Aztec Suns at SOIT

Aztec Suns

Science, Mathematics, and Art

     In this STEAM project, Mrs. Simon’s art class explored Aztec culture and created an Aztec Sun using metal foil, acrylic paint, and sharpie pens. Students researched the Aztecs on the internet and learned about this fascinating future for example: 

"Long known for their cool circular calendars and practice of human sacrifice, Aztecs were also math whizzes. Aztecs used hand, heart and arrow symbols to represent fractional distances when calculating areas of land, scientists have discovered."  Students learned the Aztecs had their own form of arithmetic based on glyphs rather than the numerals we use today. For example, the arrow, heart and hand symbols represented fractions.  LINK

Above:  Aztec Math Calculations

In addition the Aztecs had knowledge of astronomy.  "Ancient Aztec Astronomy has always been a part of Aztec culture. The stars, the planets, and the movements of heavenly bodies in the universe was a great part of the traditions of the Aztec people and it had a lot to do with their everyday movements and the decisions that they made on a daily basis."  LINK

Above:  Aztec Sun

Mrs. Simon taught the students how the Aztecs developed a creation paradigm from their knowledge of mathematics and astronomy.  Students learned about the Aztec conception of the world as having “Five Suns:” the Jaguar Sun, the Wind Sun, the Rain Sun, the Water Sun, and the Earthquake Sun.  In addition, they absorbed the Aztec culture's deep respect for planet Earth and for their natural world.

Students were asked to create their own suns based on this system.  They learned how to transform the stiff material into an artwork using scissors and folding techniques.  They also learned about the elements of art and principles of design as they pertain to the creation of this mask project including: variety, emphasis, harmony and proportion.  Their colorful creations are now hanging on display at SOIT.