Working the Angles An education program of Michigan Legacy Art Park

In April 2005, 21 elementary and middle school educators convened at the Art Park for the second year to attend a two-day educational workshop. The goal was to learn basic surveying techniques and design unique lesson plans based in math, Michigan history, geography and art. Titled “Working the Angles” (WtA) the conference was backed by a three-year grant from Convergence Education Foundation (CEF)—an organization dedicated to promoting math, science, and technology and career opportunities in engineering. 

This year, the interdisciplinary aspect of the conference was broadened so that geography and social studies teachers could participate in addition to math and art teachers. Together they worked as teams to maximize the natural links that are evident in such activities as measurement, spatial relationships, mapmaking, drawing and sculpture. Each school also received a set of basic survey instruments and Global Positioning System to implement designed projects with students. 

Inspiration for WtA and surveying as an important area of study for schoolchildren arose from a statewide historical project spearheaded by the Park’s Artistic Director David Barr. Called Coasting the Base Line, Barr’s vision is to install unique sculptures in communities situated on or near Michigan’s base line that will commemorate the importance of land surveying. The first sculpture was installed in Northville in November 2003, and a second sculpture was installed in Farmington on July 18, 2005.

Wells Mansfield, Inc., a Traverse City surveying corporation, donated time and personnel to survey the Park and created boundaries that are a replication of the State of Michigan and its base line. In years to come, students will engage in activities designed by their teachers and build proficiency in the use of real survey equipment along the Park’s “base line.” 

In years to come, students will engage in activities designed by their teachers and build proficiency in the use of real survey equipment along the Park’s “base line.”

The success of the first two WtA conferences was based on a unique collaboration between artists, educators, mathematicians and surveyors. Plans will begin soon for the final conference in April 2006. Please contact the Art Park for further information.

Funding for the conference was provided by CEF with additional support given by Crystal Mountain and Wells-Mansfield. 

Conference presenters and consultants: David Barr, MLAP Artistic Director; Michael Geisert, P.S., Project Manager, Survey Division, Wells Mansfield, Inc.; Bill Kelso, Wells Mansfield, Inc.; Fred Goodman, Ph.D., Professor of Education, University of Michigan; Karl Klimek, Vice Chairman and Project Development Consultant, Convergence Education Foundation; Ken Stevens, MLAP Board Past President and Professor of Communication Theater Arts, Eastern Michigan University