STEM Rec Challenges
October 29 - November 2, 2018

Renaissance Week
School of Athens by Raphael

Social Studies
Welcome to the Renaissance
This week Social Studies will answer questions like "What was the Renaissance?"  "How was it different from the Medieval Era?"  "Who was Michelangelo?" and "Why is Michelangelo's David so special?"  Students should be ready to get their hands dirty as we explore the world of a sculptor!


Science
The Art of Anatomy
Michelangelo was a gifted inventor and artist, but did you know that he had a lifelong interest in anatomy?  In fact, by the age of 18, he began to perform his own dissection. This week in science, students will explore some basic anatomy and discuss Michelangelo’s contribution to this field.



Literacy 
William Shakespeare
When discussing the Renaissance, one must always include William Shakespeare. Often called the greatest writer in the English language, Shakespeare’s plays were in high demand during the 1500s and continue to be in demand today. He wrote over 30 plays, using different genres to entertain both the rich and poor alike.  In Literacy this week, students will have a chance to act out different genres of plays and explore how our emotions connect us to those genres.

Math 
The Mathematics of Art
Renaissance painters made use of mathematical principles to develop linear perspective and to transfer scale drawings. Students will practice designing a drawing on graph paper and then plot out the points to make a masterpiece of their own.

Art
Fresco Painting
Painting in the Renaissance was most commonly done as fresco, or murals painted onto plaster walls. For frescos, pigments were mixed with water and directly painted onto the wall.  In Art this week, students will explore famous fresco's like Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel and Da Vinci's The Last Supper. Students will then create a mini fresco of their own.

Engineering & Technology
The Renaissance at War
Castles and fortified walled cities were common during this period and catapults were used as siege weapons against them. Students will be engineering their own catapults which involves using stored energy to hurl a projectile without using any explosives. The stored energy comes from building mechanisms that use tension, torque and gravity.

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