Information about the project

The goal of the project is to study connections between mathematics and art and architecture. Students perform a series of studies about Maths in Art: from Platonic solids to fractals. Students will decide the best creative way to share information with their partners: not only words and texts but we would like above all to use a stimulating communication: pictures, video, chat, social network, etc. All material will appear in a collaborative environment: “beyond chalk and talk”, to develop students' curiosity and avoid long boring speeches.

Subjects: Art, Foreign Languages, Informatics / ICT, Mathematics / Geometry
Languages: English
Pupil's age: 15 - 19
Tools to be used: Chat, e-mail, Forum, Powerpoint, video, pictures and drawings, Web publishing
Aims: To develop the knowledge of artists and historical art movement; to improve the knowledge of visual language and architecture; to develop language skills and the use of media and ICT; to develop interactive and productive ways to improve the knowledge among pupils and schools from different European countries; to develop a scientific view and methods with regards to works of art; to encourage pupils to get to know each other and use the Internet as a source of information and means of communication; to develop pupils’ understanding and knowledge of different European countries and cultures and thus overcome their prejudices and become more tolerant; to discover interesting and surprising maths models that can help one to interpret facts and understand real situations, and the usefulness of maths in daily life, in different branches of knowledge; to arise students’ curiosity and interest in Maths, pointing out the fact that it has always been an essential part of man’s culture and development
Work process: Students introduce themselves, their school and region in short. Students supervised by teachers perform a series of studies about: Platonic solids, polyhedrons, Golden Ratio, symmetry, structure, pattern, tilings, fractals, tessellations and translations. They will make study about artists who used Golden Ratio during Renaissance and about: Le Corbusier, Mondrian, M.C.Escher, Costantin Brancusi, Max Bill, etc. All ideas and material is posted for discussion prior to publication on the project’s social network. Teachers observe the activity of the students and together with them decided on the selection of materials (texts, presentations, movies, etc.) for publication in a collaborative environment.
Expected results: we will see how mathematics is not just about formulas and logic but about patterns, symmetry, structure, shape and beauty. Students know an in-depth study method for works of art. They manage a study research by web as well. Teacher and students exchange materials by ICT among them. All students will lay aside their prejudice and ethnocentric point of view.