When my high school got new laptops and Chromebooks for the students, a lot of the old technology was no longer needed. Rather than throw it all away, the school gave it to me for students to use in this sculpture exploration. I also invited students to bring in old items from home to use in their sculptures or to be donated to their classmates to use in theirs. Radios, vacuums, adding machines, gloves, shoes, and umbrellas are just a few of the items that showed up in the classroom.
Gavin, Hyper Monic Pulsus Gauntlet (Molecular Hypersonic Pulse Gauntlet).Left: Fritzy, Pecunia Arca (Money Box). Right: Alex, Personalis Historiae Recall Fabrica (Personal History Recall Device).Lauren, Somnia Prehenderat (Dream Catcher).Disassembled computer parts and other items ready for exploration.
Preparation
I launched a Donor’s Choose campaign for small screwdrivers and other tools we needed to disassemble computers and recycled items. The goal was to have one mini Phillips-head screwdriver for each student because they were used the most.
To assemble the sculptures, I had hot glue, 527 glue, and duct tape available. Some students opted to use wire and tie components together.
I showed the class the following videos to build interest:
For the first two or three days, students focused on disassembling all the items. I gave each student a bin or container, such as a shoebox, to store items they wanted to keep, and I set up some other boxes where they could donate unwanted items for others to use.
I discouraged students from focusing on one idea because it would stifle their work. For example, I had a student who wanted to make a robotic rabbit but did not have enough components to pull it off. She ended up creating a sci-fi cash register, which came out well, but she lost valuable time focusing on that rabbit.
Getting to Work
After they took the items apart, it was time to experiment and discover what parts fit together and what they could make. Students could make wearable mechanisms or freestanding sculptures. One student brought in a garden work glove and turned it into a futuristic Molecular HyperSonic Pulse Gauntlet.
These are the directions I posted to Google Classroom:
Students will disassemble computers and technology equipment and recycle these materials into inventions that look as though they would fit into a sci-fi/steampunk universe (e.g., Cosmic Wave Generator, Wormhole Portal Projectors, Shield Generator, Voicebox Manipulator, Time Portal, futuristic medical device). Mechanisms should look like they have a specific function.
Items can be freestanding or wearable. Though many supplies will be provided, to exceed expectations, students should bring in mechanical objects that no longer work (radio, digital camera, CD/DVD player, etc.) or wearable objects (gloves, shoes, glasses, hats, etc.) to be altered into sci-fi objects. Though not necessary, battery-operated lights can also be incorporated, but nothing that can be plugged in. Guns or weapons of any kind are not permitted. For safety reasons, DO NOT open batteries or computer screens as they can contain toxic components. When in doubt, ask.
This assignment will conclude with a written component. A title will be translated into Latin, and your description will be entered into the Complex Sentence Generator to make it sound more futuristic or otherworldly. This description will be printed and displayed with your work.
Assembly
I had stations set up around the room for students to assemble their sculptures: a hot-glue area, tape area, spray booth, painting table, etc. Some students added patinas to their work to give it an old or worn appearance. Acrylic modeling paste and watercolor friskets worked great for this purpose. This was also an opportunity for me to clean out shelves with items I had no idea what I was going to do with.
Students found uses for almost everything. Imaginations ran wild. In the end, students explored recycling, engineering, reinforced their literacy skills, and created sculptures that had the whole school talking. It was a fun experience!
This issue highlights various ways that transformation can inspire creativity and collaboration. Young students work together on a school-wide clay mosaic inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar, elementary students transform recycled cardboard by creating landscape-inspired low-reliefs, middle-school students demonstrate contrast and balance by turning recycled materials into wearable art, high-school students study the surrealist works of Giuseppe Arcimboldo and create their own inspired drawings from everyday objects, and more.
