Post Contributed by Ally Bernstein, Teaching Assistant
We began this class with a quick follow up to our "Invent a New Art Tool
or Art Process" lesson earlier this week, with a real-life example of
an artistic
invention ~ intaglio, also known as etching! Ms. Bernstein explained
that art over time has changed in part due to inventions throughout history.
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| Norah and Lucy examining the incised lines of the zinc etching plate |
As an example, she shared a zinc etching plate and a print made from the plate, to demonstrate that this type of innovation was revolutionary during the middle ages, as it allowed for the reproduction of a single image to be shared with many (something we often take for granted today). Earlier this week, students learned that printing in this
manner was conceived and developed from a previous invention: the
engraved armor of knights!
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| Elijah tracing his finger along the engraved lines of Ally's engraved printing plate |
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| engraved armor in the middle ages inspired the invention of printing plates & image reproduction |
For today’s activity, students were invited to
use their inventive skills to create solutions to hypothetical
environmental problems, to maintain the health of ecosystems and specific species worldwide. Beye students
considered four scenarios based on real-world problems:
1. A flooding river requires a dam, but a dam would prevent
an endangered salmon species from migrating.
2. Deforestation has destroyed the nesting grounds of a rare
bird species. The species needs a temporary place to nest while the habitat is
restored.
3. Fertilizer spilled in Lake Michigan,
and requires clean-up.
4. A town in the desert has run out of water. They need to
find a new way to collect water in order to avoid moving.
Students were asked to work in groups to develop a
prototype to solve one of these problems. Prototypes were first drafted on
paper. Collaboration on environmental solutions is essential, and every member
of each group had something to add to the project. Some groups even chose to
tackle more than one of the issues ~ very eco-friendly!
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| Jessica |
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| Emily |
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| Dexter |
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| Norah |
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| Jadon, Jackson & Ethan |
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| Lucy |
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| Jessica's completed sketch |
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| sketch by Joseph and Joey |
After finishing their drawings, the groups brought their prototypes
into the three-dimensional world by constructing clay models. It was exciting
to see the drawings come to life, and it was a fun challenge to translate the drawings into models.
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| Joseph and Joey with sketch and clay model |
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| Leila with sketch and clay model |
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| Emory with clay model |
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| Emory's sketch |
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| Emily's miniature clay model |
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| Lucy and Norah at work on their clay models |
Finally, the groups shared their environmental innovations
with the rest of the class. Both the sketches and the models were useful for
envisioning the ideas, and there was a wonderful variety of inventions! From
synthetic trees for endangered birds, to a dam that reroutes water to the
thirsty town ~ the class was
incredibly successful at creatively solving these problems. The future looks
bright!
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| Jackson, Ethan and Jadon presenting their environmental solution to the group |
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| Joey and Joseph's presentation of their environmental solution |
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| Close-up of Joey and Joseph's clay model |
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| Emily with clay model |
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| Jessica presenting to the group |
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| Jessica's small clay model |
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| Norah presenting her environmental solution |
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| Dexter presenting his environmental solution with clay model |
