Online Mini-Courses on Art and Science (event)

The North Carolina Museum of Art offers educators a series of mini-courses on the connections between art and science. Participants explore topics through inquiry-based learning in an online community while gaining valuable classroom connections.

Each course is divided into three sections: Explore the Topic, Try Something New, and Share What You Think. In Explore the Topic, you will be introduced to new concepts, tools, and works of art to stimulate thinking and help you begin making connections between art and science. In Try Something New, we ask you to do some legwork to more deeply engage with the content and we introduce you to an artistic process. The Share What You Think section is exactly what it sounds like– sharing reflections and classroom ideas with your course colleagues so that you can maximize the benefits you receive from the course. The course(s) can be completed at your pace anytime between June 19 – August 21. There are no commitments to participate in live programs so you can work around your summer vacation plans.

Course goals:

• Explore topics through the lens of an artist and a scientist.
• Learn strategies for integrating art and science into your curriculum.
• Engage in K–8 professional development that is flexible and interactive.

Courses are aligned with the K–8 North Carolina Standard Course of Study for Visual Art and Science. They are open to educators of all disciplines and audiences. Each course can provide a certificate of participation for 2.5 hours, and up to 10 hours if all four courses are completed. (0.25–1.0 CEU, with approval from your local school system).

For more information contact Kristin Smith. 

Course Topics are as follows:

Art and the Science of Looking

Inquiry: Observation and Perception

The goal of this course is to help you, and eventually your students, harness the power of observation in absorbing science concepts through inquiry-driven, art-based practices. In the course you will:

–       Practice strategies for looking closely using works of art from the collection

–       Learn about biological Illustration and its use in the classroom

–       Create your own drawings and share ideas with others

Art and Systems

Earth Science: Part to Whole

The goal of this course is to help you, and eventually your students, use art and art-based processes to practice systems thinking and deepen understanding of systems in the natural world.

In the course you will:

–       Explore systems and systems thinking through concept mapping and consider how it applies to your own classroom

–       Learn about using Visual Journals as a means to document learning

–       Create your own journals and consider complex weather systems

Art and Physics

Physical Science: Force and Motion

The overall goal of this course is to help you, and eventually your students, explore and explain physics concepts through the visual arts and art processes.

In the course you will:

–       Explore physics concepts associated with forces and motion as you explore the work of Vollis Simpson

–       Learn about creating your own mini maker space

–       Create your own kinetic sculpture using found materials

Art and Ecology

Life Science: Ecosystems

The overall goal of this course is to help you, and eventually your students, build ecological awareness through inquiry with works of art and environment.

In the course you will:

–       Examine how works of art can build environmental awareness

–       Learn how to integrate Google Tour Builder and arts-based practice into your curriculum by investigating an environment near you

–       Create your own Google Tour and learn some watercolor techniques