The Creative Continuum, Biology, Art and Design in Dialogue event took place on 9 October, in the W12 Conference Centre.
This one-day professional learning experience explored the intersection of science and creativity, through shared enquiry. It was led by Nitya Paul, head of art and design at Burlington Danes Academy, London.
During the event a sheep's heart was dissected as a focus, with speakers and discussion to examine how anatomical study can inform drawing, sculpture, photography, biomimicry in design, with direct links to GCSE (AQA) curriculum delivery.
A few key themes emerged with regard to classroom practice:
- Science lessons could give pupils more time to look closely, make things, play with ideas and explore questions, rather than always aiming for one right answer.
- Scientific approaches can strengthen creative ideas by encouraging pupils to look carefully, test their thinking and change their ideas in response to what they find.
- Design and technology connects art and science, using knowledge and creativity to solve real problems and make useful products and experiences.
- Interdisciplinary learning can begin with a shared object, question or experience, explored through different lenses without forcing artificial subject boundaries.
- Small, purposeful experiments-supported by cross-curricular planning and cultural partners-may be the best starting point, although time, funding, assessment pressures and subject silos remain significant barriers.
Nitya Paul and the Ark Team have summarised the conversation in a document within the Padlet here.
Speakers included: Mr Emad Aljaay, Consultant Cardiac Surgeon; Mr Chris Robbins, General manager; Dr Namariq Haroun - Cardiac Sciences; Dr Fay Penrose Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Anatomy; Professor Bolla Srinivas Reddy; Dr Spyros Bofylatos Royal College of Art; and Assistant Professor Jeremy Aston ESAD College of Art & Design, Portugal.
The Creative Continuum team will be creating schemes of work in science, art and design based around the activities we did on the day. We will keep you posted as these develop.
The Royal Drawing School made three videos capturing the day. These will be great resources to start conversations about the importance of art and design and science working together.:
Long film here
One-minute film here
30-second film here
Watch this space for more to come.
Nitya Paul and her colleagues worked with the following organisations to make this happen: