Cardboard Sculpture Project | Pop Art Scale Shift Lesson | Middle & High School

Description

Cardboard Sculpture Project – Pop Art Scale Shift Lesson (Middle & High School)

Transform everyday objects into larger-than-life sculptures using only cardboard in this highly engaging 3D art project inspired by Claes Oldenburg and Pop Art.

Students explore sculpture, engineering, and design thinking while learning how to manipulate cardboard to create strong, detailed, and visually impactful forms.

 

Project Overview

In this lesson, students design and construct a cardboard-only sculpture of a familiar object, dramatically altering its scale to make the ordinary extraordinary.

This project emphasizes:

• Scale transformation (2x–3x size shift)
• Structural integrity and internal supports
• Craftsmanship and clean construction
• Creative problem-solving using limited materials

What’s Included

• ✔ Full Presentation (PDF)
  • Project introduction
  • Artist connections (Claes Oldenburg, cardboard sculpture artists)
  • Step-by-step process
  • Technique demos (grain manipulation, joinery, structure)
• ✔ Rubric (PDF)
  • Clear grading categories: Create, Present, Connect, Respond
  • Focus on technique, craftsmanship, concept, and reflection

 

• ✔ Student Self-Reflection / Critique Questions (PDF)
  • Ready to copy into Google Classroom
• ✔ Real Student Examples from Middle & High School Students
  • Helps students visualize expectations and possibilities

Skills & Concepts Covered

• Sculpture & 3D design
• Engineering and structural problem-solving
• Material exploration (cardboard techniques)
• Scale and proportion
• Artistic inspiration (Pop Art / Oldenburg)

Materials Needed

• Cardboard (shipping boxes, cereal boxes)
• Glue (hot glue or liquid glue)
• Basic tools (scissors, rulers, craft knives)

No paint required — focus on material-based craftsmanship.

Perfect For:

• Middle School Art
• High School Art
• Sculpture Units
• Sub plans or low-budget classrooms
• Teachers looking for a high-engagement, low-cost project

Why Teachers Love This Project

• Uses FREE / recycled materials
• Encourages creativity AND problem-solving
• Highly engaging for a wide range of learners
• Produces impressive, display-worthy work