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Synopsis of Bridges: Inspired by Nature
byKaren YarnallThis unit is designed to spark students' interest in and appreciation of bridges. Through the suggested activities in this unit, students will develop an understanding of the rationale for creating bridges, study bridges in their historical contexts and follow the development of new ideas, techniques, processes, materials and other considerations for the building of bridges. They will become aware of bridges as paths of travel that impact the communities that they connect. Architect and artist Santiago Calatrava will be studied because of the way that he has incorporated the principles of structures found in nature (such as a leaf) into the design of some of his architectural structures. Calatrava will serve as an inspiration for the students. The students will build their own individual bridges that have been inspired by nature, assessing both their own and those of their peers. This unit will culminate with an art exhibit of the students' bridges and their drawn plans on graph paper. Even though this unit has been created for high school 3-D Design art students, it can be adapted for use in other disciplines, particularly those of science and math, and other grade levels.
(Developed for 3-D Design and Art, grades 9-12; recommended for Art, grades 7-12)
Comments (2)
- Susan Mitchell Hechter (Retired Teacher, Newark, DE)
Subject taught: Science/Health, Grade: 79
Karen Yarnall
Sounds like an appealingly appropriate project for High School.
- Damian Nash (Kauai High School, Lihue, HI)
Subject taught: CTE Engineering Technology, Grade: HS
Extraordinary Resource!
Karen Yarnall has absolutely captured the magic of the same curriculum theme that I have been using in my IET Core classes at Kauai High School. Her arts-integration approach to bridge design leads students into a mathematical appreciation of the natural world and also the world of design. This is the way that Calatrava should be understood and appreciated! Well done. Bravo! Her lesson plans will significantly improve my own. I wish I could borrow her PowerPoint slide shows as well.
Damian Nash