Overview

Canadian artist Jean-Pierre Gauthier created an interactive display of kinetic art at the Akron Art Museum. This art display and the science involved in creating it is the focus of this science multimedia package.

So what is kinetic art? It is art that contains moving parts or that depends on motion for its effect. The moving parts are generally powered by wind, by motor or by an observer. Jean-Pierre Gauthier is a kinetic artist. He uses motion sensors to track the movements that people make. Their motion triggers his artwork to either move or make sounds or patterns.

Ubiquitous Science contains four modules. Each module deals with Benchmark B from the physical science content standards in grade 8. Benchmark B states, “In simple cases, describe the motion of objects and conceptually describe the effects of forces on an object.”

Science Videos
There are four short videos that are available on the Western Reserve Public Media Web site (http://www.WesternReservePublicMedia.org/ubiscience), on iTunes and on D3A2.

1. Speed, Velocity and Weightlessness

2. Waves

3. The Electromagnetic Spectrum

4. Newton’s Laws

Professional Development Videos
There is a professional development video to go with each instructional video. The goal and concepts covered as well as the overview of the video and the lessons that go along with it are previewed. These are available at http://www.WesternReservePublicMedia.org/ubiscience.

Teacher Guide
A teacher guide is provided for each module and contains the following items:

• Introductory material

• A formative assessment

• A set of standards-based lesson plans with student handouts and resource materials

• A summative assessment

• A vocabulary list

The guide is available at http://www.westernreservepublicmedia.org/ubiscience and at D3A2.

Credits

Project Coordinator
Maria Mastromatteo, Western Reserve Public Media

Teacher Guide
Teacher Design Team
Cathy Page Adler, Ravenna City School District

Zach Griffith, LaBrae Local School District

Gene Lynn, Copley-Fairlawn City School District

Bunny Perrin, Norton City School District

Teacher Guide Layout and Design
Paula Kritz, Western Reserve Public Media

Video
Produced by Western Reserve Public Media (WNEO/WEAO, Youngstown/Akron, Ohio)

Executive Producer
Maria Mastromatteo, Western Reserve Public Media

Producer
Duilio Mariola, Western Reserve Public Media

Videographer
Duilio Mariola, Western Reserve Public Media

Video Script
Larry Chance, Chance Productions

Professional Development Script
Cathy Page Adler, Ravenna City School District

Web
Layout and Design
Paula Kritz, Western Reserve Public Media

Funding
Funded by the Ohio Legislature through the eTech Ohio Commission