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Bitesize Science: Mint Tin Dioramas

Patrick Benfield

Grade Level

Join Nick and Bailey for a HUGE live print! They’ll share their Top 5 Tips for successful Passthrough printing.

3,4,5, and 6

Difficulty

Intermediate

Join Nick and Bailey for a HUGE live print! They’ll share their Top 5 Tips for successful Passthrough printing.

Duration

2 Hours

Subjects

Science Art Design Social Studies Language Arts

Standards

ISTE 1.1: Empowered Learner

Students understand the fundamental concepts of technology operations, demonstrate the ability to choose, use and troubleshoot current technologies and are able to transfer their knowledge to explore emerging technologies.

ISTE 1.6: Creative Communicators

Students choose the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication.

Vocab

Foreground MIdground Background Iteration

Licensing

Overview

In this activity, students will work collaboratively to design and create a hand drawn, miniature diorama depicting various geological periods. These dioramas can then be placed and displayed in mini mint tin containers.

Objective

Thematic Questions:

· What geological conditions contributed to changes in the environment over time? · How do complex interactions between geologic phenomena influence environmental conditions?

Outcomes

Students will...

· Design a visual depiction of a geologic period. · Collaborate with their partners to determine the designed elements. · Present their creation and explain the key geological features of the period.

Standards:

ISTE Standards for Students 1. Innovative Designer– Students use a variety of technologies within a design process to identify and solve problems by creating new, useful or imaginative solutions. 2. Creative Communicator– Students communicate clearly and express themselves creatively for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats and digital media appropriate to their goals.

Supplies

Lesson Outline:

Get Ready:

1. Read through the guide and get familiarized with the steps, materials, and procedures for the activity.

2. Gather the materials needed for the prototypes and final version of student designs: corrugated cardboard for prototyping, and draft board for the final.

3. Read through the guide and get familiarized with the steps, materials, and procedures for the activity.

Production Time:

Print - Approximately 4 minutes for each group's completed Design Template. Assembly - 30 minutes for each group to color, glue, and assemble their design.

Lesson Instructions

For students who can use the Glowforge app on their own…

Section 1 - Introduction

  1. Before getting started, plan on demonstrating how to work with the Design Template.
  2. Distribute several copies of the Design Template to each group, and allow time for students to practice their technique.
  3. Students should design a foreground, middleground, and background that depict the flora, fauna, and environment appropriate for their geologic period.

Section 2 - Prototype, Test, Iterate

  1. With the Trace tool, students will capture their images with the Glowforge.
  2. Next, students will insert the provided cardboard and apply the correct settings then print their design.
  3. Students will most likely need to iterate on their designs as they test their ideas and images.
  4. Once they are satisfied with all of the elements, then they can begin to create their final version.

Section 3 - Make

  1. Using their final design, students will insert their sheet of draftboard and print.
  2. Once completed, students will begin coloring the layers of the diorama.
  3. The final step is to adhere the layers together.
  4. Optional: place the finished design into the provided mint tin.

Reflection Questions

Help students consider…

  • How did the constraints (size and materials) impact your design choices?
  • What else could you design that would help to depict or demonstrate science concepts?

Pro Tips

· Practice working with the Design Template before demonstrating the process with students. · Have students experiment with changing the order for the fore, middle, and background objects. · Trace individual layers - more consistent captures. · Don't trace details: they can be added later and saves time of engraving

Reimagine

  • How can the Design Template and diorama be remixed for other content areas, such as social studies, language arts, math, and art?
  • Consider having students customize and create their own personalized dioramas that are based on their favorite story, hero, or other interest.

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