Makers Empire and the Adelaide Botanic Gardens are pleased to be partnering on activities as part of the Gardens’ Chihuly in the Botanic Garden program until 29th April 2025. We are excited to provide a range of learning experiences designed to engage students of all ages.
This is a unique opportunity for students and teachers to engage with an exhibition by Dale Chihuly, the world’s most celebrated contemporary glass artist. Chihuly explores new and old techniques, pushing the boundaries of contemporary art. He draws inspiration from the world around him, creating statements in color and form which have reimagined conventional ideas of function and beauty for over fifty years. Known for its bold colors and eccentric forms, Chihuly’s work is included in more than 200 museum collections and has been exhibited in fine art institutions, historic cities, and gardens worldwide.
Watching Glass Grow Challenge Course & Competition
Watching Glass Grow is a challenge course and competition brought to you by the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium and Makers Empire that will have students learning all about how glass is made and how artists look at nature to inspire their artwork. This free challenge course is suitable for years 3–6 students and includes videos, quizzes and tutorials to help students refine their 3D design skills and creative thinking. The challenge course will be available via the Makers Empire 3D app from October 2024 and remain in the app throughout 2025.
This Challenge Course introduces students to the extraordinary world of glass as an artform. Inspired by nature and the amazing work of glass artist Dale Chihuly and five other talented South Australian glass artists, students explore the history of glass and learn how artists create art works using glass as a medium. Students are guided through the Design Thinking process as they learn about the approaches, tools and mediums artists use when creating art pieces. Students respond to videos by participating in in-app quizzes and design tutorials related to the information shared. The Challenge Course concludes with a Design Thinking Project in which students are asked to design their own work of art inspired by nature and the amazing work of the glass artists they have been introduced to.
Watching Glass Grow Competition FAQs
- The Watching Glass Grow Challenge Course and competition is open to all year 3-6 school students.
- Teachers may register their class or groups of students for the program.
- Individual students may also register to participate in the program.
Yes. The Watching Glass Grow Challenge Course is aligned to the Makers Empire Design Curriculum. To view Design Curriculum outcomes for your state or country please select the relevant curriculum in the drop-down list in the Teacher Dashboard.
The Course also addresses:
- Visual Arts: explores and responds to art installations and how visual elements, materials and the natural environment interact to communicate ideas and perspectives
Creates and makes their own artworks inspired by nature. - Science: develops understandings about the properties of glass and how these properties influence its use and form.
- General Capabilities: critical and creative thinking – inquiring, generalising, analysing and reflecting to solve problems
- Numeracy: exploring the geometric properties, position and location of shapes in space.
- The Challenge Course is expected to take 3-5 hours to complete. Additional activities provided could take a further 3-10 hours.
- Students may choose to spend longer on their designs before submitting them to the national competition.
Yes, absolutely! The Watching Glass Grow Challenge Course and competition is open to all primary school students. Teachers may register their class or groups of students for the program. Individual students may also register to participate, regardless of whether their school is registered to take part.
- The Watching Glass Grow challenge course is accessed through the free Makers Empire 3D app.
- Teachers should download and review the Watching Grass Grow Teacher Guide that contains a getting started guide to Makers Empire, activity details, curriculum links and extension activities.
- Have students complete the in-app Watching Glass Grow Challenge Course before the end of term 1, 2025.
- Students’ designs may be selected for an exhibition at the Adelaide Botanic Garden in early term 2, 2025. More details to follow.
- Brand new Watching Glass Grow challenge course within the Makers Empire 3D app comprising videos, quizzes, design tutorials and Design Thinking challenges.
- Teacher Guide. This includes:
- Getting started guide for those new to Makers Empire
- Curriculum links
- Classroom posters
- Student worksheets
- 1: The History of Glass Video Explore the fascinating history of glass through time.
- 2: The History of Glass Quiz What have you learnt? There are 6 questions to answer and 1 bonus question
- 3: A Pair of Glasses Pro Tutorial Make a fun pair of glasses to help people see!
- 4: Glass as an Art Form Video Learn about techniques and tools used by glass artists.
- 5: Glass an an Art Form Quiz Were you paying attention? There are 4 questions to answer and 1 bonus question
- 6: A Stained Glass Window Pro Tutorial Make a stained glass window with decorations!
- 7: Let’s Meet Some Glass Artists Video Learn about what inspires the work of these glass artists.
- 8: Let’s Meet Some Glass Artists Quiz Test your knowledge! There are 6 questions to answer and 1 bonus question
- 9: Leaves Pro Tutorial Make two different types of leaves.
- 10: Where Do Artists Get Their Ideas? Video Let’s explore some of the ways artists get ideas.
- 11: Where Do Artists Get Their Ideas Quiz
Were you paying attention? There are 3 questions to answer and 1 bonus question
12: Three Drinking Glasses! Pro Tutorial Make three glasses made for drinking out of. - 13: The Art of Dale Chihuly Video Learn about the life and work of Dale Chihuly.
- 14: The Art of Dale Chihuly Quiz What have you learnt? There are 5 questions to answer and 1 bonus question
- 15: Art Inspired by Nature Design Thinking Challenge Create your own amazing 3D artworks. Be inspired by nature and amazing glass artists.
- 16: Talk Time Tell others about your design There are 4 questions to answer.
- 17: Are you ready to share your work with your teacher?
Excursion for SA Students: Educator-Led workshop
Be guided through the Garden exploring a collection of works by artist, Dale Chihuly. Students will observe the large-scale sculptures surrounded by nature and learn about the process involved in creating the artworks. They will then have the opportunity to complete hands-on activities, including taking part in a design challenge as part of the In Full Colour: Dale Chihuly exhibition in the Bicentennial Conservatory.
Monday to Friday – Term 4 2024 & Term 1 2025
10am & 12:00pm
More information and bookings at the Botanic Gardens website.
Teacher Professional Development
Join the Botanic Gardens education team, Makers Empire, UniSA and renowned glass artist, Tom Moore for a night of artistic discovery, exploring all that is on offer in education for Chihuly in the Botanic Garden.
Thursday 10 October from 4:30pm – 8:00pm.
$105 per person / $95 for Department for Education teachers.
More information and. bookings at the Botanic Gardens website.
