Artistic expression of original research: A case study at the intersection of art, science communication, and informal STEM education

Sunday, November 10, 2024

1:42 PM – 1:54 PM MST

Location: Phoenix Convention Center, 221 B

Presenting Author(s)

Jessica Maccaro

Graduate Student
University of California
Riverside, California

Co-Author(s)

BB

Boris Baer

Professor Investigador
University of California
Riverside, California
PM

Peter R. Marting

Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama
TN

Tanya Nieri

University of California
Riverside, California
DO

Daniel Ozer

University of California
Riverside, California

"Artistic Expression Of Original Research” is a science communication program that invites STEM graduate students to explore the intersection of science and art. Participants engage with various art forms guided by experts across mediums from poetry, animation, abstract art, mixed media, etc. This culminates in a series of art shows to showcase their original research and data through art. The STEM graduate students present their art in a poster session style where they can speak face to face with community members about their work. Through translating our science into art we are not only able to communicate science in a new way but also to understand it in a new light. Besides simply clarifying facts, we discovered what our science means to us and how it might be meaningful to the local communities that attend the art shows. This talk will present the program and share the survey data we have gathered to assess the impact of this type of trans-disciplinary, art-based collaboration on STEM grad students and local community members who attend the art shows. We hope this talk will inspire and guide any scientists toward creating this experience in their own communities.