Math & Science in the
Art Classroom
HOW I T WORKS
The two areas of focus for this program are
studio and computer art. One studio class is
devoted to three-dimensional fractal model
building. This 3D branch is integrated through
the computer component. Each student project
is documented digitally and printed for
exhibition. This subject is interdisciplinary, based on
discussions of mathematics and science. Much
of the focus is on structural elements describing
numeric values and algorithms in a visual sense.
Students understand steps for computation and measurement in
design through instruction and independent discovery. The teacher
researches and makes instructional materials
with Tinker Toy and Zome System model kits.
For the studio art class, areas of study are:
centering a six-inch square on a page
(cropping) with the use of basic arithmetic
algorithms; perspective drawing; architectural
rendering; color circles (color theory);
construction of regular polygons; study of
the structure of numbers in nature and classical
mathematics; construction of polyhedra; the five Platonic
solids; art forms in nature; climbing plants and
landscapes; and wildlife animals. The students
gain a range of experience from subject matter to basic math skills as
related to art assignments. Some concepts introduced
were more advanced. Technical drawing skills
include: measuring, computing for technical
drawings, drawing to scale at an arm’s length,
rendering, printing, hatching, cross-hatching,
smoothing, rubbing transfers, and color coding
palette.
THE STUDENTS
Unity High School is part of the Manhattan
Alternative Superintendency. It is an alternative
high school serving educationally
disadvantaged “at-risk” adolescents.
THE STAFF
Clifford Singer has taught MQ1—MQ6 in the
Manhattan high schools along with engineering
and architectural drawing and applications in
two-dimensional design. In 1992, while working
in a private Special Education high school, he
became Director of Mathematics and Science.
He has been the Program Chair and Art Teacher at Unity
High School and has continued his curriculum development. He has
lectured in a number of international conferences
and curated an exhibition of mathematical art at
the Cooper Union, Albert Nerken School of Engineering, entitled Art & Mathematics 2000.
WHAT YOU
NEED
The computer lab in room 412 at Unity High
School is the main location for the computer art
class. A lab equipped with a scanner, color
printer, Paint program, and Photoshop is a good
start. The books used for the class are Fractals
For The Classroom, Part One and Part Two
(Springer-Verlag) and Mathematical Quilts (Key
Curriculum Press). There are various other
teacher-selected resources for the class. Art
Forms in Nature by Ernst Haackel is a resource
book for the class.
OVERALL VALUE
The creative and effective use of mathematics,
science, and technology along with integrated
curriculum helps develop many skills for
students. The result is similar to the way students
abstract their understanding in music
education. We find visual mathematics with
colors relates in fascinating ways to music and the
way students learn. This is of great value to
students studying visual art.
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