Four sixth graders worked after school to take their grade's Art Tech robotics challenge to the next level.  They wanted to see how many of the target objects they could program their robot to "eat"!  Watch the video below to find out.

The main robotics goal for sixth graders in art tech class is to program their team's robot to follow the edge of a black line and throw three target objects into the robot's catcher box.  Each group of 3 or 4 students works with a Lego Education EV3 robot which was built by sixth graders. The robots use color sensors to detect the degree of light intensity reflected from their table's surface.  Students program their robots to use color sensor readings to adjust drive motor speeds so the robots will move along the edge of a black line.  Students write programming code with the EV3 Classroom app on their iPads.

​This week's student art features work from various grade levels.  Seventh grade crucifix images combine hand-drawing with the electronic tools of the Sketchbook iPad app.  The areas within the cross shape around Jesus show people and things for which the artists are thankful.

​Two videos (see below) show the 6G and 6W classes at work with their autonomous EV3 robots. These videos provide a glimpse of our students at work in the art-related field of engineering.  Students work in teams of three or four to program and test their robots.  Sixth graders who chose to work after school on Fridays and during some of their study halls built the robots according to specifications.  The students assigned to each table created a paper "catcher" box to mount on their robot.  Students use the EV3 Classroom app on their iPads for programming their robots to follow a line, pick up three objects, and return to base.  Students copied a code example which they are modifying so it will run successfully on their team's course.   All eight courses have different travel distances, so each team must develop different code for its robot.    As students test their code, they consider the changes that need to be made.  Some students are shown making videos to record their team's progress.   

Mr. Bell's 8th grade Art Tech classes have been creating cat masks that are intended for use in video and drama work in Mrs. Wright's Fine Arts classes.  These photos show students from the 8B and 8H classes who have finished their masks. The base structure of the masks are paper plates that students marked, folded, and cut to create symmetrical forms.  The nose structure consists of a paper tripod with a triangular top for the nose.  The elevated surface contours of the face and ears were sculpted with wadded paper towel and tape.  The masks have a skin of paper mache and paint. The whiskers are wire pipe cleaners that were cut with wire cutters and secured with glue in holes made in the face. Some of the masks still have hanging hooks which will be removed prior to use in video or drama productions.

The video below shows a 3D view of an outstanding cat mask by an 8th grader and example models that Mr. Bell made to help students start the mask project.

Cross images by seventh grade art tech students combine hand-drawn art with coloring and shapes created using the Sketchbook app on iPads. Students observed photos of the San Damiano Crucifix as they drew the figure of Jesus and the general shape of the cross. In the areas around Jesus and within the cross shape, students have drawn people, things, and places for which they are grateful. Designs outside the crosses were inspired by stained-glass windows of churches.

Sixth graders have been working with the drawing and design tools of the Sketchbook app on their iPads. These sketchbook images emphasize the use of the "distort" tool and incorporate screenshots from robot code and iPad screens. ​

Second grade art students have been building paper and cardboard cross sculptures that they will use in the 8th Grade Saints Program on November 4th in the church.  Second graders will march into the church with their prayer partners and place their colorful crosses on the steps of the altar.  For this 3D design and construction project, students roll tubes of cardstock around wooden cylinders to build their cross forms.  Students learn techniques for measurement, securing the components with tape, and for reinforcing the structure as needed.  The goal for November 4th is to complete a cardstock skin for the cardboard base and to make flower-like paper tassels that extend from the ends of the upper portion of the cross.  After November 4th, students will begin to apply paper mache to their crosses.  Teamwork is an important aspect of this project, as students frequently help each other accomplish project goals. 

The cross images by seventh graders combine photos of students' hand-drawn art with coloring and shapes created using the Sketchbook app on iPads.  Students observed photos of the San Damiano Crucifix as they drew the figure of Jesus and the general shape of the cross.  In the areas around Jesus and within the cross shape, students have drawn people, things, and places that they are thankful for.  The designs of the areas outside the crosses were inspired by stained-glass windows of churches.

As an interlude between long-term projects, sixth grade art tech students have been experimenting with the drawing and design tools of the Sketchbook app on their iPads.  Many students were inspired by the kaleidoscopic effects they could create with the symmetry tool of the app. 

​This week's student work from the art room features projects by 4th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. 

Fourth graders are shown with sailboats that they have built with paper, tape and drinking straws.  The hulls and paper mast supports of the boats require precise folding and measurements.  Soon students will create a wave-like base with paper and cardboard upon which their boats will rest.  The boats and waves will be given a colorful paper mache skin.  

Sixth graders have just finished a cell illustration project that reinforces science class content.

The cross images by seventh graders are personalized versions of the San Damiano Crucifix.  They combine photos of students' hand-drawn art with coloring and shapes created with the Sketchbook app on iPads.  In the areas around Jesus and within the cross shape, students have drawn people, things, and places that they are thankful for.  The designs of the areas outside the crosses were inspired by stained-glass windows of churches. 

Eighth graders Ava, Patrick, and Hayes are shown modeling their recently constructed cat masks.  Soon, eighth graders will be singing a cat-themed song while wearing their masks!  

In Art Tech class, 6th graders have been drawing plant and animal cells and labelling photos of their drawings with the Sketchbook app on their iPads.  After they work with robots and robotic coding for a few weeks, they will design and sew cloth pillows that are patterned after their cells.

In Art Tech class, 6th graders have been drawing plant and animal cells and labelling photos of their drawings with the Sketchbook app on their iPads.  This work combines scientific illustration with graphic design in a STREAM project which reinforces middle school science content.  STREAM refers to an approach to teaching involving science, technology, religion, engineering, art, and math.  This cell project directly addresses science, technology, and art.  Our religious faith is part of all that we do at Saint Peter, so it is part of every project and class, even when a specific lesson does not directly include religion course content.  ​

Seventh grade art students are currently working on a project related to the San Damiano Cross.  This original iconic crucifix painting was created by an unknown artist, possibly a Syrian monk, in Umbria, Italy in the early 1100's.  Saint Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) is said to have been praying before the large wooden cross where it was hanging in an abandoned chapel which had fallen into ruin near Assisi, Italy.  While praying, he heard the voice of God commanding him to "rebuild my church".  (Sources: franciscanmissionservice.org and monasteryicons.com) 

The students' drawings of Jesus on the shape of the San Damiano cross (shown here) are the first stage of a long-term art project.  The next step will be to draw people, things, and places that they are thankful for in the space of the cross surrounding Jesus.    Students will color their drawings and then cut away the paper outside the shape of the cross.  Each student will glue their colored crucifix image to a piece of 9 x12-inch black paper.  Pieces of colored card stock will be glued to the black paper in a way that simulates a stained glass window. Thin areas of the black paper will be left between the pieces of colored paper.  Thus, the final images will be of each student's personalized version of the cross surrounded by a stained glass window.    

Mr. Bell's 8th grade Art Tech classes are currently creating cat masks that they will be using in video and drama work in Mrs. Wright's Fine Arts classes.  The 8B class photo, which was taken during the second week of school, shows the paper base structure of the head.  The 8H photo, taken during the third week, shows the masks with noses.  Students are in the process of sculpting the surface contours of the faces with white paper towel and tape.  Soon, a colorful skin of paper mache, paint, and glitter glue will be added.  Whiskers can be created using various possible materials.  When the masks are nearly complete, students will create headbands so they can wear their creations as they sing and speak.  These masks will serve as catalysts for some exciting video and dramatic productions.