Following Up On Two Permanent STEAM Art Projects at NRC

Two on-going permanent STEAM art projects have changed the face of the NRC building in dramatic and positive ways!  First of all, Ms. Mandal's ceiling tile project has continued to fascinate the student artists who are in grades 6-8 in her art classes.  

Ms. Mandal asked the students to envision paintings for the ceiling using the existing white ceiling (acoustic) tiles as "blank canvases".  

She urged them to think about inspirational slogans and images from visual culture and recent art history for their art work.  "What would you like to see on the ceiling of your school hallway?" she inquired.  Students were inspired to leave a piece of themselves "behind" in their school, something that would even last beyond their graduation.

An increasing number of tiles have been added weekly to the ceilings of the NRC building by Mike the custodian who also has been providing the blank acoustic tiles.

The artworks painted onto the tiles reflect a great deal about the ideas, preferences, choices, and aesthetics of the middle school students at NRC and their words and images now adorn the school "speaking" to the viewer or passerby from "above."  The result is an awesome STEAM art project: a combination of engineering, science, art and the many voices of middle school students.

In a second, equally compelling project, NRC Physical Education teacher, Mr. Shikman, has worked with his after school classes in carpentry to carve and install the names of each of the NRC classrooms (named after prestigious universities) onto the gymnasium wall.  At NRC, each homeroom has the name of a major U.S. university.  The purpose is to keep students constantly aware of the goal of the school: that all students prepare for colleges and careers, and that they have the highest aspirations for their futures.

This student project combined art, math and science.  Students used measuring tools, drawing tools, chiseling tools, painting tools and more. The unusual art supplies (tools lumber, paint, and epoxy) were used with caution in Mr. Shikiman's after-school carpentry class as part of NRC's extended day program.  NRC students beamed with pride at their new carpentry tools and their handy work.

The finished art works look so professional it is hard to believe middle school students created these plaques!  Once again this permanent STEAM art collaboration will be enjoyed by students, teachers, administrators and families in the NRC building for years to come!

 Right image:  NRC Physical Education teacher Mr. Shikman with one of his students