DIY Projector
SCHOOL PROGRAM LESSON PLAN–K to 3
DIY Projector
Final Project Description:
A handheld star map projector.
Description:
Using new and recycled materials, students will create their own star map and projector according to directions from an online blog (http://blog.imaginechildhood.com/imagine-childhood/2009/01/star-light-flashlight.html).
Curriculum Connections:
Visual Arts
identify personal preferences for artworks and describe their response to artworks
demonstrate safe and environmentally responsible use of materials, technologies, and processes
English Language Arts
engage in speaking and listening activities to share ideas about pictures, stories, information text, and experiences
Workshop Duration: 70 minutes
In Gallery: 10 minutes after the tour for discussion
In Studio: 10 minutes for instructions, 45 minutes to construct projector and make constellation map, 5 minutes for clean up and discussion and look at other’s work.
Prep:
Put out the name tags and markers on an atrium table
Set up a demo station in the center of the room with all steps of project
Scatter the constellation cards over a table for the students to select from
Set up each student’s seating area with the dry materials
Set up the painting materials on the far counter top to distribute as students are ready for them (last step)
Materials:
Cinefoil – one small 3”x3” piece per student
Small scrap paper – one 3”x3” per student
Awl
Black kraft paper (on the roll) – one 12”x12” piece per student
Recycled cardboard cut to shape – 3 pieces per student
Scissor
White pencil crayon
Glue sticks
Black masking tape
Small piece of regular masking tape + marker for name label
Glow-in-the-dark paint
Palettes
Small paintbrushes
Before students begin, have them write their name on a piece of masking tape to attach to their completed project.
10:50 – 11:00: Discussion
Conclude your gallery tour with HHABARE.
This project draws on two elements from this work: a handmade projector made using plans found online and images of the night sky or space.
Draw the student’s attention to the handmade elements, especially the projector. Talk about how Schmidt learned to make this by using instructions he found online. Explore the idea of “the commons” with the students. Do they know what this is?
The “commons” are the cultural and natural resources accessible to all members of a society, including natural materials such as air, water, and a habitable earth. These resources are held in common, not owned privately.
Through his work, Schmidt draws our attention to these cultural and natural resources held in common in our society – often looking about both the cultural and natural in the same work.
Ask the students what the common elements in this work are (projector/camera – cultural: DIY plans online; sky/universe/planet/space – natural)
11:00 – 11:45
Turn off the studio lights and demonstrate the star projector. Continue the conversation from the gallery about the commons. They will be making their own projector using plans from an online blog.
Talk about constellations. Do students know what these are? Who has some examples? Bring them over to the table with the constellation cards and ask them to choose one constellation to use for their projector.
Have students take their seats and walk them through the steps of the project using your demo station. Enlist parent and teacher help as necessary.
STEP 1
Begin by making their own drawing of their chosen constellation on the small piece of scrap paper. Demonstrate how to hold their drawing together with the cinefoil and use their awls to poke holes through the dots (stars) to make holes in the cinefoil (***have parents/teachers help here to prevent stabbing injuries***). Set aside and move to step two.
STEP 2
Have the students take the three pieces of cardboard and the black craft paper. Demonstrate how to trace the cardboard pieces on the black paper using the white pencil. Students should make three tracings, cut them out and glue to the cardboard pieces using the glue stick.
STEP 3
Using the black masking tape, demonstrate how to tape the cardboard pieces together into a triangular shape and then how to attach the cinefoil to the larger end.
STEP 4 (optional, if running short on time, have the teacher do this back at school)
Ask for the teachers and parents to distribute the glow-in-the-dark paints, palettes, brushes, water and napkins while you talk to the kids about how they can now decorate the outside of their projectors with glow-in-the-dark images of the night sky.
11:45
Ten minute warning! Students will have ten more minutes to complete their work.
11:55 – 12:00
As students complete their projectors, have them put the completed artworks on a clean table by the white wall (make sure their names are attached to the bottom with tape) and ask them to clean up their stations and wash their hands.
Once everyone is finished and cleaned up, break them up into groups to go into the dark rooms to try out their projectors. Draw them into conversation: what was fun, hard, frustrating, exciting? What do they like about each other’s work?
They’re adorable! Get a picture of them with their projectors.
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS:
Projector instructions: http://blog.imaginechildhood.com/imagine-childhood/2009/01/star-light-flashlight.html
Constellation cards: http://liebacklookup.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/constellation-cards3.pdf