Engineering Insects at School 2

Throughout the school year, students who qualified for enrichment during the daily intervention period were given the opportunity to engage in STEAM work with Art Teacher Ms. Porto and Science Teacher Mr. Colosimo.  A culminating project involved science, engineering, and art.

In this project the students created large sculptural models of insects.  Working in groups, they first researched insects on the Internet.  Each group selected one insect to be their group’s project.  They then further researched their choices, identifying characteristics that would ensure that their models would be reasonably scientifically accurate, although the main purpose was for them to be aesthetically beautiful.

The next step was to determine how to make a model of an insect that would be hundreds

of times larger than in real life.  Decisions had to be made regarding which materials to

choose that would provide the necessary structural support.  Then the actual work began!  (And the work was, at times, messy!) 

 

 It was also necessary to determine how best to connect different types of materials.  For example, if a wire framework was created for the wings, it had to be securely fastened to the body.

A great deal of trial and error took place.  In other words, the students had to apply engineering principles, generating creative solutions to the problem of constructing their models.

Once the basic frameworks were completed and filled in, the models were painted. 

The final results were dramatic and exciting!  In September these will be displayed in a central location so that the entire school can enjoy these works of art.