Renaissance Pals 2016

thingiverse

In this engaging project, sixth-grade students bring iconic Renaissance figures to life by crafting remarkable busts. This is the second consecutive year of the project, which can be explored in depth at http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1190879. The intricately designed models stand about 70 mm tall and may require support for stability. To add a touch of realism, students painted their creations, often omitting features like eyes and hair that can be easily replicated with paint later on. To complete the look, printable crowns and neck ruffles are included, allowing students to add a regal or elegant touch to their figures. Tinkercad's "pineapple" and "banana" shape generators prove invaluable for crafting authentic moustaches and beards. This cross-curricular project seamlessly integrates art, history, and literature as students delve into the Renaissance era. Each student researched an influential figure from this period and created a "fakebook" page to showcase their findings (instructions and examples are provided). To add an extra layer of fun, the Renaissance fair also features traditional food, music, and games. As the project coincides with Christmas, students decorate a gingerbread castle for their characters, further immersing themselves in the spirit of the Renaissance. For the 3D component, students designed and printed busts of their chosen figures using Tinkercad. These were then painted in art class, bringing their creations to life. Throughout the project, students are encouraged to focus on creating a three-dimensional representation rather than modeling flat features like eyes and hair. Instead, they use paint to add these details, ensuring a more realistic finish. The half-sphere and paraboloid shapes prove ideal for crafting the torso, while the sphere is perfect for the head. For moustaches and beards, the "banana" and "pineapple" shape generators in Tinkercad are absolute must-haves. To download printable neck ruffles and crowns, click here.