Do not touch!

This lesson focuses on the reason for the "hands off" policy in art museums.

By Darlene Ryan

Learn more

• Ackland Art Museum Although it is not mentioned specifically in the lesson, this website provides great background resources museum education.

Related pages

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• Painted cylindrical sculptures: Students will experiment painting a variety of lines as directed in addition to inventing their own on 12" x 18" paper. Students will also glue pre-cut paper strips onto their sculptures experimenting with a variety of paper sculpture techniques such as bending, folding and curling.
• Vessels in Greek art: Museum visit: This lesson focuses on the uses, shapes, importance, and historical storytelling on Greek vessels in art.

Related topics

• Learn more about arts, hands-on, labs, museum education, and preservation.

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Learning outcomes

The student will observe the physical and chemical changes in artwork through scientific investigation and participation.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

4 weeks

Materials/resources

• 2 pieces of “art” made from plaster (Permastone Plaster - purchase from hobby/craft store)
• 1 clear covered container per
• Spreadsheet for daily record keeping

Technology resources

• Spreadsheet and word processing software
• Digital camera

Pre-activities

Students should have engaged in lessons devoted to chemical and physical reactions.

Activities

1. Divide students into groups of 4-5 students.
2. Students create two identical plaster molds (Permastone Plaster). Take digital image of each of the molds. Students will begin lab report process. (See attachment for student directions - Lab%20Report.rtf)
3. Plaster molds must dry overnight.
4. Next day, students place one mold in the covered container. Students set up spreadsheet to record observations of each mold for a 4-week period. Students record observations of each mold on day 1. Students then pass the uncovered mold around their group, allowing each student to touch it. Then, the molds are put away until the next day.
5. For each day of the 4-week period, students will come in and observe each mold (the covered mold should NOT be uncovered) and record their observations in the spreadsheet. After each observation, the group members will pass around the uncovered mold.
6. Students will print their spreadsheet observations at the completion of four weeks. Students will take a digital image of each of the molds.
7. A classroom chart will be created comparing each groups data collection.
8. Students will complete wordprocessing of lab report. Students will create a poster/sign to be used by a museum detailing what they have learned and why this policy is important.

Assessment

1. Checklist for lab report (Assessment.rtf)
   (Students will submit the report to the instructor. The 10 point scale will be used to evaluate the completion of the items on the checklist.)
2. Student evaluation form (StudentEval.rtf)
   (Group member grading will be used to conference with students about progress.)

Supplemental information

Copies of Lab Report requirements (Lab Report.rtf), Checklist (Assessment.rtf), and Student Evaluation Form (StudentEval.rtf) are attached.