STEAM Ahead
Chicago Height/ Park Forest, Illinois
Science Technology Engineering Art Math

2020-21 School Year PD 3 (of 7)


Patterns, Mark Bradford and Artmaking Activity


Participants review the three dimensions of the Next Generation Science Standards and focus on Patterns as a Crosscutting Concept. They look at the work of Artist Mark Bradford through the lens of Patterns and gather materials to create their own art piece in a style similar to Bradford’s in the next PD. Participants continue to reflect and record the challenges of virtual learning.

Date: January 21, 2021
Audience: K-5 Teachers
STEAM Ahead Consultants: Jenna Sanei, Jerry Stefl, and Patricia Whitehouse
Focus: Patterns 
Materials: Breakout Group Virtual Teaching Document: January 2021
Approximate Time: 2 Hours


Part 1: Welcome and NGSS Science Dimensions

Share the agenda for the day. Discuss the three dimensions of science, focus on how Crosscutting Concepts, such as Patterns can be observed in any content area, such as art.


Part 2: Artist Mark Bradford

Share and discuss Mark Bradford’s work and the patterns in the pieces shown. Describe the Artmaking project and example.


Part 3: Group Time, Reflect and RespondDiscuss Mark Bradford and artmaking. Add the new challenges and successes of virtual teaching on the document from the previous PD.

Part 4: Debrief


STEAM Ahead
Project Components