Students are shown various silhouettes in class. Discussion follows each one as to how effective it is in terms of readability. (Can you tell what it is just by the shadow/silhouette?). Since the students will be using only a single color of material, they must make their window cling a "readable" silhouette.

Minnesota Rubber and Plastics produces, among many things, rubber handles for medical and surgical equipment.

When producing medical handles, each handle is individually molded in large mold presses. Raw rubber is put into the presses where heat and enormous pressure are used to produce a precise instrument that may be used to help doctors perform specialized surgeries or any number of intricate procedures.

After each mold cycle a small amount of rubber is left above the mold cavity. We use this flat piece of rubber for special projects.

First, a piece of paper is given to students along with a piece of rubber. They trace the rubber shape onto the paper, cut it out, and use the paper as a "test" piece for their window cling. If they can successfully draw their window cling silhouette AND cut it out, they may trace the cut out onto the rubber slab with sharpie and cut it out.

While students work we talk about static cling and suction cups and discuss the science behind each.

The Atwater Elementary Art Department is very grateful for the generous donation Minnesota Rubber has made for these fun projects!