Science of Art Consortium

Students learning about optics [Photo: Justin Kuravackal]

The need to know, create, explore and understand provides inspiration to the development of the human spirit. Science and art share this inspirational foundation, even though through time they’ve been separated.

To meet an articulated need for new and stimulating approaches to science and art education, the Museum of Glass has created an interdisciplinary program to not only rejoin the connections between science and art, but also connect them to other core subjects.

Students from schools in the Science of Art Consortium gain an understanding of this remarkable fusion through:

  • a scheduled classroom lesson presented by a Museum art educator
  • an engaging and interactive Museum visit
  • meaningful post-visit assessments and evaluations

Additionally, educators will fulfill important Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) which may include Communications, Science, Art, Reading, Writing, Social Studies and/or History. Students may also explore art and science themes by experiencing a visit from our Mobile Hot Shop which travels to various schools and community events. Science of Art is an ideal way to reach all learning types, from the kinetic to the aural; from the scientists to the art lovers, everyone will find something that excites them.

About Science of Art Museum Visits

For six weeks each year, the Museum of Glass guides student groups to look at art through a scientific lens. For those schools selected by the Education Department to participate, the nearly 3-hour visit rotates students through four different areas all with different learning experiences. Those areas are:

[Image: glassblowing in the Hot Shop (Photo by Justin Kuravackal)]Hot Shop

This space features live glassblowing demonstrations where visitors can witness elements of science incorporated into the creative process.

[Image: Jill Reynolds Table of Elements (detail)Galleries

This is a specialized tour of our galleries, focusing on both the artistic and scientific themes in the work.

[Image: girl working in Studio (Photo by Justin Kuravackal)]Studio

This space introduces a scientific principle followed by a related hands-on art project that ties into the exhibitions.

[Image: SOA in the Theater]Theater

A video presentation is offered with a reflection period closing the tour.

We can take up to 60 students in each time slot, split into smaller groups of no more than 20 each.

Take a look at this year’s units…

Christine Koukles, a teacher at Lister Elementary School in Tacoma, WA and Science of Art Consortium member, presented her 4th-graders with a creative challenge: Each student was asked to reflect upon the works of glassblowing maestro Lino Tagliapietra, recreate a piece in a drawing, and offer a metaphorical description in writing. Very inspiring! What do you see in Lino's art?

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Finn Fest 2007 Glass Bird
Summer Stint by Oiva Toikka

Regular Price: $260.00
Member Price: $221.00

Watch the Glass Art being made in Tacoma's Museum of Glass Hot Shop
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TACOMA MUSEUM DISTRICT

Three Museums, One Short Walk. Extend your visit to the Museum of Glass by meeting our neighbors. Tacoma Art Museum and Washington State History Museum are inspiring venues just across the Chihuly Bridge of Glass.

For a wealth of information about visiting the city of Tacoma, check out TravelTacoma.com. Get more information and valuable coupons for other local attractions at Seattle's Favorite Attractions.

 

Jill Reynolds (American, born 1956)
Table of Elements, 2003
Flameworked glass, altered labware, and mixed media
Courtesy of the artist
Photo courtesy of the artist