Exploring
Science through Art
This is an art and science programme for schools
at Broad Oak Nature Reserve, Canterbury, Pfizer UK, Sandwich, and in
the classrooms of the Kent schools involved - Langdon Primary School
and St Saviours School, Westgate on Sea.
Although the teaching of DNA as a topic is usually part of the KS3 Programme of Study, the content has been adapted to an appropriate level for upper KS2 pupils. National curriculum links include:
· Sc1 1a+b that the life processes common to animals and plants include…reproduction.
· Sc1 2b consider what sources of information, including first-hand experience and a range of other sources, they will use to answer questions.
· Sc1 2j use observation, measurements or other data to draw conclusions.
· Sc2 4a to make and use keys.
· Sc2 4b how locally occurring animals and plants can be identified and assigned to groups.
· Sc2 4c that the variety of plants and animals makes it important to identify them and assign them to groups.
· Sc2 5b about the different plants and animals found in different habitats.
· Sc2 5c how animals and plants in different habitats are suited to their environment.
Art National
Curriculum Links
One of the major positive aspects of this project is the chance to work closely
with a professional artist and to experiment with ideas and techniques not
usually attempted within School.
National curriculum links include:
· A1c collect visual and other information to help them develop their
ideas, including using a sketchbook.
· A2a investigate and combine visual and tactile qualities of materials
and processes and match these qualities to the purpose of the work.
· A2b apply their experience of materials and processes, including
drawing, developing their control of tools and techniques.
· A2c use a variety of methods and approaches to communicate observations,
ideas and feelings, and to design and make images and artefacts.
Links to the QCA Schemes of Work
Art
1A - Self-portrait - representations
1C - What is sculpture? - man-made/natural sculptures and the role of the
sculptor
2B - Mother Nature, designer - natural 2D representations
3A - Portraying relationships - self portraits
3C - Can we change places? - creating a sculpture
5A Objects and meanings - variations on a theme
6A - A sense of place - 2D and 3D representations at Broad Oak Nature
Reserve
Science
2B - Plants and animals in the local environment
2C - Variation
4B - Habitats
6A - Interdependence and adaptation
Cross-curricular links
In addition to the core areas of Art and Science in this project, there were also opportunities to develop other areas of the curriculum, e.g:
Maths
· Problem-solving
· Looking for generalisations in number patterns
· Number and spatial patterns in Nature
English
· Research into scientific issues raised e.g. genetic engineering,
and participation in a persuasive debate
RE
· Awe and wonder at the huge variation of living things and the
amazing scale of cellular genetic information
· The uniqueness of each individual
ICT
· Use of the internet for research purposes and the selection of
visual images
Artists and their
work
The following artists have been
used as references for the project:
Vincent Van Gogh, Rembrandt - for
ideas about self portraits.
Andy Goldsworthy and David Nash - for the use of natural materials for
art.
Henri Matisse - for collage work in relation to spirals and Fibonacci
maths.
Cluade Monet
- for his approach to painting nature and its
relation to and contrast with things seen at Broad Oak Nature Reserve.
Useful websites and addresses (click on these to connect)
www.nc.uk.net - The National Curriculum Online. This site is a valuable link to the NC and to many other sites relating methods and reference material.
www.naturegrid.org.uk
- especially the 'Biodiversity' pages- this is the site for the Canterbury
Environmental Education Centre. Also the section on the Exploring through
Art Programmes. This project is Programme 3 -
www.naturegrid.org.uk/expart/index.html
www.kent.gov.uk/e&l/ngfl/home.html
- Kent County Council's National Grid for Learning Home (NGFL) page
www.standards.dfee.gov.uk/schemes/ - The Standards Site of the Department for Education and Skills for QCA schemes of work.
www.microbe.org/microbes/DNA.asp
www.mcs.surrey.ac.uk - this has useful information on Fibonacci.
Jeans for Genes Appeal - an annual charity fundraising appeal for children's charities linked to genetic disorders. (Usually held on a particular day in October) For an information pack, contact via their website: www.cgd.org.uk
www.art-ideas.co.uk/coppice.html to see other art that Paul Goodrick has been making in the coppice area of woodland. The schools involved be visit the coppice to collect their art and sculptural materials at Broad Oak Nature Reserve. This web site changes regularly as the art develops and the seasons change the the landscape.
www.npg.org.uk. The web site of the National Portrait Gallery in London, contains images and reference material on self-portraits.
The search engine www.google.com
offers the chance to search for visual images of DNA as well as information.
