Making Connections for our Artistic Scientists

Art and Science? Yes, these two disciplines are intertwined! This book chapter provides several great resources in the reference section, and the first activity helps students (from middle ... See More

Art and Science? Yes, these two disciplines are intertwined! This book chapter provides several great resources in the reference section, and the first activity helps students (from middle school through college) see the depth and breadth of these connections. Students are given 3 X 5 cards with a phrase that describes an attribute of science and/or art. They are to find the matching (or opposite) attribute from another student’s card. For this activity, the teacher presents a combined social, visual, and auditory discrepant event that challenges learners’ simplistic views of science and art. The author also provides ways to connect this activity to acid-base chemistry, light and optics or the nature of science, as the engage stage of a 5 E inquiry lesson plan format. The book chapter challenges teachers to consider ways to make art instruction more scientific and to teach scientific concepts, skills, and habits through art activities.