If the water was hot, STEAM would be bellowing from these perfectly pouring teapots! STEAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math.
Physics and Geometry are alive and well in the Art turned STEAM studio!
Juniors Hannah Trigg, (Ceramics III) and Vanessa Niederhofer (Ceramics II) preform a
Laminar Flow Pour test with clay teapots.
Hannah, on the left, created her traditional Japanese-style teapot and lid on the pottery wheel. Vanessa, on the right, hand-built her “Cat Bus” inspired teapot using the pinch method, slabs, and coils. While still in a clay state, students must perform pour tests to adjust the spout angles and placement to perfect the flow of the liquids prior to kiln firing.
Laminar flow is the alignment of layered particles, in this case, water molecules, in parallel paths, creating a smooth tunnel and even pouring of the liquid. The smooth, calm pour is calculated and predicted through the Reynolds Number, an equation balancing velocity and viscosity. Students had to find the mid-point to establish the starting point for attaching the horizontally parallel bottom of the spout and handle. Students then had to find the vertical center of gravity, intersecting with the mid-point, to measure equidistant 45* angles from the vertical center to attach the handles and spouts. Establishing the 90* promotes laminar flow, reduces extra drips, and roll back on the throat or teapot vessel itself. Ceramics teacher and Arts Integration into STEM doctoral scholar, Mrs. Katie Avra is very proud of her student’s accomplishments!
