STained Glass Window Project

Andre & Matthew

This is a terrific project for students who are beginning to plot lines on the x and y axis. We start with drawing a simple frame that is 8” x 11” and then the x and y axis lines. (We’re teaching Inkscape. It’s free.)

Then students complete a worksheet that invites them to create points on the axis for various numbers as you can see in this picture. x = 6 is easy to plot and draw. y = x + 4 is a little harder. Students are taught to draw a rectangle to make a line and then use their cell phones to calculate the rotation of that rectangle (Transform in Inkscape) to place it in the correct spot on the axis. This means we can teach them “slope” as rise/run (3/2) , do the math (1.5) and get the tangent (56 from the cell phone). That’s the number we take back to Inkscape and tell it to rotate the line. Then they place line in their window.

They must etch the formula for each line on the line. You can see that Andre and Matthew plotted 7 lines—well beyond what was required for this project.

x = -4
x = 6
y= x + 4
y = x - 1
y = -4
y = 2x + 6

Samantha & Addison

One of the things I enjoy about this project is pushing the students farther than they think they can go. In this project, the students say things like “I don’t like this big empty space here. How can I divide it up?” Then we can invite them to think backwards about what they are doing. “What does that line look like? What equation would you have to write to get to that line?” This is so mind-bending for them!

Of course, these beautiful windows are a delight to everyone who comes into our space. They are in one of our big windows. When the light shines through them, it’s absolutely stunning!

Samantha and Addison plotted 9 lines:

y = 9
y = 2x + 6
y = 4x + 3
y = x + 4
y = -5x
x = 6
x = -x - 2
y = -x - 12
y = x - 3

Bella & Sam

This picture of Bella & Sam’s window highlights the trick to this project. The frame is two pieces of 3mm birch glued one on top of the other. Students build the top window. Then we teach them Path—>Inset in Inkscape. They duplicate their first window and “inset” makes the shapes in the duplicate just a little bit smaller to create a ledge for the acrylic to set in. The acrylic is cut to the original size, placed inside the top window and resting on the bottom (inset) window. This helps the acrylic colors stay in place without worrying about making each piece a press fit.

We always have step-by-step instructions for students to follow at their own pace. We teach them lesson, then teach them how to use the instructions. (Really?! Students following written instructions?)

In addition to Inkscape, this project is an opportunity to teach students how to use the laser cutter with wood and acrylic and how to use wood glue.

You are probably wondering about the amount of time this project takes.

We ask for one class period from the math teacher. One. In that period, we teach what I have described here on this page: how to draw the outside frame and x and y axis; how to draw each line and rotate it for each equation based on rise/run; how to duplicate your entire front window and use “inset” to create the window in the back (with ledges for the plexi). At the end of this class lesson (about 1 hour), students are able to use the step-by-step instructions to complete their project design. (But, if they can’t…they use their own time.)

After that one hour of class time, students can make appointments to meet with us to complete the project from wherever they are to the beautiful windows you see. Students can come before and after school, Lishma (study hall), free blocks, lunch, etc. We are available to meet with them whenever they need to meet…even the students who are in the theater and in sports and in the school orchestra.

One Class Period. Period. Hmmm….maybe I shouldn’t have buried the lead.