Archive for November, 2012

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STEM into STEAM: What’s in it for the Arts?

November 3, 2012

Another view

Thank you to Ann Thompson who has contributed this blog post on her recent experience and knowledge on STEM/STEAM.

While many are broadcasting the merits of attaching art to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math curriculum thrust, turning STEM into STEAM, art teachers often remain wary. They wonder, “Will this compromise my art content?” and “Does this put art learning at the service of other disciplines?” “Don’t we struggle to have art acknowledged as an important, stand alone, component to a complete education?” These concerns should be taken into consideration but I believe there is also an opportunity for both artists and STEM teachers to collaborate across disciplines to their mutual benefit.

I recently returned from a wonderful conference sponsored by several arts organizations in New Hampshire that included a panel discussion on STEM into STEAM. Panelists included:

  • Dr. Foad Afshar, Psy.D.,EdM,BAis a member of the Faculty of Psychology and Art Education at the NH.Institute of Art, Manchester, N.H.
  • Mark MacLean, MBE, CAGS, Assistant Superintendent of the Kearsarge Regional School District
  • Kirsten Reynolds, BFA, Video Art,Syracuse University, MFA, Studio Art, Maine College of Art www.kirstenreynolds.com
  • Dr. Elizabeth F. Smith, BA, Ph.D., Professor of Biological Sciences at Dartmouth College
  • Spencer Topel, BM, MM Assistant Professor & Technical Director in the Department of Music, Dartmouth College
  • Moderator, Nancy Serrell, BS,MA Director of Science & Technology Outreach for Dartmouth College, Senior Consultant for Dartmouth’s Toxic Metals Research Program

The discussion posed several essential questions:

  • Can the Arts deepen the process & meaning of STEM subjects?
  • Does Art pose a question in the way that science does? Is there a difference in the sort of creativity used by a scientist and an artists’ creative practice?
  • What art skills and practices are relevant to STEM?

The consensus was that there are many parallels between art and science and that the arts can “collaborate, integrate & enhance” STEM learning. Artists need observational and analytical skills and patience to the same degree that scientists do. Creative juxtapositions can lead to new discoveries in both disciplines and “failures” often reveal new possibilities. Of course the pragmatic relationship to STEM for artists would be to discover new revenue streams for supporting the arts. STEM is very much on the table at the moment and as one educator put it,”If you aren’t on the table, you might be on the menu.”

Personally I believe artists have much to gain from associating with the STEM topics. We have always looked to nature and the physical world for inspiration and routinely transform materials. There has always been a degree of science in art as well as math and engineering, particularly in 3Dimensional art forms. Eco Art has become an established field and many Institutions are offering Art/Science Research Fellowships including the Smithsonian Museum. Read about their Fellows recent projects here: http://stevenmontgomery.net/individualtext.php?sectionId=4&textId=11&title=2012%20Smithsonian%20Artist%20Research%20Fellowship

For more information on STEM into STEAM:

Ann Thompson

Posted in Curriculum and Instruction, VPA | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

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Service Learning

November 2, 2012

Opportunity

As was once again pointed out to me last week while I was at the middle level conference (MAMLE) at Sugarloaf, the arts and service learning are a great match! When I received this information from a colleague on a workshop opportunity for planning and implementing service learning I was compelled to include it in a blog post for you to consider. It is a two-day workshop that will provide all the details around helping you guide your students to service learning.

The Service-Learning planning and implementing workshop will be held on November 29-30, 2012; 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at REAL School, Mackworth Island in Falmouth.

Service-learning is a hands-on, learner-centered teaching strategy that challenges young people to work with community partners, applying academic knowledge and skills to solve real problems and needs.  Through service-learning, students develop and demonstrate proficiency of content standards, including essential 21st century skills – critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and team work.

This 2-day training will help participants develop a basic understanding of KIDS Consortium’s award winning service-learning model. Through interactive games and visuals, participants will learn the difference between community based learning, community service, and service-learning, and why service-learning is an effective teaching strategy. You will be prepared to implement a high quality service-learning project using tools and strategies from our KIDS As Planners Guidebook and have time to plan “how to” integrate service-learning in to your teaching environment and receive feedback on your ideas.

Registration is required. Fee is $300 and includes the KIDS As Planners Guidebook, contact hours certificate, light breakfast and lunch each day. Please visit our Website to register. We accept, check, PO’s, and credit card payments: http://www.kidsconsortium.org/getting_started.php

Here’s what participants have said about this workshop:

“The graphic organizers that illustrate the service-learning process were very helpful.  Each activity we did helped in the learning process.  I feel much more prepared for guiding my students through service-learning.”
 
“I enjoyed the time you allowed us to digest, reflect and try parts of the information/activities presented.”
 
“I am inspired to return to my science students and provide them with more voice and choice…I am so passionate about environmental stewardship, yet I was reminded of the importance of stepping back and letting the students take the lead.”

Graduate Course: KIDS as Planners – Service-Learning Institute for Educators

KIDS Consortium is offering a year-long (October 2012-June 2013) Graduate Course for three credits in collaboration with Endicott College and the Mount Desert Island Regional School System.  The course includes five face-to-face class sessions throughout the year (dates below) and additional virtual monthly assignments.  The class sessions will be held on Mount Desert Island.

Class sessions:

  • November 20, 2012 – 3:30-7:30 pm
  • December 6, 2012 – 3:30-7:30 pm
  • February 12, 2013 – 3:30-7:30 pm
  • March 26, 2013 – 3:30-7:30 pm
  • June 18, 2013 – 3:30 – 7:30 pm

Based on the award winning KIDS model of service-learning, participants will discover the steps in creating a quality service-learning experience in partnership with students and community organizations. This course will be an interactive, collaborative learning experience. Course participants will a service-learning plan to implement with students in the spring of 2013.  These plans will be integrated with curriculum requirements and assessment models, including strategies to build a collaborative environment in the classroom and help students reflect on and celebrate their work.

To learn more, please visit: http://www.kidsconsortium.org/course_institute.php

KIDS Consortium is also interested in customizing courses to meet the needs of your school district.  Please contact us to discuss opportunities for the Summer of 2013 and the 2013-14 school year!!

Posted in Community, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Opportunity, Professional Development, VPA | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

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Pumpkin Carving

November 1, 2012

Not to late to see a little pumpkin carving – this is amazing!

Thank you to Debbie Bickford for sharing this link. The artist who carves the pumpkins is Ray Villifani. I hope you share this one with your students!

Posted in Food for thought, Visual Arts | Tagged | Leave a Comment »

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