Where Science and the Arts Meet
Badge for the Science Scouts of Exemplary Repute and Above Average Physique Source: The Science Creative Quarterly
When it comes to school, most people believe they are either left-brain or right-brain, logical or creative, scientist or artist. But in order to be completely educated, we must engage in both parts of ourselves and our brains. Mastery of each is not essential, but understanding is.
For many, science is the more difficult hurdle to cross. It can be technical and jargony and all together intimidating for the non-expert. However, it need not be that way.
Geneticist David Ng of the University of BC is bringing creativity and the hard sciences together in an amazing series of projects. Through the Advanced Molecular Biology Laboratory (AMBL), a facility to provide life science learning experiences for both general public and scientific communities, Ng has created an online science magazine called The Science Creative Quarterly (SCQ), runs The Science Creative Literacy Symposium, co-teaches a cross-disciplinary seminar with the Arts Department, and established Terry, website associated with the course which highlights the set of related projects and events that connect undergraduates in the sciences and the humanities – the two largest faculties at UBC – in order to promote discussions of global issues and social responsibility. All of these projects focus on Ng’s “central concept of ‘talking science’ though usually in unexpected ways.”
Ng’s work with young students was inspired by a visit to 826 Valencia.
“I thought — wouldn’t it be great if something creative could be done with a science angle,” Ng recalls. He had been interested in trying to reach out to elementary schools, primarily to expand beyond the lab’s high-school program. But there were concerns that AMBL’s fully functioning genetics lab was simply too technical for children under 12. Maybe writing was the angle that could draw younger children in, Ng thought.
After approaching the Creative Writing department, Ng developed a program that paired one graduate student in creative writing with one graduate student in science who then created a workshop to “introduce a scientific concept, and then have the children use that knowledge to make a creative work.” These workshops addressed a variety of topics including fuel cells and playwriting and stem cells and poetry. Engaging, fun, and educational. Definitely a way to discuss science in an unusual and unexpected way.
On a side note, Robert Krulwich, co-host of Radio Lab, recently gave a commencement address at Cal Tech on the need for scientists to communicate their work to broad audiences through storytelling. Much like Ng, Krulwich expresses the importance of sharing advanced science in creative and unique ways. Definitely worth a listen.
Thanks for the hat tip. We’re actually full on with this field trip initiative now, with a sustainable funding schematic in place to host about 30 to 50 of these each year. As well, we’re starting up discussions between Biodiversity and Visual Arts folks to begin another outreach opportunity modeled around the arts/science connect of the Science Creative Literacy Symposia.