Oil and Water Activity
Examining the interaction of oil- and water-based materials in artmaking.
Grade Level Focus: 5th Grade
School: Barack Obama School of Leadership and STEM
Teaching Artist: Alana Ferguson
Classroom Teacher: Paul Capps
Materials: cups, oil, water, food-coloring, alka-seltzer, paper, waterbased markers, oil pastels, watercolor paint, brushes.
Class Periods: 3
Unit Connections: Sculptures that Move
SummaryTest, observe and record how materials interact to find ways to create unique works of art.
Lesson SequenceLesson 1: Make a Lava Lamp using oil, water, and food coloring and bits of alka-seltzer tablets and observe the way the materials interact to create interesting sculptures that move. [Alternatively, make FIreworks in a jar.]
Lesson 2: Observe and compare the interactions of the paired materials on the Oil and Water Material Testing sheet.
Lessons 3: Create artwork using the paired materials tested. Share the finished work with the class.
Next Generation Science Standards
5-PS1-4
National Visual Arts Standards See National Visual Arts Standards for specific grade level content for these Anchor Standards:
Anchor Standard 1
Anchor Standard 2
Anchor Standard 3
Anchor Standard 5
Artist Connections
Alberto Seveso
Edward Burtynsky
Water After All
Additional Resources
Fireworks in a Jar
Lesson SequenceLesson 1: Make a Lava Lamp using oil, water, and food coloring and bits of alka-seltzer tablets and observe the way the materials interact to create interesting sculptures that move. [Alternatively, make FIreworks in a jar.]
Lesson 2: Observe and compare the interactions of the paired materials on the Oil and Water Material Testing sheet.
Lessons 3: Create artwork using the paired materials tested. Share the finished work with the class.
5-PS1-4
National Visual Arts Standards See National Visual Arts Standards for specific grade level content for these Anchor Standards:
Anchor Standard 1
Anchor Standard 2
Anchor Standard 3
Anchor Standard 5
Artist Connections
Alberto Seveso
Edward Burtynsky
Water After All
Additional Resources
Fireworks in a Jar
Work Examples:
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