#NWA Maker Days

Arkansas Arts Academy Elementary School is PROUD to be a participant in the Scott Family Amazeum's inaugural 2022 NWA Maker Days event!

What exactly is NWA Maker Days? It is a week-long celebration of the incredible making and tinkering that happens in schools across Northwest Arkansas. During the week of May 7-14, 2022 multiple schools across NWA participate in school-wide making activity, hosting a STEAM event, or offering maker clubs. Each school takes pictures and videos that are shared on social media using the hashtag #NWAMakerDays. The community can also follow along on social media to celebrate and be inspired by what each school is doing. NWA Maker Days is a collection of individual maker moments that come together to show the impact of innovative, authentic learning to NWA.

MEET THE AAA EDU-MAKERS & THEIR STEAM PROJECTS!

Ms. Mai Le's Coding Classes

Smart Students create Smart Watches

5th/6th Graders in Ms. Mai Le's coding classes planned, programmed and designed their own digital smartwatch! Using a block-based programming language the students learned how to use conditionals to program buttons and set time. They also composed and printed their own set of instructions and embedded a simulation of their watch on their digital portfolios. Each student has included a customized mindfulness and fitness activity on their watch.

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HOW DO THEY WORK?

Press play and allow our extraordinary coder Aiden to explain.

Mrs. Racher & Mr. Jones as the Hydro-Dippers

Hydro dipping is a method of applying color patterns to objects by applying hydrophobic paints on the surface of the water. Paint (typically in the form of an aerosal) is sprayed onto the water’s surface. An object is then submerged allowing the paint to cover the object evenly.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND HYDRO DIPPING

Oil based paint is hydrophobic, meaning that the paint does not mix with water. Unlike water-based paints, such as watercolors or acrylics, oil based paints will rest on the surface of the water creating a film-like layer. Because the paint is hydrophobic and designed to permanently stick to objects quickly but not dissolve in water, the layer of film will bind to the object when it is submerged.The surface tension of the water keeps the paint stable as the object is pushed through. The surface tension of the water also helps to pull the paint towards the object as it moves through the paint, providing an even coat of color(s).

SURFACE TENSION

Water has a high surface tension because water molecules gather closely at the surface creating a thin barrier. You experience surface tension when you "belly flop" into a pool- there is a resistance on the surface. It's also the reason certain insects can glide on the water's surface and not sink.

DENSITY

Water is more dense than the spray paint used in hydro dip painting, therfore the paint floats on top of the water's surface instead of mixing with it. This causes the effect we see on the finished product.

TEMPERATURE AND DENSITY

Warm water is needed to hydro dip. Molecules speed up and become further apart when heated, decreasing density. Therefore, the outcome of the application depends on the temperature of the water being correct to allow for the right density.

VOLUME AND WEIGHT

This activity highlights the difference between volume and weight. Volume is the quantity of space occupied, and the same volume of two different substances that have different weights.

HYDRO DIPPING SUPPLY LIST

A large bucket or plastic container
Three to five cans of spray paint in different colors
Plastic sheeting
Spray sealant
A wooden stick or paint stir
Rubber gloves
Object(s) to be "dipped"

HYDRO DIPPING PROCESS

Make sure the item you will be dipping has a base coat of paint.(It’s best to do this step ahead of your presentation in class)
Determine your Hydro dipping space. Outside is best or a well ventilated area as you are working with spray paint. Prepare the space with plastic sheeting or paint tarps as there is potential for spills and overspray.
Fill the plastic container three-quarters of the way with warm water (make sure that all items to be dipped fit in this container).
Spray the paints onto the water’s surface and swirl it together with a wooden stick or paint stir.
Dip your object into the water and paint and allow it to dry.
Spray sealant on to the item to hold the paint in place.

Commander Debbie Benton's EGG-naut Drop

SCIENCE IS EGG-citing

Students in Mrs. Benton's science classes have been learning about space. In fact, many of the class attended Space Camp in Alabama this month. Upon their return each student began designing their own space capsule. The design of the craft had to protect an egg from a 20 foot drop.

Team Wookie

Team Jedi

Team Ewok

Team Droid

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Joelius Taylorius & Maximus Jonesus as Antiquity Coin Casters

Students in Mr. Taylor's Social Studies classes are learning about the Greek and Roman civilizations. As part of an arts integration project Mr. Taylor and Mr. Jones come up with an activity in which students would learn an ancient casting technique to create Roman coins!

CUTTLEFISH CASTING

What could be more safe and educational than having 6th grade students make art from the remains of dead fish and liquified metal the temperature of molten lava, right?

Well, we are an art school... and... we did learn this casting technique from our partnering museum Amazeum so it has to be amazing! Check out the process and the incredible results the student produced!

CUTTLEFISH? REALLY?

Yes. Really. But it's not what you think. We aren't harvesting cephalodods from Beaver lake to use in the classroom. These are marine molluscs that live in the ocean. When a cuttlefish dies their remains are found on beaches and collected for a variety of uses. In fact, you might be surprised to know how common cuttlefish bones are used. If you have a pet parakeet or other type of parrot species, the oval shaped object that the birds use to sharpen their beaks are cuttlefish bones.

PROCESS: similar to the lost wax technique, but is an older process and incorporates the use of cuttlefish bones to create the mold for the and melted metal.

First you need cuttlefish bones. Since we are not near an ocean you can order them in bulk (be sure to order at least 25 extra as they are fragile and some will break during shipping).

If you want to experiment with the process before purchasing a large number you can buy single or small packs at a local pet store.

You will then cut the cuttlefish bones in half. I found that a coping saw was much easier than an electric band saw. Once you have a section of the cuttle fish you will then need to split the bone into halves. The soft interior is what students will carve out as a mold.

While the cuttlefish bones are being prepped, students will need to create a design. Casting is similar to printmaking, therefore students must know that their design must be carved in reverse, very important if letters and characters are to be incorprated.

I encourage the design to be created on a piece of paper that will be the actual size of the object to be cast. The sketch can be layed on top of the bone and "traced" using a toothpick.

Details and carvings can be made after the general design has been traced. After the design has been carved on one side of the cuttlefish bone a channel needs to be carved from the edge of the bone to the design. This will serve as a pouring channel for the metal. It needs to be large enough for the consistency of syrup to be poured.

Once the carving is complete secure the bone halves together with wire to prevent the liquid metal from seeping between the halves.

For the casting process be sure to use lead free metal. Pewter melts quickly and has a beautiful patina. You will need a pot to melt the metal. The model I use is a Do-It molds Hot Pot 2.

We used small aluminum backing trays filled with sand to allow the cuttlefish bone to stand upright for the pouring as well as catch any over spill.

Once the metal has melted, which it will do very quickly, you are ready to pour. Gently pour the liquid metal into the channel and fill until the mold is full.

Allow plenty of time for cooling. It takes about 30 minutes for the metal to cool to a temperature that you can then see how your casting turned out. The substance of the cuttlefish bone adds a nice organic texture to the casting.

Once the metal has cooled completely you can pull the metal cast from the cuttlefish bone mold. Use pliers to break off the pouring channel and use sandpaper to smoth any rough edges.