Our site will be under maintenance on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 from 6pm EST until midnight. Thanks for your patience!

« Return to AACT homepage

AACT Member-Only Content

You have to be an AACT member to access this content, but good news: anyone can join!

Need Help?

Chemistry and Art Exhibition Mark as Favorite (14 Favorites)

PROJECT in Interdisciplinary, Culminating Project. Last updated March 25, 2020.

Summary

In this project, students will use chemistry techniques to construct a piece of artwork.

Grade Level

High school

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to

  • Understand how chemistry is used in certain art techniques.

Chemistry Topics

This lesson supports students’ understanding of

  • Chemistry basics

Time

Teacher Preparation:

2 hours

Lesson:

3 days

Materials

  • Dependent on student projects

Safety

  • No specific safety precautions need to be noted.

Teacher Notes

  • Inspired by the Active Chemistry “Chemist as Artist” unit, it is one of the most memorable, but also chemically fascinating units I do with students. They see real connections between the chemistry they are learning and how both chemists and artists manipulate materials for a purpose.
  • Suggested timeline (with other activities happening on blank days)
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

Exhibition Intro

HW: Proposal

Due: Proposal

Start Artwork

Continue Artwork

Finish
Artwork

Due: Placard Draft Start
Roundtable
Prep
Continue Roundtable Prep Last Day of Roundtable Prep CHEM
ROUND
TABLES

For the Student

For the Student

Lesson

Purpose

  • Construct a piece of artwork by effectively using three techniques studied in class.
  • Prepare a typed Placard describing your artwork (and the chemistry behind it)

Techniques & Materials

Air-dry Clay

  • Wire & Tools for Sculpting

Making Steel Alloy

  • for making steel
  • Bunsen Burner
  • Beaker of H2O

Electroplating Metals

  • Cu Metal & CuSO4
  • Power Supply
  • Alligator clips


Making Paint

  • Different color Tempera Paint (egg-binder)

Assessment Criteria

ARTWORK
Creativity, Expression, Effort 10%
Proficient Use of Techniques 30%
Human Connection / Function

10%

PLACARD
Description of Your Artwork 15%
Explanation of Techniques 15%
Chemistry & Art Connection 20%

________________
Teacher’s Initials

You must COMPLETE your proposal and submit it for approval BEFORE you can start making your artwork.

Artwork Proposal: Make a DETAILED sketch of your piece of artwork.

_____________________________________________________

Title of Your Artwork

ADD CHECKLIST TO THIS PROPOSAL SO ALL THREE TECHNIQUES ARE INCLUDED

What is the inspiration for your artwork? Where did you get your idea? Describe the human connection of your artwork? Elaborate on an idea(s) from below.

  • Have a function
  • Create a mood
  • Represent the artist
  • Represent culture
  • Represent a time period
  • Be pleasing to the eye
  • Inspire emotion
  • Have a purpose