LEONARDO da VINCI’S MAGIC MIND
"Iron rusts from disuse; water loses its purity from stagnation... even so does
inaction sap the vigor of the mind." Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci was one of history’s most imaginative, versatile geniuses. His genius
is most obvious in the mind-boggling inventions he dreamed up – everything from a
submarine to a humanoid robot! His ideas were far ahead of his time. His motto was,
“No obstacle will stop me,” and he lived by it. He was never afraid to look beyond
traditional thinking and his famous inventions, many which continue to influence our
world today, demonstrate the creativity of the human mind.
Become an inventive genius! Choose one of da Vinci’s areas of interest,
investigate his invention(s) and design a unique creation of your own. You may
work alone, in pairs, or in a group of three or four. The more people in the group, the
more work will be expected.
You are required to sketch blueprint drawings of your invention from at least two
points of view such as side and overhead, or side and front. You should add arrows and
labels to make your blueprints easy to understand. You may also create a model of
your invention.
A final research report is required. The Smart Board, Google Presentations, Movie
Maker, Weebly, Prezi and other technology are available for use to help create an
engaging, unique final presentation which will be shared with your classmates and
parents.
A.
A “BLUEPRINT” for ART
“Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is not art……” Leonardo Da Vinci
Da Vinci liked to sketch almost anything he saw in order to learn from his drawings. He
sketched buildings, animals, hands, trees, rocks, inventions, and even knots of rope to
learn about shape, line, light, and shadow. Leonardo da Vinci believed that in order to
paint objects or people, an artist had to understand their structure – how they are
formed or put together. He also combined portrait and landscape into one painting
which has made the Mona Lisa the most famous portrait in the world.
Create a piece of Two or Three Dimensional art, a la Leonardo! Research Leonardo’s
contributions to the artistic world and incorporate his artistic inventions into your
masterpiece! Explain why Leonardo is viewed as one of the most significant artists of all
time, all through your piece of art! You may create a collage, a mural, a portrait or a
sculpture.
http://www.universalleonardo.org/index.php
http://www.mos.org/sln/Leonardo/LeonardosPerspective.html
http://www.mos.org/leonardo/artist.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/3044/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/art/artyfacts/davinci/index.shtml
Why is the Mona Lisa smiling? http://library.thinkquest.org/13681/data/link2.htm
Interesting Information About the Mona Lisa: http://www.aiwaz.net/mona-lisa/
B. NATURE AS INSPIRATION!
"Human subtelty will never devise an invention more beautiful, more simple or more direct
than does Nature, because in her inventions, nothing is lacking and nothing is superfluous."
As Leonardo did, examine elements or aspects of nature in order to be inspired to
create a unique invention. Da Vinci’s armoured tank had a protective cover much like a
turtle’s shell. Bionics is a field of engineering in which ideas from natural systems are
“borrowed” and adapted for human uses. For example, the burdock burr is the basis for
a commercial fastener. The hexagonal shape of a beehive has been used to develop
stronger and lighter pool tables.
Choose an object and/or process that is found in nature and after in-depth analysis,
synthesize a new product or improve an old one, based upon the idea that is found in
Nature. Design your invention. Create a blueprint and a model or mock up to
demonstrate.
C. MYSTERIOUS MOVING MACHINERY
1. Analyze one or more of Leonardo’s various flying machines, self-propelled carts,
boats, or armored tank and compare it to today’s vehicles in order to design and create
your own unique “moving machine”. Make sure that you research the history and
development of this mode of transportation in order to determine whether your invention
is new or an improvement on a pre-existing machine. Create blueprints and then a
model to demonstrate your unique vehicle or flying machine.
Flight and Other Obsessions http://www.exn.ca/FlightDeck/News/story.cfm?ID=19970810-01
History of Flight http://www.flight100.org/history/davinci.html
Did da Vinci Invent the Car?
http://www2.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-04/25/content_326077.htm
da Vinci Invented Car
http://www.thesupernaturalworld.co.uk/index.php?act=main&code=01&type=00&topic_id=360
2. Leonardo created machines to solve many problems during his lifetime. He saw
ways that machines could save people time and effort, and he used his creativity and
his understanding of machinery to design and sketch his inventions. Leonardo had a
good understanding of simple machines - levers, pulleys, wedges and gears - and you
should too for this challenge.
Use the following websites to help you with your research:
Inventor's Workshop http://www.mos.org/sln/Leonardo/InventorsWorkshop.html
Leonardo's Mysterious Machines:
http://www.mos.org/sln/Leonardo/LeosMysteriousMachinery.html
Elements of Machines http://www.mos.org/sln/Leonardo/InventorsToolbox.html
http://www.universalleonardo.org/gallery.php?type=410
Leonardo's Machines http://www.museoscienza.org/english/leonardo/
A. Research Leonardo’s machines. What new ideas about machines did Leonardo
have? What types of machines interested him the most? Locate pictures or draw
pictures and write detailed descriptions explaining how at least two of his machines
worked.
B. Choose one of the following design challenges. Sketch possible solutions, build
prototypes, and create finished blueprints for your invention.
Leonardo's Challenge:
Design a machine to push away the scaling ladders of invaders trying to get inside a
castle without exposing the castle dwellers to danger.
Modern Challenge:
Using at least 4 simple machines, design a Rube Goldberg invention, a sequence of
events that will perform a simple function like: emptying the garbage, feeding the dog, or
washing the dishes.
RUBE GOLDBERG CITES WORTH VIEWING
http://www.rubegoldberg.com
http://www/rube-goldberg.com
http://mousetrapcontraptions.com/
http://mousetrapcontraptions.com/cool-machines-3.html
D. ROBOTIC KNIGHT
Leonardo da Vinci is thought to have drawn and built the world's first robot shortly
before he painted The Last Supper in 1495. Investigate Leonardo’s humanoid robot and
explain how his design was used as inspiration for a NASA robot. Research the history
and development of robots and design your own with a specific purpose in mind.
Include blueprints and a prototype.
http://www.da-vinci-inventions.com/robotic-knight.aspx
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/149724.stm
Weirdo Leonardo Machines http://www.stoke5399.freeserve.co.uk/leo/machines-robot.htm
E. LEONARDO’S BRIDGES
"I can build very light bridges, solid, robust, easily transportable, to pursue and sometimes
flee from the enemy…” ~ da Vinci
One of the most interesting projects Leonardo worked on during his lifetime was the
Bridge of the Golden Horn, a design for a bridge over 700 feet long that would cross the
harbour of Istanbul. He also designed a swing bridge and revolving bridge. Bridges
today have been built using Leonardo’s sketches. Research Leonardo’s designs and
modern day bridges that have been inspired by da Vinci. Create a blueprint and a model
of your own “Leonardo” bridge.
http://www.da-vinci-inventions.com/revolving-bridge.aspx
http://www.universalleonardo.org/work.php?id=520
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn1510-da-vinci-bridge-finally-built-after-500-years.html
F. PLAY LIKE LEONARDO
Leonardo da Vinci invented set devices for the theater and even designed sets for
several productions. Some of the ideas he recorded in his notebook concern how to
make costumes or to light sets. One of Leonardo’s many talents was making masks.
While many of the masks he made were beautiful, Leonardo also created masks that
were grotesque and scary. Study Leonardo’s sketches of masks and costumes. Design
a Leonardo Life Mask that reveals his talents, accomplishments and interests. Write and
perform a play or poem about the great Leonardo, the creative genius of all times. Or,
create a unique animal, bird or monster mask and write your own original Renaissance
pageant.
http://haunty.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Make-a-Leonardo-da-Vinci-style-Masque-Mask
http://www.plasterlinks.com/plaster_masks.html
G. CHOOSE YOUR OWN INVENTION ADVENTURE!
Leonardo sketched and created many more ingenious inventions during his lifetime.
You be in charge and design your own project. Brainstorm ideas and write a proposal.
Your plan must be approved by Mrs. C.
THE EXTRAS to add PIZZAZZ!!!
Leonardo’s Biography and Timeline:
http://www.davincilife.com/timeline.html
http://www.mos.org/sln/leonardo/
http://www.da-vinci-inventions.com/
http://www.universalleonardo.org/index.php
http://www.leonardo-da-vinci-biography.com/leonardo-da-vinci-inventions.html
http://www.loc.gov/loc/kidslc/LGpdfs/leo-teacher.pdf
VIDEOS:
http://www.leonardo-da-vinci-biography.com/leonardo-da-vinci-videos.html
QUOTES:
Leonardo was an eloquent man, and his original thoughts will make an interesting addition to
your research project. You may find appropriate quotes from Leonardo da Vinci at the following
sites:
BrainyQuotes
Motivational Quotes
The Quotation Page
ThinkExist.com
Renaissance Music
The Internet Renaissance Band http://www.csupomona.edu/~jcclark/emusic/renaissa.html
Renaissance Music
http://web.tiscali.it/midiren/
Music Pieces of the Renaissance http://anaigeon.free.fr/e_index.html
Classical Music http://www.kunstderfuge.com/
Classical Midis http://midiman13.tripod.com/index.html
Classical Music Net http://www.classical.net/music/links/midiarch.html
Do you think Leonardo would have chuckled at the site of students studying
his life and works using new fangled computers?
Or had he already dreamed of this 21st century technology???
LEONARDO CONTRACT
“It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and
let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci
I, _______________________, choose to investigate_________
________________________________________________
because ___________________________________________.
Working Conditions:
_____ I will work quietly, not bother anyone or draw attention to myself.
_____ I will work on my project for the entire class period.
_____ I will keep a Work Log of my progress.
_____ I will meet with the teacher to discuss my plans and work.
_____ I will meet all required criteria and deadlines.
I, _________________ will use my curiosity, creativity and perseverance
to the best of my ability to create a unique presentation and original invention
that Leonardo da Vinci would be proud to call his own!
Student: ____________________ Witness: _________________