Art Bot STEAM Challenge

I wrote and received an ABC/25 grant for an engineering and art integrated project that will challenge students to create small drawing machines that will move on their own with a battery powered vibrating motor. These little ART BOTS will be constructed from lightweight foam, markers, a battery operated electric toothbrush then decorated with wiggle eyes, pipe cleaners and other craft items. Students will work collaboratively in groups of 4 to make one ART BOT and use it to create their own piece of abstract art. The initial year of implementation will be with the entire 5th grade. Since the grant includes recyclable batteries and a recharger, the bots will be deconstructed and rebuilt by next years’ 5th grade students to make this a multi-year school-wide grant. 

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Above is the video that I modeled this project after. It turns out that the toothbrushes we purchased are designed differently and pose new challenges. So, I experimented with a few different designs to see what works best. I found some sets of lego wheels in my stash of stuff and added it to each kit as an option. Can't wait to see what our engineers/artists come up with soon. Below is a copy of my grant for your reference.

5-1 Art Bot Engineers at work:

5-2 Art Bot Engineers

5-3 Art Bot Engineers

5-4 Art Bot Engineers

This group was given dollar store personal fans as well as toothbrushes.

Each table received these supplies to make an artbot

Engineers with their Inventions and the Art it Created

When the inventing and art-making were complete students posed with their art bots. We photographed the abstract piece of art it created and framed it digitally. Then students used their iPads and the superimpose app to layer the two images together. This was uploaded to their portfolio on Artsonia with an artist statement that explained the process and their thoughts about whether the results were really art.
View their gallery here.

This classic Fugleflick can help you ponder the age-old question, "What is Art?" 
These fifth graders thought it reminded them of the abstract expressionism found in the 1940's-1960's like that of Jackson Pollock. Make one digitally here.

I AM ART from Tricia Fuglestad on Vimeo.

Our Art Bots Celebrated by ABC/25

This video montage is of all ABC/25 grant recipients and the items they purchased throughout the district. Watch the way they end this video...oh so cute!