Student Projects
Click on a year to view projects for that year.
2008 - 2009
2007 - 2008
2006 - 2007
2005 - 2006
2004 - 2005
2003 - 2004
2002 - 2003
2001 - 2002
2000 - 2001
1999 - 2000
1998 - 1999
1997 - 1998
1996 - 1997
1995 - 1996
1994 - 1995
1896 - 1990
2009-2010
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Digital PhotoMedia
The work in this portfolio was created by 8th grade students in a three quarter Arts rotation at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. The goal of this class is for students to learn to photograph in ways that challenge the stereotype of snapshots or cliches. Another goal is to incorporate students' portraits into their backgrounds digitally in a way that suggests a new reality. None of these photographs are "real." Each, however, is its own reality constructed.
2008-2009
Advanced Photography
Transition is defined as passage from one form, state, style or place to another.
This series of photographs (taken using Holga cameras) examines the theme of transition. The way in which these images were shot is in itself an exploration of transition – using an antiquated technology and bringing it into the modern world.
During the Fall ’08, the Advanced photo class used Holga cameras to interpret the theme of Transitions. Holga cameras are imbued with a sense of nostalgia. These images address change through the lens of the old and traditional.
2007-2008
Digital PhotoMedia
Digital PhotoMedia is a quarter-long course in the 8th grade rotation. Students use Photoshop to create photo collages by merging photos they shot with digital cameras and computer images of their own design. These collages are presented here in a QuickTime movie format.
Lines in Motion: a Third Grade Art Project
Third-grade art students in one of Illia Mazurek's classes experimented with drawing lines in a repetitive way to create optical illusions. Once the drawings were completed, a transparent copy was placed over the original; by shifting the transparent copy, moiré patterns occur. This online exhibit allows the viewer to click and drag the art to create the optical illusion of movement and make moiré patterns.
2006-2007
Sicily Photo Workshop
World-class photographer Ernesto Bazan and Summer Lab 2007 presented a Sicilian Photographic Workshop for their second collaboration in Summer Lab's Field Study program. Lab School students experienced a 10-day photographic journey to diverse parts of this Mediterranean island. The goal of the workshops was to help each participant create an appealing body of work with personal and strong individual images. Daily meetings with Mr. Bazan provided students with guidance to a series of revealing and lasting images of their Sicilian experience. Our student group, self-named Sirocco, after the hot winds from Africa, returned home with a new commitment to their work and their creativity, and a deeper understanding of this island so integral to the origins of contemporary civilization. This movie shows some images from their portfolios.
Advanced Photography.
This series of podcasts called Show & Tell shows the portfolios of work of some students in the Advanced Photography class. Each episode is an interview with the photographer and images of his/her photographs. Teacher Liese Ricketts narrates. To listen to this podcast, drag this icon into your iTunes window: 
Or use iTunes to subscribe to /podcasts/art4.xml
Cake Creations: a First Grade Art Project
First-grade art students in Illia Mazurek's classes used Styrofoam to create three-color reduction prints. Each student's art is represented in a gallery, grouped by class.
2005 - 2006
Photo Multimedia
Photo Multimedia is a quarter-long course in the 8th grade rotation. Students use Photoshop to create photo collages by merging photos they shot with fully-manual cameras and scanned images. These collages are presented here in powerpoint format.
Second Grade Chuck Close Portraits
Second grade art students worked on drawing portraits in a style modeled after the Photo-realist Chuck Close. Slide shows of the finished products, organized by class, are online.
First Grade Self-Portraits
First grade art students worked on drawing themselves from observations. Slide shows of the finished products, organized by class, are online.
Fourth Grade Sumi-e Paintings
In fourth grade, art students are introduced to the ancient Japanese painting technique of Sumi-e painting. A slide show of sample Sumi-e paintings is online.
Beginning Photography
An enhanced podcast of Beginning Photography digital collages. Teacher Liese Ricketts narrates.
To listen to this podcast, drag this icon into your iTunes window:
Or use iTunes to subscribe to /podcasts/art.xml
Advanced Photography
This series of podcasts called Show & Tell shows the portfolios of work of students in the Advanced Photography class. Each episode is an interview with the photographer and images of his/her photographs. Teacher Liese Ricketts narrates.
To listen to this podcast, drag this icon into your iTunes window:
Or use iTunes to subscribe to /podcasts/art2.xml
2004 - 2005
Photo Multimedia
During winter quarter '05, eighth grade students in Ms. Liese Ricketts' Photo Multimedia class, inspired by the work of David Hockney, made digital photo assemblages. As a second project they created animations of their own photographs.
Chicago Buildings Project
For ten years, students in Joyce Carrasco's third grade classroom have been constructing their favorite Chicago building or landmark. Buildings from the class of 2004-05 are on display in a slide show.
Photo Multimedia
Photo Multimedia is a quarter-long course in the 8th grade rotation. Students use Photoshop to create photo collages by merging photos they shot with fully-manual cameras and scanned images. These collages are presented here in powerpoint format. (5.6Mb ppt file—if you have trouble downloading, try this QuickTime movie instead)
2003 - 2004
Photo Multimedia
Photo Multimedia is a quarter-long course in the 8th grade rotation. Students use Photoshop to create photo collages by merging photos they shot with fully-manual cameras and scanned images. These collages are presented here in powerpoint format.(13.5Mb ppt file)
Web Page Design and Implementation
The final project in this quarter-long high school elective is the creation of a web site that represents some area of the school. Here are some sites from 2003.
2002-2003
Lab From Above
Inspired by the exhibit "Earth From Above" by Yann Arthus Bertrand, fourth grade classes took digital pictures of their favorite places in the school.
Photo Multimedia
Photo Multimedia is a quarter-long course in the 8th grade rotation. Students use Photoshop to create photo collages by merging photos they shot with fully-manual cameras and scanned images. These collages are presented here in powerpoint format. (13.5Mb ppt file)
duct and cover(t)
Advanced Photography exhibit
2001-2002
2000-2001
Project Exploration
Ms. Lesher's class is featured as class of the week for Professor Soreno's Project Exploration, an expedition to the Sahara Desert to recover a 600-toothed dinosaur.
PhotoTechnology Fall 2000
Mirrors and Windows: an exhibition of digitally altered photographs produced by an 8th grade computer/photography class.
1999-2000
1998-1999
1997-1998
Auto Show
Members of the Summer Science Club Sampler, taught by Ms. Bloom and Mr. Wagner,researched, designed, built and electrified cars. The completion of the first half of our hands on science class was celebrated with an Auto Show.
Poetry Wrap
The Poetry Wrap is an all-school celebration of words and verse. Every student, teacher, administrator and staff member is invited to put up a poem on the red ribbon "wrapping" the halls of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. The poetry can be original or a copy of a favorite published poem -- in any language.
Beehive Live!
Fourth grade beehive project, where students simulate a giant beehive. Many teachers collaborated for this project, including Maria Palopoli, Phillip Matsikas, and Vanya Wang.
Mystery Stories
Mystery stories by Donna O'Sullivan's second grade class.
Maze programs, 1997
Mazes programmed in LOGO by Fran Hahn's 6th grade Computer Science class.
PhotoTechnology '97
An exhibition of digitally altered photographs produced as part of a Middle School computer/photography class.
Senior May Projects
Month-long special projects by seniors. In the past, some students have proposed projects that enabled them to learn a skill, serve a community, explore career possibilities, or pursue independent studies.
Fractured Fairy Tales
Fractured fairy tales created by Margie Hillocks' 4th grade class.
Martian Sun-Times
A series of on-line science lessons comparing weather on Earth and Mars. Developed by Flo Vaughan and Jeff Benson of the Laboratory Schools.
1996-1997
1995-1996
Student Centennial Pages
Students celebrate the Laboratory Schools centennial.
Phototechnology, Spring '96
An exhibition of digitally altered photographs produced as part of a Middle School computer/photography class.
Island Project
The Island Project was developed by the students in Ms. Kathy Dorman's 1995-96 fifth grade class. The stories and maps are entirely student work.
1994-1995
1896-1990