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STEAM FAIR

ART Challenge Guidelines

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SCIENCE

TECHNOLOGY

ENGINEERING

ART

MATH

WHAT IS STEAM?

STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. 

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What is the STEAM Art Challenge?

Students get to use their creativity to combine their love for science AND art! Students can choose to create either a 2D art piece OR a 3D art piece that makes obvious connections to the sciences while conveying their unique story through personal expression and innovation. Students share their experience through their WRITTEN Artist Statement and VERBAL explanations to the judges.

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How will the STEAM Art Challenge be Judged?

Art Projects are judged according to THIS RUBRIC.

Criteria for Judging Includes -

  • Craftsmanship and Technique
  • Elements and Principles
  • Creativity and Personal Expression
  • Written Artist’s Statement
  • Artist’s Oral Presentation

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Your Artist’s Statement is a written explanation of

WHY and HOW you made your art,

along with other facts about your experience.

Your Written Artist Statement might include these sections -

  • Purpose of Your Art (or Problem Your Art is Answering)
    • This is Your WHY
  • Sources of Inspiration
  • Design Phase
    • Sketches and/or Notes
  • Materials, Mediums, & Techniques
    • What You Used & Why You Chose Them
  • Personal Journey
    • Includes Your Thought Process & Experiences
    • Includes Criteria for Success & Limitations You Encountered (evidence of Problem Solving)
    • Includes Research (Other Artists that have Created this Type of Work, Science Concepts shown in the Art, Other Applicable Research)
  • Connections to Science

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JOURNALING your process will help you WRITE the sections of your statement, with your ORAL presentation, and to ANSWER questions from the judges.

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What are some ideas of Science Concepts that I can incorporate into my art?

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Pencil/ Colored Pencil

Digital or Photography

Paint - Acrylic or Watercolor

Pen/Ink

2D Art Medium Examples

Architectural Design, Interior Design, and More!

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2D STEAM ARTWORK EXAMPLES

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Cardboard

Wire

Recycled Materials

Popsicle Sticks

3D Art Medium Examples

Clay

Paper Mache

Hobby Wood

Plastics

Digital, Architectural, Interior, Tech Based, and More!

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3D ARTWORK EXAMPLES

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Are there guidelines limiting what I can create?

There are limitations on size, originality/copyright, and use of kits.

Talk to your teacher about your ideas!

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    • 5 x 7 Minimum
    • 24 x 36 Poster Size Maximum

HOW BIG CAN THE 2D ART BE?

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no specific size is necessary, but ONE student should be able to easily carry it by themself.

it should be able to sit freestanding on a table.

HOW BIG CAN THE 3D ART PIECE BE?

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  • You may not use copyrighted images in your art
  • All art must use original images.

ALL ART WORK MUST BE ORIGINAL

Copying other pieces of work is not ORIGINAL WORK!

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No Kits or multiple parts of a kit can be used in creating your art

3D ART MUST ALSO BE ORIGINAL

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This Challenge may be done alone or with one partner. Groups are not allowed in any of the categories.

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All materials must fit in a space that is 32 inches wide by

15 inches deep.

32 inches

15 inches

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Helpful Websites for Artist’s Statements