Invention Convention - Art Lesson Inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci's Inventions

Students will discover Leonardo da Vinci’s inventive ideas as they invent a new machine for the 21st century.

By Michelle Jamal [Michelle is an art educator]

Objectives:

The learner will recognize the contributions of Leonardo da Vinci.
The learner will invent a new machine for the 21st century.
The learner will make a model of the invention.

What You Need:

invention diagram (see recommended links below)
cardboard boxes
tempera paint
brushes
paint cups
water containers
glue
scissors
pipe cleaners
fabric scraps
construction paper
markers
other found objects

What You Do:

Identify and discuss the contributions that Leonardo da Vinci made during the High Renaissance period of Art.
- Artist
- Scientist
- Inventor
Students will choose a partner. Each group of students will think of a new machine that would make life easier in the 21st century.
Make a diagram of the machine. Briefly describe how the machine will work.
Use cardboard boxes and other found objects to build a model of the invention.
Paint/color the machine after it is completely put together.
Add fabric, glitter, yarn, buttons, etc… to finish the invention.
Present the invention to the class.
- What is the name of the invention?
- What does it do?
- How does it work?
- How much will it cost?
- Where could you purchase it?

About Leonardo Da Vinci

by Andrea Mulder-Slater, KinderArt®

Born: 1452; Died: 1519

Leonardo Da Vinci was, as you are probably aware, a true master artist. In fact, many folks refer to him as the greatest artist ever produced by the Renaissance. The man who grew to a ripe old age of 67, is probably best known for his mysterious painting, “Mona Lisa” or “La Gioconda”, a portrait of the wife of a Florentine official which was painted in Da Vinci’s later years. As a painter, Da Vinci was astounding, having trained under the watchful eye of Verrocchio, a Florentine painter, goldsmith and sculptor. Da Vinci learned his craft and went on to use it not only for pleasure, but for payment. His reputation as a master earned him many commissions. He was the original creative thinker, a philosopher as much as an artist who after contemplating a move in his work, would stop, look and contemplate some more.

A painter, sculptor, scientist, inventor, architect, mathematician and philosopher, Leonardo Da Vinci influenced generations of humans.

Additional Resources

Leonardo’s Mysterious Machines
http://www.mos.org/sln/Leonardo/LeosMysteriousMachinery.html

Leonardo Da Vinci’s Inventions
http://www.da-vinci-inventions.com/