Skye Galley Biology Lab- 1615 Scientific Paper- final draft

Integrating Art and Science in Undergraduate Education

Although science and art may seem like two different branches of study, scientists have researched a link between the two that allows for increase in learning and understanding of scientific studies. Some examples of famous scientists who showed interest in the arts were Galilei, Newton, and Faraday. The passion for discovering new ideas and theories separated these accomplished scientists from the rest. They were able to view things differently and find ways to incorporate imagination with scientific hypothesis. A study at DePauw University, Villin, was taken to observe the importance of taking a biochemistry class along with a sculpting class. The students were taught scientific information regarding biochemistry in class and then assigned to sculpt what they had learned. It was more meaningful to the students education because they were using three out of their five senses to learn the material -- the verbal and visual in-class lecture along with the hands-on opportunity to sculpt. The purpose of the study was to determine a correlation between the students understanding of science and their involvement in the arts. Researchers predicted that the students learning of the sciences would improve with their artistic involvement. Th e outcome was that the students were more involved with both classes, and they were able to better understand the material they were studying. The students were not the only ones who participated in this study; the faculty was also enthusiastic about the

projects and discussions with the class and seemed to benefit from both branches of study as well. The researchers who developed Villin were not the only ones to see the educational correlation improvements between the arts and sciences. The Conn-Selmer Institute, a musical instruments manufacturer and distributor, wrote: Involvement in the arts is associated with gains in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skill. Arts learning can also improve motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork. A 2005 report by the Rand Corporation about the visual arts argues that the intrinsic pleasures and stimulation of the art experience do more than sweeten an individuals lifeaccording to the report, they can connect people more deeply to the world and open them to a new ways of seeing, creating the foundation to forge social bonds and community cohesion. (Why Arts Educations Is Crucial, Conn -Selmer) The working relationship between the left side of the brain, math and science, and the right side of the brain, arts, is dependent on a deeper understanding and appreciation of each topic. Many people prefer the arts to the sciences because of the stimulating visual effects and ability to more easily understand the medium; whereas, science can be more difficult to comprehend and apply to ones daily life. By incorporating both art and science into learning one has a better understanding of both. The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination. Albert Einstein (BrainyQuote)

Works Cited:
Gurnon, Daniel, Julian Voss-Andreae, and Jacob Stanley. "Integrating Art and Science in Undergraduate Education." PLOS Biology:. N.p., 26 Feb. 2013. Web. 15 Apr. 2013. Selmer, Conn. MusicalAnnie Studios Winter Recital. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print. Frank, Adam. "Where Art And Science Meet, Exactly." NPR. NPR, 7 Feb. 2012. Web. 15 Apr. 2013. BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2013.