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:

  1. Engage in citizen science based investigations; pond studies, bird watching, plant inventories & I.D.

  2. Chose a topic of choice from the cemetery to individual investigate; aquatic habitat & life, trees, flowers, pollinators, and birds

  3. 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's nature art created during her Solo Sit at Consecration Dell.

Student writing observations during Solo Sit at Consecration Dell.

Student writing observations during Solo Sit at Consecration Dell.

Solo Sit at Consecration Dell.

Solo Sit at Consecration Dell.

A student is excited about her discoveries!

A student is excited about her discoveries!

Group shares observations from their Solo Sit.

Group shares observations from their Solo Sit.

Chemical Kit for our Pond Study - pH papers, thermometers, petri dishes

Chemical Kit for our Pond Study - pH papers, thermometers, petri dishes

Homemade nets for collecting macroinvertabrates

Homemade nets for collecting macroinvertabrates

Student works on his final Scratch project about the lifecycle of an oak tree.

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.

Students work together to color the background of a tree map.

Final Scratch project on an acorn life cycle

Final Scratch project on an acorn life cycle

One bee painting

One bee painting

Math integrated map to scale of Willow Pond and trees found in the cemetery

Math integrated map to scale of Willow Pond and trees found in the cemetery

Student's calendar

Student's calendar

Great Horned Owl feather found by a student during her Solo Sit at Consecration Dell.

Great Horned Owl feather found by a student during her Solo Sit at Consecration Dell.

Free exploration at Consecration Dell.

Free exploration at Consecration Dell.

Student exploring the flowers in full bloom at the cemetery entrance.

Student exploring the flowers in full bloom at the cemetery entrance.

Solo Sit.

Solo Sit.

Student relaxes by Consecration Dell duringthe Solo Sit

Student relaxes by Consecration Dell duringthe Solo Sit

Students and teachers embark on a Pond Study at Halcyon Lake.

Students and teachers embark on a Pond Study at Halcyon Lake.

Student learns how to cut chicken wire for her Red Hawk sculpture

Student learns how to cut chicken wire for her Red Hawk sculpture

Student finishing his map and another student'ssculpture of a Red Hawk.

Student finishing his map and another student'ssculpture of a Red Hawk.

Finishing up their background sign for their project.

Finishing up their background sign for their project.

Getting inspiration for his project from creating tanagram shapes of trees and plants.

Getting inspiration for his project from creating tanagram shapes of trees and plants.

Student with her sculpture

Student with her sculpture

Student with two paintings and a sculpture on bees

Student with two paintings and a sculpture on bees

Student with her paintings of Consecration Dell and the garden

Student with her paintings of Consecration Dell and the garden

Student's informational tag of his cemetery maps

Student's informational tag of his cemetery maps

Two students writing and drawing obervations during their Solo Sit.

Two students writing and drawing obervations during their Solo Sit.

Student stopping to jot down an observation.

Student stopping to jot down an observation.

Students experience Lesley's gallery to gain inspiration for showcasing their final project.

Students experience Lesley's gallery to gain inspiration for showcasing their final project.

Student during free exploration at COnsecration Dell.

Student during free exploration at COnsecration Dell.

Recording observations at Consecration Dell.

Recording observations at Consecration Dell.

Student creates monthly maps for cemetery highlights

Student creates monthly maps for cemetery highlights

Group works on their final showcase project - an interactive puppet show of animals found at consecration dell.

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 begins her painting of Consecration Dell.

Student finishing up her map of trees around Willow Pond.

Student finishing up her map of trees around Willow Pond.

Final Red Hawk sculpture

Final Red Hawk sculpture

Part of a group's final puppet show

Part of a group's final puppet show

Close up on paintings of the cemetery

Close up on paintings of the cemetery

Calendars of cemetery highlights

Calendars of cemetery highlights