Around here we like projects that combine math and art. Math art projects have been a key way for me to get my art-resistant kids to get creative. Following up on our super popular Pi art skyline project, I knew I wanted to do some kind of Fibonacci art project.
Learning about Fibonacci and applying his mathematics to art is a fabulous way to encourage S.T.E.A.M. learning. S.T.E.A.M. stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Design, and Math.
It wasn't until my older son revealed himself as a math nerd at an early age that I learned about the Fibonacci number sequence. I even have a list of Fibonacci books for kids that he enjoyed. The sequence, which is found frequently in nature, is named after 12th century mathematician, Leonardo Fibonacci. Fibonacci did not "discover" the sequence; the number sequence had been part of Hindu-Arabic mathematics for centuries. He also introduced to Europe the Hindu-Arabic 10 digit place value that we use today (fun fact!).
In the Fibonacci number sequence each number is the sum of the previous two numbers. So, beginning with 1 (although modern mathematicians now start with 0, our art project also begins with 1), the sequence is as follows: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144... and so forth.
The most frequently seen Fibonacci math art project involves the Fibonacci spiral. We experimented with making this in our art journals, but I knew I wanted to do something a bit more three dimensional and different than all the other art projects you see out there. Besides, my 10 year old was less interested in the spiral and more interested in using the compass. (Note: affiliate links below.)
This art project is processed based. You will not be encouraging your children to make something, but to explore shapes based on a specific proportion.
What you need:
- Compass. I bought this compass, which I really like. I once bought a cheap-o compass, but its "hold" because loose almost immediately, rendering it useless.
- Ruler.
- Pencil. I'm newly in love with these lumograph pencils. When I was a kid my mom had a set and she was very protective of them and now I see why she loved them so much. I let my kids use them, however!!
- Colored Paper
- Art journal. I've written before how we adore our mixed media paper art journals. The paper is heavy enough to take watercolor, but not so heavy and bumpy that it prohibits sketching. My older son and I have several of them. I'm still working on my youngest's resistance to making art.
- Cardboard, or other scrap piece of heavy card paper.
- Glue stick (optional)
Instructions:
We started by cutting out circles based on the Fibonacci number sequence. Decide how big you are going to want your circles. We made two sizes. One based on a circle with a ¼ inch radius and another based on a radius of ½ inch. Both sizes will fit on a standard size paper.
So, for example, the radii of our Fibonacci sequence circles were as follows:
¼, ¼, ½, ¾, 1 ¼, 2
½, ½, 1, ½, 2 ½, 4
Confused yet?
TIP: If your compass does not have a ruler built in, you can make a number line on your cardboard to easily set your compass to make the correct size circle. See photo below:
TIP: Kids can have a difficult time manipulating a compass. As I shared in our compass art project post, place your paper on top of a piece of cardboard and press the tip of the compass through to the board. This will securely hold the compass in place.
TIP: If you make multiple circles in two differently sized sequences, label the back of each circle. We didn't do this and had to go back and figure out which circle was part of which sequence!
Drawing with a compass is actually a lot of fun. Plan ahead if you want and do a simple art session so your kids can explore how to use it. Even my art-resistant 6 year old insisted on drawing with the compass!! I was quite thrilled with that, as you can imagine. Here is his masterpiece:
Once you've determined the size of your circles, simple create as many as you want and cut them out.
TIP: Do not worry about your child's cutting skills!! Circles need not be perfect. The basic Fibonacci sequence proportions will still be there.
Once the circles are cut out, let your child arrange them in pleasing ways in his art journal. He can glue them into place, if he wants.
Watch more of our math art activities!
We did this Fibonacci art project on a dreary evening and it was just the thing to get both our math and art creative juices flowing.
Be sure to read these Fibonacci books:
Growing Patterns: Fibonacci Numbers in Nature. You can’t beat beautiful nature photos and mathematics. This book has examples of Fibonacci patterns in nature but also the the “golden ratio.”
Fibonacci Fun: Fascinating Activities With Intriguing Numbers is an activity book with projects and puzzles for kids based on Fibonacci and other number sequences. It may inspire you to get hands on with math!
More Fibonacci Goodness:
- Fibonacci picture books
- The Math Behind Spirals - Pragmatic Mom
- Lesson plans for Fibonacci Fun from Fabulous Fibonacci
- Math art books
Alex Baugh says
What a great project. I am definitely going to be using this one. Thanks for sharing it with everyone.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks, Alex! We had fun with it.
Jacquie says
Love this project - especially that you have the kids lay out the circles in any way they like. My kids did this in school art class but it was never really connected that it's also a MATH project (I always think it's cool to connect subjects so kids see how things like math and science happen across all areas of life). Really nice post!
Erica MomandKiddo says
I'm realizing that so much about art can be math related.
Anne at Left Brain Craft Brain says
I love how you are able to connect math to art in a way that is accessible for the kiddos. Always creative and fun!
Natalie PlanetSmartyPants says
I love it on so many levels!
Kristina @ School Time Snippets says
Beautiful project! We love combining math and art!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks! I'm really coming to love math art.
maryanne @ mama smiles says
This is lovely. Pinning.
Jen Robinson says
Looks like fun, Erica! Have you read The 14 Fibs of Gregory K? It's a middle grade book about using the Fibonacci series in poetry. Might be right up your kids' alley...
Erica MomandKiddo says
Oh, yes! I remember hearing about that book when it came out, but forgot about it. I must get it from the library!
Sheila @ BrainPowerBoy says
This is so neat in so many ways. We have recently been reading about fibonacci numbers and find them fascinating. Thanks for a great project. Sharing
Maggie says
Love your tag line - but want it to be "What we do all day - live . learn . read &
play"
Sarita says
Nice project. I have felt to learn more about fibnocci series after watching your project.
Sheryl says
I work in youth services at a library and have been doing a Math Craft Monday program for children 7-10 years of age. This looks like a great idea to add to the rotation. Thank you.
Erica says
I hope the kids enjoy it!
Sheryl Saxby says
Love this project idea. I run a monthly Math Craft Monday program at a library and this would be fun for the age group I work with (ages 7-10). I am wondering if I can find hole-punches that would work instead of trying to get a large group of kids to understand how to to do this with compasses in an hour time frame? I will have to give it a try I suppose. Might make it a Math Craft Monday on Saturday since Fibonacci's Day falls on a Saturday this year.
Erica says
Hole punches would be helpful, I don't know if they make them so large but maybe!
Janis A Rizzo says
Your second sequence isn't quite correct. It should be 1/2, 1/2, 1, 1-1/2, 2-1/2, 4
Maria Bermudez Perez says
I am a STEAM Pre-school teacher and my kiddos absolutely LOVED this project! I work with 3, 4 and 5 year old, using a compass was a bit challenging so instead we measured different size circular containers to obtain numbers close to the sequence. Once we had them, we traced, cut, and glued them into the page! Thank you so much for such a wonderful idea!