In a fun and hands-on project, sixth graders at Willets Road School, part of the East
Williston School District, crafted 3D slices of layered cake during their art classes.
Under the guidance of art teacher Melinda Gomez, the students faced a unique challenge to create a realistic cake using only colored paper, scissors, glue, tape and a pencil. The students also had to decide the cake’s flavor, design decorations, pick an occasion and create a custom place design to display their slice. Working in small groups, the sixth graders collaborated to share ideas, assign roles and problem-solve together, building essential life skills like teamwork, resourcefulness and time management.
With limited materials, the sixth graders transformed ordinary materials into intricate and imaginative cake designs. After completing their unique cakes, the students celebrated their efforts by displaying their paper-based creations, holding a fun awards ceremony to recognize standout designs in categories like best decoration, most creative theme and best construction.
The 3D cake challenge nurtured the students’ artistic skills and helped develop their confidence, communication abilities and appreciation for collaboration. By engaging in a creative, hands-on experience, the students learned how working together can bring ideas to life, demonstrating how projects that integrate creativity and teamwork enhance learning beyond the classroom.
