The Science in Art – Sigma Xi Exhibit at the 2012 USA Science and Engineering Festival

Learn about science and engineering as you creatively explore form, balance, color and movement.

Mobile Sculptures A mobile is a type of kinetic sculpture constructed to take advantage of the principle of equilibrium. Kinetic art includes works in which motion is a defining property. While motor or crank-driven moving sculptures may have initially prompted it, the word "mobile" refers more specifically to free-moving creations introduced by Alexander Calder. Below are resources for students, teachers and parents that feature mobile sculptures as a tool for learning math, science and engineering principles through the art of the mobile sculpture.

Photo Credit - Flowing Rhythm (red), is by Flensted Mobiles of Denmark.

Activities

• Calculating Calder (Grades 2-5)
• Spiral Patterns in Art (Grade 6-8) - pairs well with the Fibonacci sequence (middle and high school)
• Linear Wire Sculpture (high school adaptable to middle school) - art focused projects on wire and kenetic sculptures with an emphasis on concepts with mathematical and engineering principles
• Lesson Planet - Lesson plans for grades K-8 utilizing mobiles to teach principles in math, science, engineering and technology from Lesson Planet (registration required to view material)

Interactive Mobile Websites:

• Mobile Maker (All Grades) – create a computer generated mobile with this online utility
• How to make a virtual mobile
• Alexander Calder Google Doodle – interact with the July 21, 2011 Google Doodle honoring Alexander Calder's birthday by moving your cursor over the image to see how physics impacts the motion of the sculpture

Videos about Alexander Calder

• Alexander Calder Video by Director Roger Sherman
• Alexander Calder Exhibit Video at the Gagosian Gallery, New York

Informational Websites: 

• Nasher Museum Calder Site
• Calder Foundation
• The Kennedy Center ArtsEdge: Alexander Calder
• National Gallery of Art Calder Information
• The Influence of Engineering on Alexander Calder
• Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

Books for Elementary School Students: Alexander Calder and His Magical Mobile, by Jean Lipman (recommended for age 4) Alexander Calder (Sticker Art Shapes Series), by Sylvie Delpech (recommended for ages 5-8) Sandy's Circus: A Story about Alexander Calder, by Tanya Lee Stone (recommended for ages 6-8) Alexander Calder (The Life and Works of...Series), by Adam Schaefer (recommended for ages 6-8) Alexander Calder (Mira que artista!)- Spanish Edition, by Patricia Geis (recommended for ages 7-9) Alexander Calder (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists), by. Mike Venezia (recommended for ages 8-9) Learning from the Masters: The Art of Mobiles with Alexander Calder, by Brenda Lauw (recommended for ages 9 to 12)
	Photo Credit: Jujumo Mobile by Julie Firth http://www.frithmobiles.com

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