STEAM Art Project at GOPA: Math, Science, and Art

In Mr. Jones's art classes at GOPA, students have been studying both 2-D and 3-D painting on masks, incorporating aspects of mathematics with art.  Students began this intriguing project by creating their 3-D masks using wet, plaster bandages to wrap over the forms of original plastic face masks. They next attached these masks firmly to a background made out of chipboard. 

 

Next the students copied the facial features of their mask onto a piece of white paper.  Using geometry, they made sure that the proportions were the same as the original.  Next, Mr. Jones asked them to experiment with paint on this paper to determine how they wished to eventually paint their 3-D masks.  

Using the mathematical concepts of ratio and proportion, they mixed pigments using various proportions and combinations to find the colors they wanted to use on their final mask.

When they were ready, they applied paint in precisely the same manner to the plaster-bandaged masks.  They re-created their colors using the same proportions of pigments for each color as they had used previously on paper.

In addition, Mr. Jone's art students have been working in the medium of pottery. Their small pot study (pictured below) requires them to learn about science as well as art.  Students initially observe while dry clay from last year gets re-cycled and re-conditioned to become moist, usable clay.  All discarded clay, except that which comes into contact with plaster or other contaminants, is recyclable and reusable.

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To make symmetrical clay pots, students use geometrical measurement to calculate how much clay belongs on both the right and left side, and the top and bottom of their vessel.  In addition they must calculate the opening and how wide it can be.  Later, In the firing process of the small clay pots, students learn more science as they come to understand the difference between low-fire and high-fire glazes, and the process by which the glaze melts in the heat of the kiln.  In addition, students learn that leaving even small air bubbles in their clay vessel will cause it to explode in the heat of the kiln.  Below Mr. Jones is pictured with some of his students' clay works.