each classroom to come up with thumbnail sketches for a potential design.

 

Using the democratic process in each classroom, the students voted for their favorite design and then figured out how to make an art collaboration on one quilt square possible. 

Many art materials were provided by Ms. Triada Samaras via the Geraldine R. Dodge STEAM grant.  Thus teachers and students were able to select from among a wide range of materials to create their final designs.  Moreover, the quilt project provided a way for the students to de-stress during the PARCC Assessment weeks while reflecting on their learning for the year.

Art teachers Ms. Roche and Ms. Aramayo provided support for the classroom teachers.  They acted as consultants and answered questions the teachers had about design, composition and material use.  Below is Ms. Roche's demonstration for paper folding that she showed to the classroom teachers.  Classroom teachers were urged to "think outside the box" with the art materials and with their students. 
Technology teacher Janette Selino suggested the quilt squares be entered into a school-wide competition for a prize.  When the quilt squares from "Phase One" of this project were completed, they were all placed on display in the library.  Art PIR Triada Samaras facilitated teacher voting for the "best" quilt square.  Voting was very difficult due to the fact that so many beautiful quilt designs were created!  Finally a winner was chosen:  Ms. Cruz's Science Class and students won the contest! These thrilled students were awarded a pizza party. (See winning quilt square, marked with letter "L" on right.)

(Above:  from left to right Ms. Aramayo, Ms. Samaras, Ms. Roche, Ms. Selino)

 Next, Ms Selino, Art Teachers Ms. Aramayo and Ms. Roche, and Art PIR Triada Samaras installed the finished quilt squares in the school cafeteria.  This eating area now looks greatly enhanced with the addition of 13 new quilt squares.

Now that "Phase One" is complete and installed, "Phase Two" of this STEAM project can begin at NRC.  More beautiful quilt squares to come in the future!  Art PIR Samaras is hoping ALL NRC classes will eventually create a quilt square.

 Previous Blog Post on the NRC Steam Quilt:  LINK

Look for more quilt squares to come!