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1 dioramas in Focus This Enrichment4You e-guide focuses on creating a multisensory diorama - also known as an immersion diorama. This e-guide is an extensive presentation of wonderful ideas, projects, recipes and much more that combine sight, sound, touch, scent and sound into tabletop immersion dioramas. We provide the suggestions, you provide the creativity. The end result is an exceptional, one of a kind approach to making dioramas. History, Art, Science Dioramas ENRICHMENT4YOU Published by Henrich Incorporated Copyright 2005 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without first obtaining the written permission of the copyright owner.

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Overview 2. Layout 2. Creating a Multisensory Diorama 3. Diorama Recipes 4. Creating a Layered Diorama 5. Creating a Simple Box Diorama 6. Creating a Four-sided Diorama 7. Creating a Frame Diorama PAGE # History, Art, Science Dioramas

3 Dioramas are an exciting way to create a scenic display to represent a larger scale item. It presents in three dimensional form a scene from history, a book or nature. Many museums recreate stunning scenes from history, nature or historic events in precise detail. Not only does the diorama provide a visual scene, it often incorporates sound and historically based information. In other words, your senses are touched in as many ways as possible. This Enrichment4You e-guide is designed to provide you the basics in creating a sensory exciting diorama. Traditional dioramas were limited to a reproduction of the habitat, protected behind glass or in some type of recessed space. Today, the concept of immersion design opens up limitless possibilities in creating multisensory experiences. The large displays in museums or discovery centers now allow a young person to place their foot inside that of a dinosaurs footprint, make crafts, or play a computer game about the display. These full-scale dioramas allow the visitor to walk into the display and interact using all their senses. Taking the idea of immersion design down to a table top display can be a very rewarding and exciting process. Throughout this e-guide are numerous suggestions for creating a miniaturized immersion diorama. We provide ideas that can be recreated with easily obtained materials. We provide the ideas - you provide the creativity. History, Art, Science 1 Dioramas

4 LAYOUT The first step in creating a diorama is determining the theme. Once you know the theme you will be creating, the next step will be to determine the general layout. The following are a few steps to consider: 1. Scale - How large will your diorama be? The larger the diorama, the stronger the base material. Smaller dioramas can be made from cardboard, foam core board or styrofoam. Larger dioramas will need a wood or plexiglass base. 2. Materials -What materials will you use for the diorama? The weight of the material you use to create your diorama will determine the type of base and permanency. If you only plan to show your diorama once, keep the materials simple. On the other hand if you want to keep your diorama for a while, use high-quality, long lasting materials. 3. Permanent/nonpermanent - How long does your diorama need to last? If you are doing this as a simple school or craft project, of course you may not spend a great deal or time on the diorama. In this case, cardboard boxes in different sizes might suit your requirement. If the diorama needs to last weeks, months or years, then the materials need to be resistant to the elements. The elements may be weather, people, or animals. History, Art, Science 2 Dioramas 4. Location - Where will the diorama be displayed? If your diorama will be outside and exposed to all types of weather conditions, select materials that are weather resistant. If your diorama will be inside, but viewed by people, will you need to create a barrier such as glass or a frame to prevent handling damage?

5 LAYOUT - The Basics Rule 1: Keep it simple. Select a base that meets the requirements. You don t need a huge piece of wood for a simple diorama of paper fish. A shoe box might be more appropriate. Also, you will want a base that won t warp or break. Picture frames offer an excellent base since they have finished edges and either a glass or plexiglass base. Remember, sometimes it is better to focus on a few elements rather that take on a whole event or setting. It is like picture cropping. Focus on the main thing you want to present and discard the excess. Rule 2: Keep it balanced. Scale is important. Don t place a supersized object next to another feature that is proportionally wrong. Keep all your diorama objects within the same scale. Rule 3: Keep it uncluttered. Too many features can overwhelm a viewer. Diorama creating should incorporate selective elements. Rule 4: Place the diorama elements in interesting positions. Position objects in the following manner to make your diorama more visually exciting: *Position large objects in the rear. *Position buildings, cars, ships, etc. at an angle to the sides of the base. History, Art, Science 3 Dioramas *To focus attention on one area, position figures of people or animals facing that direction. *Fill-in the empty spaces between the larger elements on a diagonal

6 LAYOUT Materials All dioramas require basic material. The following is a list of materials to have available *Base Material - Cardboard boxes, wood, plexiglass *All purpose glue *Textured papers or picture scenes for back drops *Papier mache materials - homemade strip and mash versions, plaster dipping gauze or strips, or pre-made materials such as Celluclay (instant pulp papier mache or Sculptamold). *Water - clean water for mixing instant papier mache, glues, cleaning brushes *Styrofoam - different thicknesses *Textural material - sand, gravel, rock, bark, moss History, Art, Science 4 Dioramas *Paint - Acrylic, spray, glow in the dark, fluorescent *X-Acto knife - ADULT SUPERVISION REQUIRED *Ovenbaked clay such as Sculpey or Fimo for making miniatures or tree bark *Paintbrushes - various sizes *Simulated water ingredients - Resin, clear latex, gel medium *Containers for mixing and pouring