• WELCOME
    TO THE
    STEM PORTRAIT
    INFORMATIONAL
    SITE

  • COMBINING THE
    EXCITEMENT
    OF THE
    INTERACTIVE
    POINTILLISM
    PROJECTS

  • WITH YEARS
    OF TEACHING
    KIDS TO DRAW

  • TO INSPIRE AN
    INTEREST IN SCIENCE,
    TECHNOLOGY,
    ENGINEERING,
    AND MATH

    INTRODUCTION

Introduction

1. The Intro

Welcome to the behind-the-scences site of the STEM Pointillism Project, which aims is to excite students about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). The public site can be found here: DotDrawing.com.

My name is David Ilan and I am an artist that creates drawings using only dots, called pointillism. Years ago I created the one dot = one person concept that unites people around important causes by having them “get a dot” and become part of the drawings. Every dot in the drawings represents a real person somewhere in the world. The dots work together on the canvas to create the portraits. Hundreds of thousands of people all over the world are now forever part of pointillism works of art…and communities. Samples of other one dot = one person projects can be found on the DavidIlan.com site.

The STEM Pointillism Project is slightly different because representative dots are only be placed in specific areas—the leaves. The drawing is of a student sitting on a large science book. Around her the leaves on the cover of the book begin to come to life. There are four stems growing from the book, each representing an area of STEM. Students choose which stem to join and they get a hand-drawn dot in a leaf on that stem. The more students get involved, the longer the stems grow and more leaves begin to sprout.

2. The Idea

The idea for the STEM Pointillism Portrait came to me while I was listening to some fascinating lectures. I am an active member of Mensa and at our conventions we have access to fabulous speakers on a wide range of topics. In one lecture I was watching the most amazing images from deep space and learning about new discoveries in our universe. I was looking at some of the astonished faces in the crowd and started thinking about how younger people would react to what we were witnessing. The aim of the STEM Pointillism Project is to bring that level of excitement for STEM to the students.

My interactive pointillism projects are always done on a large scale so many of the participants join online. While a large number of the students see the content and participate through the project website, I have as many live events as possible. At the events, speakers bring their presentations to the students. They tailor short presentations to the appropriate age groups and excite students about their STEM fields. Students have brand new worlds open to them; worlds filled with new opportunities.

3. The Art

All participants (online or at live events) get a dot on a leaf in the STEM Pointillism Portrait. All they have to do is share one thought about a STEM field. It could be about something they learned that day, something that excites them, or anything else that comes to mind. One Thought = One Dot. They tell me which STEM they want their dot in (Science Technology, Engineering, or Math) and I place a hand-drawn dot on the canvas for them. Now they are forever connected to all the other people who participate in the project. When the portrait goes on tour at the completion of the project, a piece of every student involved will be part of the tour as well.

At live events, when the students are sufficiently enthusiastic about what they just learned, they create their own drawings related to the STEM field in the presentation. I teach them how to draw using the pointillism technique and work with them as they create their work of art. I love this part because the students always get excited when they see how great their drawings look when they are done. What the students don’t realize is that by participating in a creative project about what they just learned, they are ensuring the experience (and the feeling around the experience) becomes etched in their minds, leaving them with a positive mindset about STEM.

The Details

How it Works

Students watch a short but exciting presentation from a professional in a STEM field, either live or online. The topics and talks are specifically designed to open the student's eyes to amazing new possibilities.

During the live events I teach students how to draw using the pointillism technique (drawing with only dots). They can draw anything they want as long as it is somehow related to what they just learned. For example, if the speaker is an astrophysicist who "expands" their minds about the universe, they might choose to draw planets, a rocket ship, a three-headed alien, or anything else that gets their creative juices flowing.

The students share a thought for a dot and get a hand-drawn dot placed for them in the STEM portrait. They choose which STEM they want to join. Every dot in the leaves represents a STEM thought a student shared.

The Goal

To excite students about science, technology, engineering, and math. To show them that they are capable of having a career in a STEM field, if they choose to, and help them understand what it takes to achieve that goal. While the project includes all kids, there is a slight focus on getting young girls interested in STEM because of the gender gap in some of the STEM fields.

Students also feel proud of the drawing they created. They feel connected to the STEM community because the thought they shared is forever represented by a dot in the STEM pointillism drawing.

Why Pointillism

REASON 1

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REASON 1

When we do a creative project around information we just learned, the information sticks. Think back to when you were in school. Do you remember projects you created? Whether it's a song, a science project, or a drawing, chances are we will remember the lesson more if there is a creative process involved.

REASON 2

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REASON 2

Pointillism is a unique style of art that uses both sides of the brain. Each dot is its own separate entity and our brain decides whether or not to connect it with other dots, depending on how close or far they are to each other. Closer dots create darker areas. Creating a pointillism drawing (knowing where to put the dots) mixes the creative and analytical mind, which is a perfect blend for a STEM project.

REASON 3

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REASON 3

The kids love to be part of a work of art. I have been doing interactive pointillism projects for many years and I love to watch how excited people get when they become part of the art. They know they will forever be part of the project and they feel like they contributed to something bigger than themselves. They are part of the community of dots that work together to create the portrait.

BONUS REASON

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BONUS REASON

Lastly, but equally important, everyone should feel the absolute thrill of creating something new. To know there is something there simply because you made it is an empowering feeling, and that feeling sticks with the children as well.

Get Involved

Teachers
Have your class participate in the project! Your students will get dots in the leaves. All grades through high school are welcome to join.
Group Leaders
All youth groups can participate. Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs, after school clubs, pediatric hospitals, religious organizations, homeschool organizations, etc.
STEM Professionals
If you have a passion for what you do in your STEM career and want to share it with young minds, this is a great opportunity for you and for the students.
Partners
Education-related organizations and nonprofits, organizations in STEM fields, museums, media outlets, etc., all help bring this project to students.
Corporate Sponsors
Your company logo featured in print, TV, and online. Projects of this magnitude are expensive to run and sponsors of all sizes make it all possible.
Individual Sponsors
Individual support makes a world of difference. You can sponsor a class, organization, or make a general donation (for supplies, and more).

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