Event Date: October 04, 2024
Upcycling Innovations Challenge: Bringing da Vinci to Life
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Staff
Leonardo da Vinci was a visionary artist and inventor who left a lasting, positive impact on the fields of art, science and engineering. WITF is celebrating that impact with an Upcycling Innovations Challenge for students in grades 6 – 12.
The Upcycling Innovations Challenge encourages students to use critical thinking and creative problem solving while promoting environmental awareness and sustainability practices.
Students are encouraged to think like Leonardo da Vinci to create works that fit into one of three categories:
- Visual Art: Create visual artwork that incorporates sustainable materials and themes.
- Fashion & Accessories: Create wearable items using recycled or upcycled materials.
- Technology & Gadgets: Invent gadgets or innovative devices using upcycled materials.
Teachers and community organizations are encouraged to facilitate this challenge with their students (grades 6 – 12), or students can complete the challenge on their own outside of a classroom.
Registration is now closed.
An Upcycle Build Challenge Day will be held at the WITF Public Media Center on October 12 from 9am – 5pm for students who want to work on their project in the company of others. More information will be emailed to challenge registrants on October 5.
Guidelines:
- The challenge must be completed individually by students, without the help of an adult.
- Designs should demonstrate original concepts that address real world challenges related to sustainability.
- Designs should prioritize sustainability by incorporating eco-friendly practices such as reducing waste, conserving resources and promoting reuse.
- Only recycled or upcycled materials can be used in student designs, apart from bonding materials like duct tape, welding materials and glue.
- Materials – such as cardboard, plastic bottles, newspapers, fabric scraps, old electronics, etc. – must be obtained at no cost to the participant.
- Participants must document their design process from ideation to prototyping and final execution. This might include sketches, photos, videos or written descriptions detailing the evolution of the project.
Upcycling Challenge Judging
Participants who wish to compete in the Upcycling Challenge judging must submit photographs of their final design and documentation of their design process. Entries will be evaluated using an Upcycling Innovations Challenge rubric. The challenge rubric will be used to determine the finalists.
Finalists will be invited to compete during the Bringing da Vinci to Life Celebration and Preview Screening at the WITF Public Media Center on November 2 from 4 – 8pm. Students selected to participate should be prepared to explain their design choices and how their project contributes to a more sustainable future.
The top three projects chosen by the judges will win a prize and one finalist will win a “Best in Show” grand prize.
Questions about the Upcycling Innovations Challenge and the optional Upcycling Challenge judging can be sent to the WITF education team at education@witf.org.
The Upcycling Innovations Challenge is part of Bringing da Vinci to Life, presented by WITF and supported by our partners:
LEONARDO DA VINCI is a production of Florentine Films and WETA Washington, D.C. Directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon. Written by David McMahon and Sarah Burns. Produced by Sarah Burns, David McMahon, Ken Burns and Tim McAleer. Edited by K.A. Miille and Woody Richman. Cinematography by Buddy Squires. Narrated by Keith David. The voice of Leonardo is read by the Italian actor Adriano Giannini. The musician and composer Caroline Shaw wrote and recorded original music for the film performed by Attacca Quartet, Sō Percussion and Roomful of Teeth. The executive in charge for WETA is John F. Wilson. Executive producer is Ken Burns.
Corporate funding for LEONARDO DA VINCI was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and by The Better Angels Society and by its individual members The Paul and Sandra Montrone Family; Stephen A. Schwarzman; Diane and Hal Brierley; Caroland Ned Spieker; Michael and Sandy Collins; Mario J. Gabelli; The Lynch Foundation; McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Cappy and Janie McGarr; and John and Leslie McQuown. Funding was also provided by Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha Darling; the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation; and the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation.
