An Arts Integration investigation into the mathematical design of mobiles.

Integrating the arts into the math curriculum is an innovative way to complement diverse learning styles.  Students at AAA have an interest in a variety of art majors and being able to make the connections between math content and their interest in the arts facilitates the real-life applications of what we are learning by tapping into those creative areas of the brain.  

In this lesson students have applied their learning of geometric principles to create mobiles, a kinetic visual art form originated by Alexander Calder.  In order for their mobile to balance, they had to use their knowledge of systems of equations and inverse variation to find the centroid of the pieces they had meticulously measured and cut in order to balance and create the hanging mobiles.  

This project also allows a teacher to illustrate the Fulcrum's Law in Physics.  The Mobile Project became a tangible illustration of these math concepts in practice and allowed students to not only see the interconnectedness of the discipline of mathematics  but also allowed students to  use creative thinking and artistic skills and personal expression as well.    

At AAA, teachers are encouraged to not teach our courses in isolation, but rather to help students find the interconnectedness of our subject to other subjects, especially the arts that fascinate each of our students and drew them to choose our school.