Copper Tape Portraits

Setting the Stage

Student engineering groups will design a picture that lights up using copper tape as an
art medium.
Standards
Science
S5P3. Students will investigate the electricity, magnetism, and their relationship.
b. Determine the necessary components for completing an electric circuit

Math
MGSE5.MD.1. Convert among different-sized standard measurement units within a
given measurement system (e.g., convert 5 cm. to 0.05 m), and use these conversions
in solving multi-step, real world problems.
Design Challenge
The Mableton Art Museum is planning for a celebrity filled art show featuring
adaptations of Howard Finster-inspired pieces. You have been commissioned to create
artwork that lights up using your knowledge of electrical circuits.
Criteria
1. Create a picture with the outline consisting of a working series or parallel circuit.
2. The battery should be in one corner, connected correctly, and able to be
switched on and off.
3. The path leading to the battery must be included as part of the picture.
4. The outline will be constructed of copper tape. You will have 1 meter of copper
tape.
Materials/Tools:
Copper tape
Disc batteries
White letter-size paper
Markers
Crayons
LED lights
Crayons
Colored pencils
Assessment
Completed Student Journals
Completed portraits
Measurement sheet
Student Participation
Instruction
Ask/Engage
Day 1 (20 min)
Discuss Howard Finster and show some of his artwork:
http://americanart.si.edu/collections/search/artist/?id=1543
Show the following website to show examples of copper tape art:
 https://tinkering.exploratorium.edu/paper-circuits
Discuss with students what they noticed about the interactive sites.
Introduce the challenge and have students complete the ask/engage part of their
journal.
Imagine/Brainstorm
Day 2 (10-20 min)
After reviewing the criteria and materials, students should work independently to
come up with 1 or 2 possible portraits. The brainstorm ideas should be labeled,
have the circuit clearly outlined, and may contain explanations or design notes if
needed.
Plan/Design
Day 2 (20 min)
Students will present their ideas to their engineering teams. Teams will work
collaboratively to come up with a final team picture by drawing, labeling, and
recording the materials needed.
Create/Test
Day 3, 4, and 5 (40 minutes)
Each team will create their entire picture according to design plans. They will test
their picture to see if it meets the criteria.
Evaluate/Improve and repeat Steps 1-5
Day 6 (25 min)
Teams will evaluate their designs for success. Did the picture meet the
established criteria? Did the final design match the planned design? If not, why
not? Did the light up? If not, why? What could be done differently next time to
improve the design?
Have each team place their picture on display. Students leave comments.