An Astro-Animation Class: Optimizing Artistic, Educational and Outreach Outcomes

TL;DR

This paper presents an astro-animation class that combines art and astronomy to inspire creativity, improve science outreach, and enhance education, with positive feedback from participants and the public.

Contribution

It introduces a novel interdisciplinary course at MICA that effectively integrates art and astronomy, demonstrating benefits for education and outreach.

Findings

High positive feedback from students and public

Enhanced engagement with science through art

Effective interdisciplinary teaching approach

Abstract

The authors investigate how teaching art and astronomy together has the potential to inspire new art forms, enhance scientific public outreach, and promote art and science education. The authors teach an astro-animation class at the Maryland Institute College of Art in partnership with NASA scientists. The animations explore science in creative ways. Astrophysicists, educators, students, and the general public were surveyed to evaluate the experiences, and benefits from this project. The responses were very positive - the program is an effective way to stimulate art students to learn science, share an artist's viewpoint beyond the classroom, and engage with the public.