Layers of the Earth Paintings at SOIT

STEAM Students in Mrs. Simon's art class have been creating paintings that explore archaeology, artifacts, and culture as well as aesthetics and creativity.  For this project, Mrs. Simon first asked students to research what lies beneath layer of the earth that we all live upon. Students used the classroom computers to dig deep into this problem examining the fact that the earth is made of multiple striated layers consisting of a wide variety of matter including rock, water, and clay, metal.  LINK



Students were fascinated to explore this subject and Mrs. Simon also encouraged them to use their imaginations to picture what might lie beneath the earth's crust. A wide variety of responses emerged and students wrote several relevant vocabulary words into their journals. 


Next they used pencils to sketch out their ideas onto large 18 x 24 white paper.  They utilized a combination of scientific facts and personal imagination. Then students explored color schemes they thought would bring their drawings to life.





















The final aspect of this project consisted in painting the drawings, a slow and patient process.  Students chose from a combination of watercolor, tempera and acrylic paints in order to actualize their drawings in full color.  Many of these paints have 
been purchased with the Dodge STEAM grant.






The resulting display of works will be exhibited soon in the hallways of SOIT where they will undoubtedly attract a wide variety of attention and admiration.