To incorporate science and experimentation into art, we took trays and filled them with water (enough to cover the bottom). The cups were filled with canola oil and food coloring. The cups of oil and coloring were stirred until smooth (can tell the difference in picture one and two). Using a pipette, the food coloring and oil mixture should be dropped into the tray. The colors can be left separated or allowed to be placed close enough to mix (color mixing was taught with primary and secondary colors). The paper sits in the tray until the oil and color can be seen through the paper. The paper should be slowly lifted out of the tray and left flat to dry. 

This was done with freshman students as a one day experiment/art project. It was fun to look at the differences in the work depending on how much color was used and if they were dropped into the tray at random or planned out. Overall, the students enjoyed being able to do this several times each!

Arty on! 

On AIGA's Website it states:Get Out the Vote, an AIGA Design for Democracy initiative, enables designers to engage in the public arena by contributing to a coordinated voter mobilization campaign. By motivating eligible citizens to register and turn out on election day, Get Out the Vote fulfills an ongoing AIGA objective of demonstrating the value of design to the public, public officials and business by providing a clear call to action for an activity that is important to everyone. 

Students were taught the Semantic Analysis (see Word Doc below). They completed a small group activity to share with the class to assist in the sketching and conceptual process. 


Students create an 11x17 poster (horizontal or vertical) to boost voter turnout for 18-24 year olds. The posters were hung around the school to remind senior students to register and vote in the election.

Mixed Media students had the opportunity to learn about glass blowing artist Dale Chihuly. From reading Scholastic Magazines, completing online research and watching the documentary DVD Chihuly Over Venice, students were inspired to create a sculpture that would absorb and reflect natural sunlight in the commons of the high school. Students worked with only recycled objects to build the chandelier including: 1,000 water bottles collected from the cafeteria for two weeks, two hula hoops, rock climbing rope and hooks. The sculpture was hung in the commons and will remain there for the remainder of the school year. Students worked collaboratively to create the work.