High School

Artwork by David B., grade twelve.

The Essential Question
How can limitations promote creative and innovative thinking?

Objective
Students will transform a polystyrene cup into a sculpture in the round.

Materials
polystyrene cups, scissors and/or craft knives, glue (optional), Phil Hansen TED Talk video “Embrace the Shake.”

Procedures

1. Introduce the lesson by playing Phil Hansenʼs TED Talk, “Embrace the Shake.” Facilitate a conversation about how limitations can promote creative thinking and drive innovation. How did Hansen overcome his limitation?
2. Discuss with students that they will be given a limited materials design challenge. Ask them to transform a polystyrene cup into a sculpture in the round. If necessary, review what a sculpture in the round is and show a variety of examples.
3. Provide time and space for students to engage with the material and build their sculptures. Optional: provide glue. The examples on the front of this ClipCard were made without glue.
4. After their sculptures are created, students participate in a gallery walk and group discussion.

Mary Kate Bergh is an art teacher in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.