Arts Based Research
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) - the A hold equal importance to WonderLab in how we investigate and represent our topic of study. The Spring 2018 staff used the Mount Auburn Cemetery to inspire a long term project in which students:
Engage in citizen science based investigations; pond studies, bird watching, plant inventories & I.D.
Chose a topic of choice from the cemetery to individual investigate; aquatic habitat & life, trees, flowers, pollinators, and birds
Develop an art project using a medium of their choice to represent their findings; stop motion, sculpture, musical & dance, painting, etc
>>> Read the complete Case Study and Lesson here! <<<
Below is an image collage of the process including field research, gallery visits, and multi-day art/dance studio work.
Student's nature art created during her Solo Sit at Consecration Dell.
Student writing observations during Solo Sit at Consecration Dell.
Solo Sit at Consecration Dell.
A student is excited about her discoveries!
Group shares observations from their Solo Sit.
Chemical Kit for our Pond Study - pH papers, thermometers, petri dishes
Homemade nets for collecting macroinvertabrates
Student works on his final Scratch project about the lifecycle of an oak tree.
Students work together to color the background of a tree map.
Final Scratch project on an acorn life cycle
One bee painting
Math integrated map to scale of Willow Pond and trees found in the cemetery
Student's calendar
Great Horned Owl feather found by a student during her Solo Sit at Consecration Dell.
Free exploration at Consecration Dell.
Student exploring the flowers in full bloom at the cemetery entrance.
Solo Sit.
Student relaxes by Consecration Dell duringthe Solo Sit
Students and teachers embark on a Pond Study at Halcyon Lake.
Student learns how to cut chicken wire for her Red Hawk sculpture
Student finishing his map and another student'ssculpture of a Red Hawk.
Finishing up their background sign for their project.
Getting inspiration for his project from creating tanagram shapes of trees and plants.
Student with her sculpture
Student with two paintings and a sculpture on bees
Student with her paintings of Consecration Dell and the garden
Student's informational tag of his cemetery maps
Two students writing and drawing obervations during their Solo Sit.
Student stopping to jot down an observation.
Students experience Lesley's gallery to gain inspiration for showcasing their final project.
Student during free exploration at COnsecration Dell.
Recording observations at Consecration Dell.
Student creates monthly maps for cemetery highlights
Group works on their final showcase project - an interactive puppet show of animals found at consecration dell.
Student begins her painting of Consecration Dell.
Student finishing up her map of trees around Willow Pond.
Final Red Hawk sculpture
Part of a group's final puppet show
Close up on paintings of the cemetery
Calendars of cemetery highlights