Schools' 3D sculptures highlight new ways to learn

A pilot project using technology to help school children create 3D art has seen artists in residence working at three schools in Coventry and Warwickshire.

The six-week programme, set to be rolled out nationally, aims to show how art and sculpture can be used to teach children topics in different ways, instead of from text.

The project was delivered by Coventry-based Pangaea Sculptors' Centre, founded by Lucy Tomlins.

"Sculpture is a really powerful bridge between art, engineering and design and [the children] can see different kinds of career paths and futures, different skills, and it's really important they see there are different ways of learning."

The scheme was designed to show pupils that by using AI, virtual reality and 3D scanning, what they discover while researching their sculpture could be applied to other areas.

"Lots of children, especially children with diverse needs, may not excel in the more linear way that most subjects are taught, so by making it project based, we can bring all kinds of subjects to life in a more exciting way." Tomlins said.

One of the pupils, aged nine, taking part at Camp Hill Primary School in Nuneaton said: "I always wanted to be an artist.

"I created a weird abstract person which has like, horns and lots of spikes on the shoulders and legs, and I made some leaves around the body to make it look strong."

Listen to BBC CWR: New sculpture project for schools

Kevin Walsh, personal development lead at the school, said the children enjoyed the project.

"They've had so many chances to do hands-on craft," he said.

"They've done some computer modelling. We want to show them that, actually, you can be an artist, that it is a career choice."

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