CMDS STEAM Fair 2022
Oh, the Places You’ll Go! The 2022 CMDS STEAM Fair was inspired by the Dr. Seuss classic. Each grade level traveled to a country and created an art project for display that was representative of the country’s culture. Various STEAM stations and other components enhanced the theme, and the decor was embellished with lots of elements from the story book, including the hot air balloons and beloved elephants. Take a look at the photos and captions below for a more detailed look at the projects for each grade level, 2K through 6th grade.
6th Grade: India
Indian Loom Weaving
Sixth grade students studied India and the art of loom weaving. Indian loom weavings can be traced back to 2750 BCE. Looms were typically made for royalty. The designs were vibrant, diverse and contained many colors. They were also known as signs of good luck. The students used a traditional weaving technique to create the beautiful looms you see before you!
5th Grade: United States
United States National Parks (Oversized Postcards)
Welcome to the land of the free and the home of the brave! Students studied the United States National Parks, observing the beautiful colors and landscapes of nature. Inspired by their studies, students created oversized postcards, creating captivating canvases of various landforms, waterfalls, and sunsets.
4th Grade: Brazil
Brazilian Rainforest 3D Layering
Students used self-created leaf layers for a beautiful abstract background. The students then painted the animal of their choice and used a a pop-up method to make the animal appear 3D as if it is coming out of a bush. Finally, they added a splash of glitter and shine to complete their beautiful pieces.
3rd Grade: Italy
Italian Fresco Paintings
Third grade students studied ancient Italian renaissance paintings (i.e., Michaelangelo’s Sistine Chapel). Students made their own plaster and used mixed media to create the landscapes of their choice. The students then broke the plaster to make it appear ancient. They then sealed them back together constructing beautiful Fresco masterpieces!
2nd Grade: Greece
Greek Mosaic Cobblestone
The beautiful art of Ancient Greece was one of the earliest arts forms documented. The students studied the gorgeous art forms of Greek mosaics. Using glass and clay, the students created their own versions of mosaic cobblestones. The students used glass and clay to make these pieces.
1st Grade: China
Chinese Lanterns
Students studied the uniqueness of Chinese symbolism in their art. Students used printmaking of Koi fishes, Chinese dragons, and Cherry Blossom trees to create amazing Chinese lanterns, using a mixture of warm and cool colors.
SK: Ivory Coast
“Adinkra” Hoops
“Adinkra” is the name given to the colorful, hand-stamped and hand-embroidered cloths worn by African people along the Ivory Coast. These symbols told stories, represented family or described themselves. Senior Kindergarteners chose a symbol that they drew on a soft-cut block. Together with Mrs. Russell, each child carved his or her symbol to create a stamp. Students chose two colors of ink to print their stamps onto muslin which resulted in beautiful patterns.
JK: Australia
Australian Aboriginal Dot Art
Aboriginal Australians created their own unique form of art using dots to depict animals, symbols and dreams. They used items found in nature such as sticks, leaves and bark to make the dots. JK students painted their ceramic tiles black to draw the focus to the dots. After imprinting their handprints into clay, students carefully made outlines of dots using a cool or warm color palette. This took a lot of concentration and a steady hand. Lastly, they added gold and silver leaf to their handprint before it was resined.
PK: Mexico
Aztec Suns
In ancient Mexico, the Aztec people used the sun as their calendar and indication of time. It was also a common symbol in their art. PK students used many steps to create their Aztec suns. They painted paper, cut facial features and added detail with oil pastels and jewels. Lastly, each child learned how many trips around the sun they had taken based on their ages.
2K: Hawaii
Sea Turtles
2K students studied Hawaii in GPS and learned about sea turtles. There are five species of sea turtles that live in Hawaii. In Polynesian culture they symbolize good luck. Our 2K artists molded air-dry clay to form a shell, four fins, and a head. They added mosaic tiles and beads to make the shell bumpy, and then they painted the turtle with shades of green. They look amazing!
