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Project challenge:

Positive Pattern Poster

Suggested Ages: 3rd – 5th Grades

Spread positivity with a stunning ink drawing! For this challenge, you’ll make an inspirational poster inspired by the Zentangle® method of pattern drawing by creating unique designs around a symbol that you think the world needs to see right now. You’ll need to BE REFLECTIVE while choosing your symbol by carefully considering what it represents and how it could impact others.

Engaging Design-It-Yourself projects to inspire young innovators

This is no ordinary DIY project for kids: It’s a step toward becoming an innovator.

 

Every Galileo Design-It-Yourself Challenge teaches the same techniques and mindsets that professional designers an engineers, artists and chefs use in their work. With skills like these, we believe you can change the world.

Get Involved—For Grown Ups

Materials list:

Find these materials or a close substitute: 

 

  • Pencil
  • Pen
  • A piece of paper
  • 3 or more objects to trace (roll of tape, scissors, gift-card, etc.)

 

Activity GUIDE:

Refer to these steps to keep young innovators on track as they create:

 

1. Brainstorm and choose an inspirational symbol.

  • Support being reflective—If kids are struggling to think of how others in the world might be feeling right now, have them think of specific people such as family members or friends.
  • Ask: Think of a time when someone you cared about was having a hard time. What advice would you give them? What symbol could represent that advice?

 

2. Lightly draw the symbol with a pencil.

  • Some kids may struggle with knowing how to start drawing their idea. Support as necessary. (1:28)
  • Ask: How might you break that symbol into simple shapes? What shape might you draw first?

 

3. Trace the symbol in pen and erase pencil lines.

 

4. Trace 3 or more objects around the symbol in pen. (1:58)

 

5. Fill each shape with patterns.

  • Ask: What shapes/lines can you use to make patterns? How might you combine shapes/lines to make new patterns?

 

More Ideas:

Every project presents opportunities to add your own twists or extensions. Here are some ideas to get you started: 

 

  • Make it a collaborative pattern poster! Set the drawing out in a central location and everyone can take turns adding in patterns.
  • Try drawing the outline of a large symbol and, instead of patterning around the outside of the symbol, trace objects and drawing patterns inside the symbol.

 

Wrap Up Questions:

Lock in the learning by asking kids these questions about their project and how they practiced the featured Innovator’s Mindset element: 

 

  • Which patterns on your drawing are your favorite? Why do you think your eye is drawn to them?
  • What does your symbol represent and how do you think it will help others? How did being reflective help you come up with that symbol?

Subscribe Now—It’s Free!

 

With so many changes to everyone’s regular routines, we know you’re likely looking for ways to keep your kids learning (and yourself sane) while schools are closed. Subscribe here and Galileo will deliver a week’s work of activities to your inbox every Sunday to add to your routine!

SHARE!

The last step in the Gallieo Innovator’s Process is SHARE. Great learning can come from sharing successes and failures—to solidify your own experience as an innovator and to inspire others.

 

SHARE WITH galileo

 

Take a picture of your finished drawing and share it with the Camp Galileo Anywhere Facebook Community.

 

Share with family and friends

 

Your innovation doesn’t stop with you. Inspire someone else by sharing your project challenge—maybe they’ll try it themselves or maybe your project will give them a new idea.

 

  • Who: someone in your house, a family member, a friend
  • How: in person, on the phone, online
  • When: anytime, starting now!