0% Funded
Only $162.00 Needed
The overall purpose of this project is to enhance the existing ceramics program by integrating an extruder kit with the pug mill machine, creating an interdisciplinary STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) experience for students. This addresses several key needs:
Need for efficiency in clay preparation: Manually preparing clay for hand-building projects is time-consuming and often yields inconsistent results, which limits the time students have for creative work. The extruder kit will mechanize the clay-shaping process, allowing for the rapid production of uniform coils, tubes, and other forms.
Need for cross-disciplinary learning: By combining the use of the pug mill and extruder (engineering and technology) with creative hand-building techniques (art and design), the project addresses the need for a more integrated STEAM curriculum.Need for modern, technical skills: This project introduces students to the industrial processes used in ceramic manufacturing, giving them exposure to modern tools and advanced techniques beyond traditional methods. This provides valuable technical skills for students interested in a variety of design or fabrication careers.
Need for creative expansion: The extruder kit provides an expansive toolkit of shapes and possibilities, enabling students to move beyond basic hand-building techniques and explore more complex, architectural, and innovative ceramic forms.
Learning Aids - Sunshine state book sets, robotics kits, puzzle boards, science models, engineering supplies, etc.
This project involves purchasing and integrating a new, high-quality extruder kit for the existing ceramics pug mill machine. The project is a STEAM-focused initiative designed to empower students to engage with the technical and mechanical aspects of ceramic production while expanding their artistic possibilities. The project is not just about a new piece of equipment, but about creating new, structured learning modules and activities around its use. Project activities will include:
Module 1: Machine and material fundamentals. Students will be introduced to the pug mill and extruder, learning how to safely operate, clean, and maintain the equipment. They will also learn about the material science of clay, understanding how variables like moisture and particle size affect the extrusion process.
Module 2: Die design and engineering. Students will explore the principles of design and engineering by creating their own custom extrusion dies. This can involve 3D printing their designs or hand-cutting them from templates, providing an opportunity for interdisciplinary skill development.
Module 3: Modular and architectural hand-building. Using the uniformly extruded clay coils and shapes, students will construct complex sculptural or functional pieces. This activity shifts their focus from the tedious process of hand-rolling coils to the more advanced challenges of form, structure, and assembly, allowing for more ambitious and complex designs.
Module 4: Blending techniques. Students will be encouraged to combine wheel-thrown pottery with extruded elements. For example, they can create perfectly uniform handles or decorative additions for mugs and vases, or add textured elements to thrown forms.
Module 5: Collaborative building project. Students will work in teams to design and build a large-scale project, such as a tiled mural or an architectural ceramic sculpture. This promotes teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills as they work towards a shared, complex goal.
Documentation and presentation: At the culmination of their project work, students will document their process, from initial design concepts to final glazed pieces. This could be in the form of a portfolio, a blog, or a school-wide exhibition, where they explain their creative and technical process to a wider audience.
b) How will this project meet the needs of your students, classroom, and/or school?
For students:
Increased engagement and motivation: The use of new machinery and the ability to design their own dies will capture student interest and make the learning process more exciting and relevant.
Development of advanced skills: Students will learn a range of valuable, transferable skills in design, engineering, technical operation, and collaborative problem-solving that extend far beyond the ceramics studio.
Inclusive learning: The extruder addresses common frustrations with hand-rolling coils, making the project more accessible for students who might struggle with fine motor skills. It allows them to produce perfect coils quickly and focus on the creative aspects of building.
Empowered creativity: By making uniform shapes readily available, the project removes a significant barrier to artistic expression, allowing students to focus on more complex, ambitious, and original designs.
For the classroom:
Enhanced curriculum: The project will allow for the implementation of new, interdisciplinary STEAM-focused units that would not be possible with existing tools. This modernizes the ceramics program and increases its educational rigor.
Increased efficiency and productivity: The extruder dramatically reduces the time spent on tedious, repetitive tasks like rolling coils. This frees up valuable classroom time for more meaningful instruction, experimentation, and artistic development.
Versatile teaching tool: The extruder can be used for a wide range of activities, from creating simple test tiles and uniform handles to producing complex hollow forms for sculptural work. This versatility makes it a valuable and long-lasting instructional resource.
For the school:
Showcasing innovation: The high-quality student work produced using the extruder can be a source of pride for the school, showcased at art shows, exhibitions, and promotional events. This demonstrates the school's commitment to modern and integrated STEAM education.
Resource efficiency: By producing consistent, high-quality material, the project reduces clay waste from inconsistent hand-rolling and other traditional forming methods.
Cross-curricular integration: The technical and creative aspects of the project can be linked to other departments, such as engineering and industrial design, promoting a more cohesive and collaborative educational environment across the entire school.
Based on the project's activities and goals, here's how students will change and how those outcomes will be measured.
a) What will improve or change for your students because of your project?
The project is designed to create a meaningful, demonstrable impact on students' skills, engagement, and creative output. The improvements and changes will occur across several key areas:Increased student engagement and motivation: Students will move from passively engaging with ceramics to becoming proactive makers and engineers. The ability to design their own shapes and use a technical tool to realize their visions will foster a deeper intrinsic motivation for their projects.
Enhanced problem-solving and critical-thinking skills: As they work with the extruder, students will need to solve technical problems, such as preparing the clay to the right consistency or designing a die for a complex form. The project's emphasis on larger, collaborative builds will also require them to think critically about structure, weight, and design.
Improved craftsmanship and creative range: The ability to produce uniform clay forms (like coils or tiles) will improve the overall quality of students' final pieces. This efficiencywill also free up more time for them to focus on the unique and more elaborate aspects of their designs, leading to more original and complex artwork.
Greater confidence and artistic risk-taking: By mastering a new piece of equipment and seeing their creative ideas come to life with precision, students will gain confidence in their abilities. This can lead to a greater willingness to experiment with more difficult and innovative concepts in their future work.
Expanded interdisciplinary understanding (STEAM): The project directly links the technology and engineering of the pug mill and extruder with the art and design of ceramics. Students will gain a tangible understanding of how these seemingly disparate fields work together to create a final product.
Based on the project as described, here is a specific explanation of how the grant funds will be used, aligned with the purchase of an extruder kit for the pug mill machine.
| # | Item | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shimpo extruding die set | $162.00 |
| Total: | $162.00 |
0% Funded
Only $162.00 Needed
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