|
|
da Vinci and Friends:
Curriculum Where Science and the Arts Meet
Resources for Students
|
|
|
“Drawing isn't a matter of what you see, it's a question of what you can make other people see.”
- Edgar Degas
|
|
Kits: Scientific Explorer
Book: Art Fraud Detective
Book: The Great Art Scandal
Classes: Earl Bakken Science Program
Magazine: Ask (Arts and Sciences for Kids Ages 6 - 9)
Book: Hidden Worlds: Looking Through a Scientist's Microscope
Workshops: Leonardo's Basement
Book: The Art and Science of Building
Book: Illusion or Art?
Classes: Science Museum of Minnesota
Book: Our Bodies and Art Activities
Book: Space and Art Activities
Book: Weather and Art Activities
Book: Science Arts: Discovering Science Through Art Experiences
Book: Gee, Wiz!: How to Mix Art and Science or the Art of Thinking scientifically
Book: Leonardo Da Vinci and the Art of Science
Book: The Sun the Moon and the Stars: Art, Literature, Science and Mythology
Book: The Science of Sound and Music
Three Magazines: Muse, Ask and Click
Book: Field Trips
Discovery Center: the Works
Online Guide: Guide to Pressing Seaweed
Web site: Scifizone
Book: The Art of Science: A Pop-Up Adventure in Science
Book: Science Crafts for Kids
Museum: Birds in Art
Book: Rubber-band Banjos and a Java Jive Bass
Book: underwater musicians
Poster: Butterfly Alphabet Poster
Book: How to Really Fool Yourself
Book: Optical Illusions in Art
Software: Symphony Painting
Book: Ears
Book: Loud and Quiet
Book: Making Sounds
Book: Rubber-band Banjos and a Java Jive Bass
Book: Using Sound
Book: The Science Book of Sound
Book: Science Magic With Sound
Book: Sound Science
Book: The Super Science Book of Sound
Book: Underwater Musicians
Book: Poems Go Clang! A Collection of Noisy Verse
Kits: Scientific Explorer
Activities are ready to go in this series of kits, often available at museums and appealing to elementary through early middle school years. Topics of some of the kits lend themselves to art-science connections: Science of Sound, Science of Scent, Tibetan Sand Art.
http://www.scientificexplorer.com
Top
Book: Art Fraud Detective
by Anna Nilsen (2000, Kingfisher Publications) is a delightful combination of art history and the game Clue! Appropriate for ages eight to adult, the reader becomes a detective, looking for differences between works of art and using deductive reasoning to figure out which works of art are frauds and which are truly done by the Old Masters. The book is cleverly designed with a split page format, allowing the reader to simultaneously compare works in the museum with those pictured in the museum catalog. Observation skills are key to enjoying this puzzle. Not only is it a puzzle, but also a "whodunit" story and a reference book, with over 35 paintings from the National Gallery in London. Even one copy of the book could provide enrichment or an on-going activity for interested students. This has been available through numerous mail-order companies, including Mindware.
http://www.mindwareonline.com/mwstore/findprod.cfm?&DID=1&sku=690
Top
Book: The Great Art Scandal
The author of “Art Fraud Detective,” Anna Nilsen, has written another fascinating book, “The Great Art Scandal,” which could interest readers from age 8 to adult. Learn about telltale techniques and trademarks of the artists to figure out a mystery. Use observation and deductive reasoning skills while learning about 32 of the greatest artists in this beautiful and witty book.
http://www.mindwareonline.com/mwstore/findprod.cfm?&DID=1&sku=968
Top
Classes: Earl Bakken Science Program
The Bakken Museum (Minneapolis) focuses on electricity and magnetism, using history, the arts and exploration to bring science to life. The following Saturday programs encourage creativity, and appear tailored to different age needs: The Earl Bakken Science Program is a unique opportunity for young people to explore the excitement and magic of science, engineering and invention. Working with volunteer mentors and Bakken staff, students are challenged to apply newly discovered knowledge in ways that promote creativity, exploration and individuality. All participants become inventors as they discover how things work through hands-on learning and apply this experience to design and create their own unique projects. Classes occur every Saturday during session. Three groups are The Explorers (ages 9-11), Inventors Club (ages 12 -14) and Science Investigators (ages 15 and up).
http://www.thebakken.org
Top
Magazine: Ask (Arts and Sciences For Kids Ages 6 - 9)
Your 2nd to 4th graders are full of curiosity and imagination. How can you challenge their alert minds and inspire them to grow? Give the the publication ASK (Arts and Sciences for Kids)! With ASK, they'll explore the world with the greatest inventors, artists, thinkers, and scientists of the past and present, discovering how the ideas that shape our lives were formed. They'll read articles written by award-winning children's writers and follow serial stories about a group of young explorers who are excited about discovering the world. Each issue of ASK focuses on a single theme and is sure to bring surprises. ASK will encourage a child’s' skill with puzzles, word plays, riddles, activities, cartoons, posters, lively art, and photos. In addition, there's no advertising. Parents Choice Gold Award, 2003.
http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pages/askmain.html
Top
Book: "Hidden Worlds: Looking Through a Scientist's Microscope"
by Stephen Kramer (Houghton Mifflin, 2001) features the life and work of microscopist Dennis Kunkel. From close-ups of butterfly wings and diatom skeletons to the fruiting stalks of black mold, the pictures are worthy of being in an art gallery. Most of the photographs are produced with scanning electron microscopes, and color is added to make it easier to see shapes, textures and structures. This is one way in which the photography is an art, not to mention the composition: "It might take an hour of searching with the microscope to find just the right view of the grass, the one that best shows the graceful curve of the blade and the delicate hairs that cover it." Indeed some of the photos of insect heads are reminiscent of portraits by Chuck Close, showing every whisker in its place. A gallery of his work and reviews of the book are found at http://www.denniskunkel.com
Top
Workshops: Leonardo's Basement
Leonardo's Basement (Minneapolis) provides after-school and summer classes for children and organizes community events like the Build-O-Rama for builders of all ages. Since 1999 they have provided innovative hands-on learning experiences to over 700 children at their workshop, in schools and community centers. Steve Jevning, the director, says, "Our name purposefully invokes the spirit of our intent. Leonardo da Vinci remains the best representation of a curious and observing mind relating the disciplines of art, science and technology. The name also means to convey that we are about discovery and experimentation and the informal atmosphere and creative work associated with heading down into the basement to tinker."
www.leonardosbasement.org
Top
Book: The Art and Science Of Building
"The Art of Construction" is a book which has its readers using ordinary sticks and straws to learn the principles of why buildings stand up and how bridges support weight. Children's Science Book Award. Grades 6-12. (#MA95098)
www.mindwareonline.com (Do an item search using the numbers above.)
Top
Book: Illusion or Art?
American Library Association's Best Book for Young Adults 2001 ia a second volume of optical illusions. Both "The Art of Optical Illusions" and "More Optical Illusions" can serve as an entry into experiments with perception, and discussions of what is art. Grades 7 and up. (#MA97093 and #MA95062)
www.mindwareonline.com (Do an item search using the numbers above.)
Top
Classes: Science Museum of Minnesota
Choose from classes on a wide variety of topics, like Potions and Monsters, The Spy, Code and Alarm Club, Mindstorms Mini Art-Cars and Chemistry is in the House! For a complete listing of education programs for kids ages 3 to 16, log on to the Science Museum's web site or call (651) 221-4511.
http://www.smm.org/educationprograms
Top
Book: Our Bodies and Art Activities
Part of the "Arty Facts" series by Crabtree Publishing, 2002, "Our Bodies and Art Activities" is a delightful book of activities for elementary aged kids. It could be used as easily at home as at school. Each topic is covered in a page of short paragraphs and colorful photographs, and each facing page has related activities, richly illustrated, which clearly spell out what is needed and what to do. Playful topics include "Brainbox" (about the brain) with related circuit board collage, "Breathing Machine" (about lungs) and an activity making bellows, and "Body blueprint" (about DNA) coupled with tips for making a double-helix choker necklace.
http://www.crabtreebooks.com
Top
Book: Space and Art Activities
Part of the "Arty Facts" series by Crabtree Publishing, 2002, "Space and Art Activities" is a delightful book of activities for elementary aged kids. It could be used as easily at home as at school. Each topic is covered in a page of short paragraphs and colorful photographs, and each facing page has related activities, richly illustrated, which clearly spell out what is needed and what to do. Playful topics include “Fridge Magnets” (made of clay in spacey shapes), “Mercury Maze Game” (that marbles roll through to get to the planet) and “Space Station” (made of plastic bottles, cardboard tubes, foil and lots of other common materials).
http://www.crabtreebooks.com
Top
Book: Weather and Art Activities
Part of the "Arty Facts" series by Crabtree Publishing, 2002, "Weather and Art Activities" is a delightful book of activities for elementary aged kids. It could be used as easily at home as at school. Each topic is covered in a page of short paragraphs and colorful photographs, and each facing page has related activities, richly illustrated, which clearly spell out what is needed and what to do. Playful topics include "Drip Paintings” (about rain showers), Dizzy Twister (model noisy tornado) and “Spinning Weathervane” (it works, and has c colorful rooster on top).
http://www.crabtreebooks.com
Top
Book: Science Arts: Discovering Science Through Art Experiences
by Mary Ann Kohl and Jean Potter, 1993, Bright Publishing, Bellingham, WA
A very well organized book of activities for ages 3-10. Teachers could easily use it as a source of elementary school "art experiments." The activities are coded by age, art technique, ease of preparation, seasons, safety cautions, whether adult help is needed, or the outdoors, among other things. The two authors' favorites are coded as well. Each art experiment includes a scientific explanation and one science concept, and takes up one clearly illustrated page, giving materials, art experiment and variations. There are about twenty activities in each of the following chapters: Water and Air, Light and Sight, Motion and Energy, Reaction and Matter, and Nature and Earth. Experiments include bottle optics, real camera, gear sculpture, chromatography, and symmetry prints. See some elementary activities from ScienceArt book:
http://www.sci.mus.mn.us/sln/tf/books/sciencearts.html
Top
Book: Gee, Wiz!: How to Mix Art and Science or the art of Thinking Scientifically
by Linda Allison and David Katz,1983, The Yolla Bolly Press, Covelo, CA
The great thing about this book is the way in which it discusses and reinforces the idea that imagination is what art and science have in common. It is written with a sense of humor in a conversational style but still gets into some serious science concepts for elementary-aged kids. It is part of The Brown Paper School series, designed for kids and grown-ups together. The jacket sums up the approach: "This book is about science. It is also about Art. Inside you'll find the Wizard (also known as Professor Bumble), the Lizard (who is the Wizard's reptilian side-kick), and a lot of other crazy stuff....This book will show you that scientists and artists share one very important trait - imagination." There are humorous drawings on every page; some may find them dated. For most activities there is a paragraph discussing the concept, asking questions and encouraging a sense of wonder, followed by materials and directions. Examples of activities are: mirror drawings and mirror mazes (making and finding symmetry) , mini-movies, flippers and twirlers (animation), one-eyed theater (depth perception), and fooling around with frames (soap film experiments).
Top
Book: Leonardo da Vinci and the Art of Science
by Kenneth Keele, 1977, Wayland Publishers, Sussex, Great Britain
Less than a hundred pages in length, this biography is aimed at upper elementary to middle school students and is still scholarly enough to satisfy an adult. It is richly adorned with black and white drawings by Leonardo and other illustrations. Stories of his youth and of his developing talent in art, science and invention abound. His unusual outlook on the world as a natural philosopher set him apart from others. The preface asserts, "Starting life as much more of an artist than a scientist, Leonardo finished as more of a scientist than an artist." We see this progression as we read of his keen ability to observe and depict animals as a young man, how he set out the rules of perspective based on the physics of light, and later studied the scattering of sunlight by waves. Leonardo is described as a pioneer of creative science: "He saw that art and science are closely linked, each giving something to the other. For Leonardo, science without art was sterile; and art without science was absurd."
Top
Book: The Sun the Moon and the Stars: Art, Literature, Science and Mythology
by Richard Whelan, 1998, First Glance Books, Cobb, California
A visually delightful book, this shows the universality of human interest in the heavens through cultures. From Japanese woodblock prints of the moon to Galileo's drawings of the moon, and from golden Incan sun god sculptures to Emily Dickinson poetry, this colorful book can be enjoyed at many levels and by the person who will only flip through it. Science, literature and art are organized under three themes: The sun and solar system, the moon, and the stars. It can awaken the wondering spirit to philosophical questions of our place in the universe, the mysteries of creation and the size and scope of space.
Top
Book: The Science of Sound and Music
by Shar Levine and Leslie Johnstone, 2000, Sterling Publishing, New York
Dozens of activities and experiments fill this colorful book. The authors believe in providing a good time for kids, as they investigate concepts. In "Good Vibrations" they make a simple device with a vibrating ruler to draw waves, illustrating frequency and hertz. In "You and Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish" kids can use a vibrating rope to find out where scales come from, and get an introduction to harmonics. It is well organized, with clearly labeled sections on "what you need," "what you do," and "what happened?" for each. Adaptable to a wide range of ages.
Top
Three Magazines: Muse, Ask and Click
Muse
A magazine of science and discovery for young readers grades 4 and up, “Muse” is sponsored by Smithsonian Magazine and has articles which ask questions such as “What is art?” and “Were the moon landings faked?” It is designed to encourage young people to think for themselves and often poses problems that do not have clear answers. The web page below also has a link to the Muse web site, where the flavor of the reporting is evident.
http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pages/musemain.html
Ask
Reviewed thoroughly in a previous issue of this newsletter, “Ask” is a magazine written for grades 2-4, and its focus is reflected in the acronym: Ask: Arts and Science for Kids.
http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pages/askmain.html
Click
A magazine for young readers in about grades 1 and 2, “Click” has articles, photographs and other features to encourage an excitement in learning about nature, science, the arts and more.
http://www.cobblestonepub.com/pages/clickmain.html
Top
Book: Field Trips
“Field Trips,” written and illustrated by Jim Arnosky (Harper Collins, $15.95)
The renowned naturalist, artist and author encourages the reader (ages 6-10) to keep a nature journal as a way to develop observation skills. Nature activities in the book are focussed on four accessible subjects in nature: bugs, animal tracks, birds and shoreline plants and wildlife. Arnosky’s drawings help the reader identify creatures found outdoors. Practical advice about wearing insect repellent and probing the shoreline with a stick are offered.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0688151728/qid=1121394400/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-3074834-2808151?v=glance&s=books
Top
Discovery Center: The Works
With a new home in the Edina Community Center (Minnesota), The Works, a technology discovery center, offers a lot of investigative, hands on activities for elementary and middle school students. They offer specific workshops for school and other groups, and are open to the general public on Saturdays. Among the arts-related technology are a "light harp" which uses laser beams and optical sensors to create invisible "strings" for a harp which you can play. There are some art works on the wall which might be described as participatory gear art. Workshops include one in which students explore how string, wind and percussion instruments change pitch. In another workshop each child will build, wire and take home a motor-powered gizmo that combines a personal fan and a tidy spin art machine. Strobe disks, a zoestrope and digital dance offer connections with arts as well. President Rebecca Schatz says, "We shamelessly use art as a window to open the mind."
www.theworks.org
Top
OnLine Guide: Guide to Pressing Seaweed
This on-line guide to making "seaweed art" is intended for teachers, students or anyone interested in pursuing this form of art which involves pressing and arranging seaweeds, which can then be mounted and framed. Written by an artist-scientist team, it is very thorough and richly illustrated with photographs. A contact is provided for booklet formats which may be purchased for classes.
http://www.cryptogamicbotany.com/lm_press_seaweed.html
Top
Web Site: Scifizone
Part of "Science News for Kids," a web site aimed at making science accessible to young people, aged 9 to 13, the SciFiZone claims, "This is where creativity dances with science, art grows from ideas, and storytellers spin hypotheses." There is a short article about science fiction illustrator Kenn Brown and an opportunity for young artists who love to draw aliens and spacecraft to enter their submissions to science fiction writer Julie E. Czerneda for an online gallery. The larger web site is cross-referenced by science topics and has sections for teachers, games, puzzles and science fairs.
http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/SciFiZone.asp
Top
Book: The Art of Science: A Pop-Up Adventure in Science
Jay Young's pop-up book, The Art of Science: A Pop-Up Adventure in Science (1999, Candlewick Press, Cambridge) is an interactive book which is strong in linking the two fields with beauty and imagination. The pop-up portions are for demonstrating or investigating a theme such as a wave sculpture, which serves as an entry into the world of rhythms in physics, or the camera obscura, which is used to introduce the art and science of photography. The pages are richly illustrated with centuries of art by over forty artists, and the text is engagingly written to capture the reader's interest. A 32-page companion book explores the topics further. Especially good for ages 9-13.
www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0756758319/
Top
Book: Science Crafts For Kids
When a group of teachers and parents saw this book in Boston's Science Museum, many were passing it around, recommending it to each other. "Science Crafts for Kids: 50 Things to Invent and Create" by Gwen Diehm and Terry Krautwurst (1997, Sterling Publishing, New York) is a gold mine of activities for elementary and some middle school aged kids. Projects include a pot kiln, clay pot wind chimes, centipede kite, marbled paper and a variation of an ancient Chinese fire clock which tells time by burning a stick of incense. Each project has color photos, detailed lists of supplies and procedures, and articles for more in-depth understanding and extensions.
http://www.kids-study.com/
Top
Museum: Birds in Art
The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum (Wausau, Wisconsin) hosts an annual juried competition and exhibit of bird art which attracts many of the best artists and sculptors in this genre from around the world. Children who go to the exhibit (each fall) will find excellent science-art connections in the children’s activity guide. There are activities comparing airplane flight with bird flight and other activities encouraging young viewers to make inferences about the birds from the wings as depicted in art.
http://www.lywam.org
Top
Book: Rubber-Band Banjos and a Java Jive Bass
The book, “Rubber-Band Banjos and a Java Jive Bass,” by Alex Sabbeth
(John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1997) and illustrated by Laurel Aiello is appropriate for grades 3-6. Projects and activities present the science of sound and music, including how sound is made, how the ears hear sound, and how different musical instruments are made.
http://www.wileyeurope.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0471156752.html
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0471156752/102-0334681-6229749?v=glance
Top
Book: Underwater Musicians
The book, “Underwater Musicians,” by D. M. Souza (Carolrhoda Books, Inc. Minneapolis, 1998) is appropriate for grades 3-6. It introduces a large cast of noisemakers that send messages in the sea and describes how the sounds are produced and received, and the role sound plays in the life of these creatures. Shrimp, lobsters, seals, walruses, and giant whales are some of the underwater musicians introduced. There are good color photos of the creatures.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1575050978/102-0334681-6229749?v=glance
Top
Poster: Butterfly Alphabet Poster
You may have seen this series of color photos of various butterfly wings which have patterns resembling the letters of the alphabet and numbers 1 through 9. A beautiful testament to the power of observation! Available through Insect Lore.
http://store.yahoo.com/insectlore/butalpos.html
Top
Book: How to Really Fool Yourself
Vicki Cobb’s book of optical illusions and other ways to fool the senses should be good summer fun to check out of the library or buy. See what amazon.com says about it:
Fans of Vicki Cobb's unique blend of humor, science, and hands-on activities 0will have tons of fun with How to Really Fool Yourself. Kids won't be able to believe their eyes—not to mention their ears, noses, hands, and tongues! Packed with all-new illustrations and a delightful new design, this book features over 70 activities to fool all five senses. Each illusion is followed by a fascinating ‘Why You're Fooled’ section that explains the science and history behind the ‘magic.’"
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0471315923/103-6024526-3045453?v=glance
Top
Book: Optical Illusions in Art
A richly illustrated, 32-page booklet, “Optical Illusions in Art,” by Alexander Sturgis, gives examples and explanations of perspective magic, the appearance of movement and hidden messages in distorted images in works by M. C. Escher, Holbein and many other artists in history, up to surrealists and op artists. There are directions for making your own optical illusions such as an anamorphic painting, which is a distorted picture that is transformed when viewed a certain way. Read reviews or purchase at:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1402706502/002-7421557-7433663?v=glance&st=*
Top
Software: Symphony Painting
Can MIT’s Tod Machover revolutionize music education with a mere toy? The composer and digital media expert has been grappling with this question for some time. He's already invented Hyperinstruments, which extend the sonic possibilities of traditional acoustic instruments, and his "Brain Opera'' in Vienna is a musical amusement park where you can produce your own ditties with an assortment of gadgets. Now, working with the Fisher-Price toy company, Machover has come up with Symphony Painter, musical composition software that allows children ages four and above to draw music and have it played through a hand-held device. Read his comments about creative experiments in an interview.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000088&sid=aqBZ31KbTu.E&refer=culture#
http://www.fisher-price.com/us/pixter/product.asp?id=30627
Top
Sound, Music and Science Books
(courtesy of Joe Alfano and Kevin Arnold, Minneapolis Public Schools):
Book: Ears
by Douglas Mathers. Troll Associates, Mahwah, NJ, 1992. Illustrated by Andrew Farmer and Robina Green.
Explains how the ears hear sound, maintain balance, and measure distance.
Book: Loud and Quiet
by Jack Challoner. Raintree Steck-Vaughn (Start-Up Science), Austin, TX, 1997.
Grades 2-4. Easy-to-read book on sound with easy activities.
Book: Making Sounds
by Julian Rowe and Molly Perham. Children's Press, Chicago, 1993.
Grades 2 4. Describes in simple words different sounds, how they are made, and how they travel.
Book: Rubber-Band Banjos and a Java Jive Bass
by Alex Sabbeth. John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1997. Illustrated by Laurel Aiello.
Grades 3-6. Projects and activities present the science of sound and music, including how sound is made, how the ears hear sound, and how different musical instruments are made.
Book: Using Sound
by Sally and Adrian Morgan. Facts on File (Designs in Science), New York, 1994. This book is part of a series, focusing on the link between design in nature and in technology. Topics in Using Sound include what is sound, sound waves, collecting sound waves.
Book: The Science Book of Sound
by Neil Ardley. Harcourt Brace and Company (Gulliver Books), New York, 1991.
Grades 3-4. What is sound and exciting activities to explain it.
Book: Science Magic With Sound
by Chris Oxlade. Barron's Educational Series, Hauppauge, New York, 1994.
Grades 3-6. A selection of fun and entertaining magic tricks that introduce students to the basic science principles of sound.
Book: Sound Science
by Etta Kaner. Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, 1991. Illustrated by Louise Phillips.
Grades 3-6. Explores the nature of sound through experiments, riddles, interesting facts, puzzles, and games.
Book: The Super Science Book of Sound
by David Glover. Thomson Learning, New York, 1994. Illustrated by Frances Lloyd.
Grades 3-6. A look at sound: waves, pitch, barrier, energy, echoes, ultrasound, instruments, and communication.
Book: Underwater Musicians
by D. M. Souza. Carolrhoda Books, Inc. (Creatures All Around Us), Minneapolis, 1998.
Grades 3-6. Introduces a large cast of noisemakers that send messages in the sea and describes how the sounds are produced and received, and the role sound plays in the life of these creatures. Shrimp, lobsters, seals, walruses, and giant whales are some of the underwater musicians introduced. Includes good color photos of the creatures.
Book: Poems Go Clang! A Collection of Noisy Verse
Illustrated by Debi Gliori. Candlewick Press, Cambridge, MA, 1997.
Grades 2-4. A collection of short poems celebrating sounds.
Top
|
|
