Dissecting Geometry Term 1 – 3
2 April – 13 September 2024
In the Centre for Creativity
A Visual Arts and STEAM workshop for students | Stages 3 - 6 | Using the Sydney Opera House building as a catalyst for learning, and our Eddie Woo Maths at the Sydney Opera House videos, in this hand on workshop students create abstracted architectural models and drawings that explore the architecture and geometry of this unique heritage icon.
| Date | Time |
| Thursday 21 September 2023 | 10am, 12.30pm |
| Tuesday 2 April 2024 | 10am, 12.30pm |
| Wednesday 3 April 2024 | 10am, 12.30pm |
| Thursday 4 April 2024 | 10am, 12.30pm |
| Monday 9 September 2024 | 10am, 12.30pm |
| Tuesday 10 September 2024 | 10am, 12.30pm |
| Wednesday 11 September 2024 | 10am, 12.30pm |
| Thursday 12 September 2024 | 10am, 12.30pm |
| Friday 13 September 2024 | 10am, 12.30pm |
| Ticket | Price |
| Standard | $15 |
Minimum group rates may apply for classes with less than 25 students. Ratio required for supervision is one teacher per 15 students.
The only authorised ticket agency for this event is the Sydney Opera House. For more information about Authorised Agencies, see the frequently asked questions below.
Suitable for Stages 3 - 6
This event is recommended for Years 5 - 12.
The Opera House is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children that visit or engage with us. Read our Child Safety Policy
Run time
This program runs for 90 mins.
Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.
Student commentI draw to see things from a new perspective
Exploring mathematics through visual arts
Utilising the charismatic and thought-provoking Eddie Woo Maths at the Sydney Opera House videos, students will learn about architecture, perspective, geometry and Jorn Utzon and Ove Arup’s Spherical Solution to gain an understanding of the mechanics, engineering and sheer creativity involved in constructing the iconic Sydney Opera House.
Students develop a series of drawings through observing the structure of the building, and work with archival photographs and objects to dissect the mathematical patterns, additive and pre-fabricated elements of the building to create new or alternative versions of the Opera House. From here, students use installation and sculptural processes to enlarge, distort, emphasise and recreate aspects of the building from different perspectives.
In this workshop students:
- Create a series of observational sketches, collaborative three-dimensional drawings and small sculptural models that replicate the geometry of the Sydney Opera House
- Work with their classmates to distort and abstract patterns and structures of the Opera House to create new imagined versions of the Opera House and surrounding buildings
- Develop an understanding of the Utzon Design Principles, in particular Utzon’s use of additive architecture, counter balance, sculpture and form
- Interrogate historic and contemporary maps, photographs, drawings and models of the Sydney Opera House and consider how architects, engineers and builders collaborated and problem solved to create the building seen today
Sydney Opera House presents Dissecting Geometry, developed by Sarah Fitzgerald in collaboration with the Creative Learning Team at the Sydney Opera House.
Sydney Opera House recognises the work of educator Eddie Woo in developing and delivering Mathematics teaching and learning strategies specific to the Sydney Opera House that have informed the outcomes and activities for this Creative Learning Module.
A Day Out at the House
Are you looking to extend your school excursion time onsite at Sydney Opera House?
For specific performances and workshops over the year we have combined a ‘performance/workshop’ with a walking tour of Sydney Opera House for a total 3-4 hour experience for your students at the House.
Arts Assist
The Sydney Opera House is committed to providing the very best national and international performing arts experiences to NSW students as part of their educational studies.
The Sydney Opera House Arts Assist program provides the full cost of the Creative Learning performance ticket and $5 per student toward travel costs. School applications are assessed according to socioeconomic disadvantage, schools with special needs and individual responses regarding the School Profile and School Community.
The Sydney Opera House thanks and acknowledges our generous Arts Assist donors; The Greatorex Foundation and Sydney Opera House Ladies’ Committee.
Other information
Venue information
Our foyers will be open 60 minutes pre-show for Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and two hours pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Refreshments will be available for purchase from our theatre bars.
All Sydney Opera House foyers are pram accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to all foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators). Pram parking will be available outside the theatres in the Western Foyer.
Frequently asked questions
We recommend your group arrives early at the venue, at least 45 minutes prior to the performance start time.
If you are late, we will seat you as soon as possible, but please be aware that some events have lock out periods where late comers cannot be admitted until a suitable break in the performance. Occasionally this is not until the interval, and in some instances late comers won’t be admitted at all.
Please call Front of House on 02 9250 7134 to notify us if your group is running late.
The closest location to disembark from buses and coaches is on Macquarie Street. Please contact City of Sydney to confirm bus and coach set down areas. We recommend allowing an additional 10 minutes for walking from Macquarie Street. There is no bus parking onsite at Sydney Opera House.
Circular Quay is the closest station for public transport via train, bus and ferry. We recommend allowing 15 minutes to walk from Circular Quay for school groups. To view timetable information and ensure your public transport needs can be met, please contact Transport NSW. Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on COVID-19 safety measures for public transport.
The safety and security of everyone visiting our site is paramount. We require all items larger than the dimensions of an A4 piece of paper to be cloaked. As our cloakrooms have limited space, we request that where possible teachers and students do not bring large bags/backpacks with them to the performance.
Yes. Please visit our Policies page for more information.
If your students are bringing a packed lunch, Royal Botanic Gardens adjacent to the Opera House is quite pleasant in fine weather. Alternatively, our restaurants offer everything from casual snacks to kid friendly meals.
Food and drink are permitted inside the foyers, but not in the venues.
Please contact our Creative Learning Ticketing Specialists on 02 9250 7770 as soon as possible to advise if your group can no longer attend. If your group can no longer attend because your school is located in a hotspot, or has had a positive case of COVID-19 symptoms, the Opera House has introduced flexible ticketing options to help you.
The Opera House is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children that visit or engage with us. Read our Child Safety Policy.
The Opera House has also developed a Child-friendly Code of Conduct to engage with our youngest visitors.
Getting here
The Sydney Opera House Car Park, operated by Wilson Parking, is open and available to use. Wilson Parking offer discounted parking if you book ahead. Please see the Wilson Parking website for details.
Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on travel. You can catch public transport (bus, train, ferry) to Circular Quay and enjoy a six min walk to the Opera House.
Covid-safe information
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We’re committed to making your experience safe, comfortable and enjoyable, with a number of measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. We remind our audiences and visitors to please stay home if you feel unwell. If you need to discuss your ticketing or booking options, contact our Box Office team on 02 9250 7777.
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We have a number of safety measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. While face masks are no longer required, we ask all our patrons and visitors to practise good hygiene. Please stay home if you feel unwell and read more about our flexible ticket options.
The Sydney Opera House no longer requires patrons to show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
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