If you’re looking for a fun way to help kids learn symmetry in a fun way and learn a bit about math at the same time, then this mirror reflection symmetry math project is for you! This is one of our favorite math activities for kids!
It’s a fun way for elementary students to learn about how art and math overlap and adds a fun hands-on math element to the classroom!
You can also do this activity at home to help bolster the knowledge of art and design.
Mirror Reflection Art Activity for Kids
In this mirror reflection symmetry project, kids learn about the Line of Symmetry and reflections. Use this lesson as a hands-on activity for teaching symmetry to kids.
What is Symmetry?
Symmetry is when an object looks the same in one or more locations. Most objects in the world have some level of symmetry and things look weird to us when they don’t.
The line of symmetry is where the two halves of a symmetrical image meet.
Bring math into art class or art into math class when you do this creative STEM activity for kids!
Types of Symmetry
There are three types of symmetry: reflection symmetry, point symmetry, and rotational symmetry.
Reflection Symmetry
Reflection symmetry (also know as the line of symmetry and mirror symmetry) is where one thing is the exact reflection of its other half. This is the kind of symmetry we are working with today.
Rotational Symmetry
Rotational symmetry displays an image roated around a central point and appears two or more times. A snowflake or fidget spinner have rotational symmetry.
Point Symmetry
Point symmetry is when every part of an image has a matching part that is the same distance from the center point but in the opposite direction. Playing cards are an example of point symmetry.
Why is Symmetry Important in Art?
Because symmetry is a part of nature, when you don’t include symmetry in art it doesn’t look as pleasing to the eye.
We consider art that doesn’t have symmetry to be jarring or alarming in some way, which some artists use to create deliberate feelings of uncomfortableness in the viewer.
Since nature likes things to be in balance and symmetrical, symmetry is both important to math and science and is a fun thing to explore in a STEAM lesson.
Mirror Reflection Symmetry STEAM Extensions
There is a lot you can do with reflections, art, and symmetry in STEM.
Try asking your class some of the following questions:
- Why does nature like order and symmetry?
- What scientific principles are at work to create symmetry?
- How does changing the angle of the mirror change the reflection?
- What causes a mirror to reflect an image?
- Why are mirror images backward?
- Why are rules in art important?
- What would happen if there was no symmetry in the world?
Supplies for the Mirror Reflection Art Project
Before getting started with your mirror art project, make sure you have these things on hand!
Find this math lesson and other fun STEAM activities in our instant STEAM summer camp bundle!
How to Do the Mirror Reflection Art Project
Watch the video to see this experiment in action! The printable in this video is part of the Summer STEAM camp activity pack.
Glue two mirrors next to each other on a piece of cardstock paper.
Make sure there is a gap between the mirrors so the mirror “book” can be opened and closed.
Let the kids decorate their pie shape with markers.
Experiment with the mirror book to change the angle of the reflection to change how the art looks in the mirror.
Get even more fun STEM activities for kids in the free set of STEM challenge cards for elementary kids linked below!
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More Math Art Activities to Try
Try these math art activities with your classroom or kiddos at home this year! They will have a lot of fun bringing art into math class and rounding out a complete STEAM activity.
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