Art With Science: 8 Weeks of Elementary Art and Observing Nature (3-5)

This 8-week, elementary art course is a deeper dive into art with science for advanced beginner artists.  There are no live meetings for this course; rather, students learn independently from interactive video lectures on Edpuzzle, instructional art videos, and museum websites for kids. During this course, learners will explore artworks, learn and practice new skills, and create artworks. Some art experience is helpful but not required for this course.

Topics We Will Cover:  Each week, we will explore a theme in art including paper engineering, architecture, and portraiture.  Observation of nature in science and in art is an overarching theme.  Ancient Egyptian sculpture, prehistoric cave art, and scientific illustration are some of our inspiration.  Cross-curricular content in science and math appears in every lesson.  Learners will be making drawings, paintings, collages, and sculpture using their own ideas.  The course wraps up with a fun, DIY black light art session (and a lesson on wavelengths of light!).

What to Expect:  Every week begins with an artwork and using the Visual Thinking Strategy, learners interpret art on their own first, developing confidence and visual literacy.  I share the story behind the artworks during an interactive Edpuzzle lecture, followed by a skill-learning and practice video. These include instruction in drawing and painting, sculpture, and paper engineering techniques.

Learners tie the theme and their new skills together in the final project for each week.  These are open-ended visual problems, encouraging choice and individual expression.  I provide options for artists who want more specific directions, and ones who are more independent.  Each week, I also share optional enrichment and extension links on related topics in art, art history, and science.