SO a few days ago I stumbled upon something super awesome that instantaneously inspired me to lesson brainstorm. Because my mind will not let me focus on anything else.. I need to write about it now. The tagline "Origami Microscope" pulled me in and the TEDTalk on this technology is great! The basic premise behind this new microscope is the use of folding paper and extremely well-designed and STURDY electrical components as well as lenses. Did I mention there are different levels of magnification that can be accomplished with each version of the scope?! I am so interested in this :)
The Foldscope has a 'trial offer' on their website where you can sign up to try out the Foldscope via email. And I definitely did that!
Just applied to try out a #foldscope THESE THINGS ARE SO COOL http://t.co/lAeclwn4gW #SCIENCE #art #alwaysretweetscience
— Breanne Kanak (@MsBreKArt) March 13, 2014
OR I could use the Foldscope at my summer camp job and show students the natural world around hem at camp! I really hope they let me try one out :)
Tiny Worlds
Why Microscopes?
I believe it is more important than ever to integrate subjects with creative making and learning. Using a Foldscope I would be able to introduce k-12 students to the microscopic world and uncover the possibilities of art production using science and discovery as inspiration. In addition, students would learn how to construct the microscope and I would open discussions to implications about world health, disease control, prevention etc - since that is the original nature of the technology as a functional asset to medical professionals.
Students should have some knowledge of the 'tiny worlds' that surround them in nature and in day-t-day life. I immediately thought of a lesson idea proposed to me by a friend who is majoring in Biology and Science Education - why not use the microscope as a tool for art? He suggested having students take photographs of what they see in the microscope and submitting those as art. Definitely an awesome idea and I wanted to expand upon that by having students also complete a painting of their findings.
The Foldscope would make this an easier task altogether because instead of trapping the image inside the lens of the scope, the image is projected! Students could trace the image onto a canvas or their painting surface and just GO.
Honestly I want to do this project myself and have been thinking more and more about it as a theme for my upper-level painting course/ individual art review. My family has had a lot of health issues in recent years and it could be a healing experience to put those individual ailments onto canvas - to declare them dead and gone. It's kind of morbid to think about when I look at the images, references, and plans I have but if I cannot connect with my work I do not want to bother with it. This is my brain on science, guys. Deal with it.
Objectives
- View photography by contemporary artists
- View microscopic samples using Foldscopes/microscopes
- Be able to construct Foldscope
- Classify different slides with samples
- Teach students about local plants and wildlife using microscope slides
- Teach students basic digital photography and photo editing
Key Concepts
- Nature and culture are full of diversity
- Nature informs (and inspires) culture
- Nature and culture interact with and impact each other
Essential Questions for Lesson
- How does nature impact culture positively? Negatively?
- How can we use photography to create a basis for other artwork? Is photography artwork on its own? How can working in iterations develop more complex ideas?
Lesson Plan
Tiny Worlds
Empowered Experiencing
Gather samples of natural materials from the local area (leaves, sticks nature artifacts). Discuss cellular structure of plants, animals, bacteria, and viruses. What you think your gathered objects' cells will look like under magnification? Why? Draw your ideas of what they might look like based on in-class discussions.
Comparison
Brainstorm ideas about the differences between animal and plant cells and why these differences exist. Think about the function of cells for each organism. Observe pre-existing samples and images of plant, virus, bacteria, and animal cells.
The Human Element
After viewing preexisting images and samples of cells discuss the impact of microorganisms on humans. We will discuss implications about world health, disease control, prevention etc - since that is the original nature of the technology (Foldscopes and microscopes) as a functional asset to medical professionals. Students will learn how to operate the Foldscopes and microscopes. Students will learn about basic digital photography to create their reference images and how to edit images for color corrections, saturation, hue, and brightness changes.
Artists and Resources
Gather
Gather samples of natural materials from the local area (leaves, sticks nature artifacts). Discuss cellular structure of plants, animals, bacteria, and viruses. What you think your gathered objects' cells will look like under magnification? Why? Draw your ideas of what they might look like based on in-class discussions. Brainstorm ideas about the differences between animal and plant cells and why these differences exist. Think about the function of cells for each organism. Observe pre-existing samples and images of plant, virus, bacteria, and animal cells.
Capture
Learn about basic photographic principles and learn to use microscope as a tool for photography. Foldscopes would make this task much easier because they project what is under the scope onto the wall. Students will use digital photography to capture the image of their cell/sample for the next iteration of the project: paintings. Students will learn basic photo editing in Photoshop and be able to modify saturation of their photography as well as focus, sharpness, hue, and other effects. The main goal is to develop an image that can be translated into a visually interesting painting. By observing the beauty- and imperfections - of nature students will begin to appreciate the tiny worlds that surround us.
Enlarge and Engage
Students will either project and draw or grid out their photograph onto a canvas/board. After creating the framework for their composition, students will begin painting. Students should keep in mind the use of color scheme, texture, arrangement, and focal points. Students should strive to recreate their image in paint but there is room for improvisation and embellishment.
Elaborate
Students are required to create a statement about their work. Where was the sample found? What is it (Plant, animal, other?) - Or maybe the object should be a mystery... I would leave it up to students. However, for my grading purposes I would have students write a statement about their work to turn in to me. Students would decide if they wanted to display their statement with the work.
Moving Forward
We will discuss implications about world health, disease control, prevention etc - since that is the original nature of the technology (Foldscopes and microscopes) as a functional asset to medical professionals. I want to include a bigger 'human element' with this project because disease and microbes are issues that effect all of humanity. Perhaps tying in a Skype call to another country and/or a different culture could build awareness for international disease control and prevention efforts. Ideas in mind: AIDs/HIV, clean water initiatives, epidemics, etc.
Other Iterations: Ceramic cells/viruses, mixed media collage, mixed media sculpture, diorama, mobiles.... There are a lot of different ways to talk about and recreate cell/microscopic structures.
I will be incorporating this lesson into my unit plan for sure! I love the idea of joining science and art together to form concrete understandings of objects which are often invisible to the naked eye. Students would in effect learn about ecosystems, food chains, cell structures, the aesthetic qualities of our natural world, and hopefully a little something about human health and wellness.
Nerding out and signing off,
Ms. Kanak
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