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All grades  Project 6 weeks

"Lens & Load: Parabolic Art Adventures"

Matthew M
CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-CO.A.2
CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-GPE.A.3
CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-CO.D.12
Self Directed Learning
Academic Mindset
+ 1 more
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Purpose

This learning experience immerses students in the intersection of mathematics, art, and personal reflection through the exploration of parabolas and quadratics using lenses. By engaging in hands-on activities and collaborative projects, students will create art pieces that challenge and expand their understanding of perspective. The project fosters critical thinking, self-directed learning, and academic mindset competencies, encouraging students to connect mathematical concepts with artistic expression and community engagement. Through partnerships with local art museums and photographers, students gain insights into the real-world application of forced perspective, culminating in an exhibition that showcases their unique interpretations and reflections.

Learning goals

Students will develop an understanding of quadratic functions and their transformations, exploring how these mathematical concepts apply to real-world scenarios through the use of lenses and geometry. They will create art pieces that utilize forced and anamorphic perspectives, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they experiment with different artistic techniques. By collaborating with community partners such as local art museums and photographers, students will deepen their comprehension of perspective, both artistically and personally, enhancing their self-directed learning and academic mindset.
Standards
  • [Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-CO.A.2 - Represent transformations in the plane using, e.g., transparencies and geometry software; describe transformations as functions that take points in the plane as inputs and give other points as outputs. Compare transformations that preserve distance and angle to those that do not (e.g., translation versus horizontal stretch).
  • [Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-GPE.A.3 - (+) Derive the equations of ellipses and hyperbolas given the foci, using the fact that the sum or difference of distances from the foci is constant.
  • [Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.HSG-CO.D.12 - Make formal geometric constructions with a variety of tools and methods (compass and straightedge, string, reflective devices, paper folding, dynamic geometric software, etc.). Copying a segment; copying an angle; bisecting a segment; bisecting an angle; constructing perpendicular lines, including the perpendicular bisector of a line segment; and constructing a line parallel to a given line through a point not on the line.
Competencies
  • Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
  • Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.

Products

Students will collaboratively create a series of art pieces that explore forced and anamorphic perspectives using parabolic lenses, integrating mathematical concepts such as quadratic functions and geometric transformations. These art pieces will be showcased in a culminating exhibition, featuring an anamorphic chalk art display, allowing students to present their understanding of perspective through visual storytelling. Throughout the project, students will develop individual portfolios documenting their creative process, mathematical explorations, and reflections on perspective, identity, and community.

Launch

Kick off the project with an interactive workshop where students experiment with various lenses to observe how they alter perspectives. Set up stations with different types of lenses and simple objects, allowing students to explore and document their observations. Follow this hands-on exploration with a discussion on how these changes in perspective can be applied to art and geometry, setting the stage for their upcoming creative projects.

Exhibition

Students will host an art show featuring their completed perspective pieces, including anamorphic chalk art installations. This exhibition will be open to the community and held at a local art museum, where students will present and discuss their work, explaining the mathematical and artistic processes behind their creations. Additionally, a collaborative workshop with invited photographers will allow students to showcase their understanding of perspective, engaging visitors in interactive discussions and activities.