Media Taste Test Stations

Objective: Provide a low-pressure space for students to sample four different art media, notice how each feels, and identify which one sparks their creativity most.

Setup (5 minutes)

• Arrange four tables or corners in the room, each dedicated to one medium:
  1. Watercolor Painting Station: Watercolor pans, brushes, water cups, watercolor paper
  2. Markers & Colored Pencils Station: Variety of markers, colored pencils, sketch paper
  3. Clay Modeling Station: Air-dry clay, modeling tools, small boards
  4. Collage Creations Station: Magazines, fabric scraps, glue sticks, scissors, cardstock
• Label each station clearly and place a timer at the teacher’s station.
• Divide students into four equally sized groups and assign each group a starting station.

Station Rotation Instructions (25 minutes)

1. Explain the process (2 minutes):
   • Students will spend 5 minutes at each station.
   • At the timer’s beep, students clean up quickly and rotate to the next station in numerical order.
   • Encourage experimentation—there are no mistakes, just discoveries!
2. Run four 5-minute rounds:
   • Round 1: Groups at Station 1 → Station 2 → Station 3 → Station 4
   • Round 2: Continue rotations until each group has visited all stations.
   • Use a visible timer or chime to signal rotations.

Station Prompts

• Watercolor Painting: Try blending two colors to create a gradient or wet-on-wet wash. Notice how the paint moves.
• Markers & Colored Pencils: Draw the same simple shape three times, experimenting with shading, layering, or patterns.
• Clay Modeling: Build a small form (animal, object, abstract shape). Pay attention to how the clay feels in your hands.
• Collage Creations: Assemble magazine images or fabrics into a quick thumbnail composition. Focus on arrangement and contrast.

At each station, students should jot or sketch one quick note about how the medium felt:
• What was most fun or surprising?
• What felt easy or challenging?

Encourage quick bullet notes; full sentences aren’t required.

Post-Taste Test Reflection

• After all rotations, gather students and remind them to check their notes:
  • Which station felt most intuitive or exciting?
  • Which medium would they choose if they could keep creating?
• Transition into the Superpower Reflection Prompts Journal for deeper writing and sketching.

This activity is part of the Art Superpower Roadmap to help students discover their unique creative strengths.

Superpower Reflection Prompts Journal

Use the experiences from our Media Taste Test Stations Activity and class discussions to explore your unique art superpower. Answer the prompts below—write in complete sentences, sketch when you can, and let your creativity shine!

1. Your Favorite Medium

Which art medium felt most like your superpower? Describe how it felt to create with this medium and what made it stand out.

2. What Makes It Powerful

Why did this medium feel natural or exciting for you? Think about the tools, the textures, or the techniques you enjoyed most.

3. Superpower Sketch or Symbol

Sketch a small icon, logo, or word that represents your art superpower. Label your drawing with its name or keywords.

4. Future Project Plan

How could you use this superpower in a future art project? Write a brief plan or idea describing:

• The project theme or subject
• How you’ll apply your superpower to make it special

5. Learning from Challenges

Reflect on a challenge you faced while exploring different media. How did discovering your superpower help you overcome or learn from that challenge?

6. Encouraging Others

Write a short statement you would share with a classmate to encourage them to discover and use their own art superpower.

7. Next Steps in Your Creative Journey

What new medium or technique would you like to try next to grow your creative skills? Describe one goal you have for yourself as an artist.

Keep this journal as a reminder of your strengths. Look back at your responses when you start a new art project!

Share Your Power Cool-Down

1. Partner Share (5 minutes)

• Find a partner and take turns sharing your identified art superpower:
  1. State your superpower name and describe how you discovered it.
  2. Share one example of how you might use it in a project.

Partner A's Superpower:

Name: ________________________

Why it inspires me:

Partner B's Superpower:

Name: ________________________

Why it inspires me:

2. Feedback Guidelines

• Use I notice... or I appreciate... statements.
• Ask one question that helps your partner expand their idea.
• Offer one suggestion for how they could showcase this superpower.

3. Group Presentation Planning (10 minutes)

• Form groups of 3–4. Share each partner’s superpower stories.
• Decide which story best represents your group’s art community.
• Plan a 1–2 minute presentation:

Group Members: ______________________________

Chosen Superpower Story:

Key Points to Highlight:

• Point 1: _________________________
• Point 2: _________________________
• Point 3: _________________________

4. Reflection & Wrap-Up (Whole Class)

• Each group presents their chosen story.
• As you listen, note one thing you learned about a peer’s creative strength:

My takeaway:

Use the insights from today to guide your next art project and encourage others to discover their own superpowers!