Cultures in Clay: Exploring Aquaculture Through Art
Help me give my students air-dry clay, acrylic paint, sculpting tools, fabric squares, fine-tip markers, and assorted paintbrushes to explore the cultural history of aquaculture through global art traditions.
Aquaculture isn’t just modern fish farming—it’s a global story, told differently in every culture. From Japanese gyotaku prints to Polynesian tapa cloth, indigenous petroglyphs, African Adinkra symbols, and aboriginal dot painting, aquatic life has long been honored through meaningful art. This project will let my students explore those traditions while learning about the history of aquaculture in a way that is hands-on, inclusive, and culturally representative.
With air-dry clay, acrylic paint, sculpting tools, fabric squares, fine-tip markers, and assorted paintbrushes, students will recreate global aquatic-inspired art.
They’ll sculpt fish forms, stamp traditional symbols, design painted fabrics, and engage with storytelling through art. These activities connect beautifully to our lessons on aquaculture, ecosystems, and sustainability—and allow every student to engage, regardless of reading or writing level.
My students deserve to see themselves in every subject—including science and history. This project supports racial justice and representation by centering cultures and traditions that reflect the diversity of our classroom. These materials will allow students to creatively express what they’ve learned about aquaculture’s roots across time and continents.
We already have a small collection of art supplies, and this project will help complete our toolkit—ensuring that all students have access to the materials they need to fully participate in these culturally-inspired activities. By linking aquaculture with global creativity, your support will help students see science through a more personal, inclusive, and inspiring lens.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Crayola Llc - Crayola Air Dry Clay 25 Lb White Pk
• Teachers' School Supply
$51.42
1
$51.42
Magicfly Acrylic Paint 12 Colours/473ml, Large Bottles Acrylic Paint Set Rich Pigment Colours for Artists, Beginners, Amateurs on Glass, Stone, Canvas, Wood, Craft
• Amazon Business
$37.74
1
$37.74
Macarrie 40 Piece Solid Color Fabric Bundles - 10 x 10 Inch Multi-Color Fabric Squares for Quilting, Patchwork, Sewing & Craft (Candy Color)
• Amazon Business
$13.99
2
$27.98
Horizon Group USA Paint Brushes -35 All Purpose Paint Brushes Value Pack – Includes 8 Different Types of Brushes, Great with Watercolors, Acrylic & Washable Paints. Multicolored
• Amazon Business
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Stelljes and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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