Time and Motion Mondrian Clock STEAM kit with completed student clock showing moving hands and abstract Mondrian-style design

What makes time tick? ⏰

In this hands-on STEAM kit, kids build a real working clock while exploring timekeeping, gears, and motion—all inspired by the bold, geometric art of Piet Mondrian.

As they assemble the clock, students see how a quartz crystal, battery, and motor work together to move the hands, and how connected gears make the second, minute, and hour hands turn at steady, predictable speeds. Then comes the fun part: kids design a one-of-a-kind clock face with Mondrian-style lines and primary colors, blending engineering and creativity into a functional piece they can proudly display.

Perfect for classrooms, libraries, maker spaces, and STEAM events, this kit turns a simple everyday object into a hands-on learning experience where science, art, and design work together.

Build it. Decorate it. Discover the science behind every tick.

Time and Motion - Mondrian Clock Kit

$5.00

Quantity

Grades 2-8
Clock mechanism with quartz movement

Clock hands (hour, minute, second)

White chipboard clock face

Red, yellow, and blue sticker paper

Black tape for creating bold grid lines

Easy-to-follow kid-friendly printable activity plan and step by step assembly video

AA battery
In this hands-on STEAM kit, kids explore how science, engineering, and art work together to make a real working clock. As they build and decorate their clock, they will:

Learn how a quartz crystal and battery keep a steady beat

See how a motor and gear train move the clock hands

Discover how the second, minute, and hour hands move at different speeds

Explore abstract art and design through Piet Mondrian’s signature style

This project combines engineering, timekeeping, and creativity, giving kids a fun, hands-on way to see science and art in action.
Science

Understand how a quartz crystal keeps time with a steady beat

Explore how electricity powers a motor to create motion

Investigate mechanical systems through connected gears

Technology

Learn how a clock mechanism works

Use components to build a working timekeeping device

Understand how science and technology combine in everyday objects

Engineering

Discover how a gear train transfers motion to the hour, minute, and second hands

Explore how gears move at different speeds to keep accurate time

Build and assemble a functional mechanical system

Art

Explore abstract art and design through Piet Mondrian’s iconic style

Learn how line, shape, and color create bold compositions

Express creativity by designing a one-of-a-kind clock face

Math

Understand time measurement: hours, minutes, and seconds

Apply problem-solving and measurement skills to assemble a working clock

Optional Extensions:

Count and sequence gear rotations – notice patterns as each gear turns

Explore gear speed relationships – investigate how different gear sizes affect hand movement

Skills Developed

Critical thinking and cause-and-effect reasoning

Fine motor skills and hands-on problem-solving

Design thinking and creative expression

Real-world applications of science, math, and engineering concepts
Art & Artist Background — Great for Kids & Educators

Britannica – Piet Mondrian biography — Trusted overview of the artist’s life, style, and influence.

Britannica Kids – Piet Mondrian (students’ version) — Kid‑friendly art history overview.

De Stijl Facts for Kids — Simplified explanation of the De Stijl art movement’s principles (lines, rectangles, primary colors).

Mondrian’s style and influence – ArtMajeur — Discussion of his grid, primary colors, and role in modern abstract art.

Khan Academy – De Stijl & Mondrian — Educational overview of De Stijl, early abstraction, and Mondrian’s work.

Crayola – Mondrian’s Shapes and Colors Lesson Plan — A guided activity exploring shapes and primary colors in Mondrian style.

Science & Timekeeping (Clock Basics)

Britannica Kids – Clock — Overview of how clocks work, including hands, gears, and timekeeping.

Britannica Kids – Clock (Students) — Detailed explanation of quartz clock mechanisms.

Explain That Stuff – Quartz Clock & Watch — Step-by-step explanation of analog quartz clock parts.

Instructables – What’s in a Quartz Clock? — Breakdown of clock components for hands-on learning.

Explain That Stuff – Piezoelectricity — Explains how quartz crystals vibrate when electricity flows through them.

YouTube – Clock Component Teardown -Internals of Quartz Clock Mechanisms by Robert Massaioli

Engineering & Gears (Movement & Mechanisms)

Explain That Stuff – Gears & Gear Trains — Kid-friendly introduction to gears and gear trains.