In the News
As posted by Mead County Times-Tribune
DeVee Dietz, an instructor at Sturgis Williams Middle School, along with Marie Steckelberg, an education consultant, have been busy teaching about the wonders of art and science in their summer program called ARTsome Astronomy.
On June 13 and 14, Dietz and Steckelberg taught their course at the Sturgis Williams Middle School Art Room.
In the News
As posted by Yankton Press & Dakotan
Usually, science and art are described as complete opposites, but this week, the two were blended for a special summertime class.
For the second time, Yankton High School hosted the ARTsome Astronomy class, an all-day class that teaches educators how science can be used to create beautiful pieces of artwork.
Create a beautiful piece of art while learning the story of celestial objects.
Looking for a fun and creative professional development opportunity? Then the ARTsome Astronomy Workshops are for you! These workshops are great for art teachers, K-8 classroom teachers, STEM teachers and informal educators. Feedback from past participants is very positive.
Science inspiring art – Art empowering science!
Rocket through the solar system through the lens of an artist! Fuse science and storytelling and learn how to:
- Engage students in space science education as artist explorers.
- Inspire students by fusing art, science and storytelling.
- Explore the development of viewing objects in space from the naked eye to remote sensing.
- Analyze the mysterious surfaces, make sense of what one sees, hone observation skills and inspire questions.
- Deepen understanding of celestial objects when observing them through an artist’s lens.
- Create art inspired by planet and celestial images from remote sensing technology.
Workshop Descriptions
ARTsome Astronomy I
We begin exploring the story of the mysterious terrestrial objects in space – planets, moons comets, asteroids – through science based activities and then deepen the understanding by applying the elements of art and principles of design. You will have the opportunity to create multiple art pieces while experimenting with different mediums in the many art stations. Let your imagination go wild as you use NASA images for inspiration to create a number of finished artworks. We conclude with a “galaxy walk” to share your artwork and discuss how we can implement the connection of art, science and storytelling into your classrooms.
Comments from prior workshops:
- I liked the art basics that were covered as well as the solar system information that was presented in a manner that could be transferred to the classroom.
- I liked using the science terms and creating the low-level landforms.
- Loved the workshop! There were so many science and art terms I learned. I am also so excited to sift through the abundant amount of resources provided.
- I will use it in all my science classes.
- Watching DeVee present my core content [art] was inspiring!
- DeVee and Marie were very generous to provide us with such valuable, rich content about “Terrestrial Objects in Space”. I now have a total outline for how I am going to infuse the elements of art with the application of science & writing concepts into my middle school STEAM2 curriculum.
- Great Class! Loved the creative way to learn about science and space. Kids will love it too!
- Presenting intriguing knowledge – science astronomy – through inquiry model (you left us wondering)
- I will take away many of the activities to initiate literature with science. Many of these activities will help me inspire my students to write descriptively.
- I loved the different mediums we worked with and incorporating science and other subjects across the curriculum is so much more “doable” than what you would think.
- I really did not expect much of this class except the grad credit. However, I learned a lot during the two days. I will be teaching astronomy at a new school and will be using all of what I learned and did during the next school year combining art and astronomy.
- I generally avoid professional development in the summer, but this was practical, useful, fun and inspiring. The instructors work seamlessly together to fuse art and science. I loved it! 5th grade teacher.
- This workshop was fun and educational for art teachers, science teachers, and general educators. Well worth it! Holly Vander Molen, High School Teacher.
ARTsome Astronomy II
We begin building the story of the magnificent gaseous celestial objects – sun, stars, galaxies, nebulae, gaseous planets, auroras – with science based activities, including exploring the primary colors of light. Your understanding of these celestial objects will deepen as you apply the elements of art and principles of design. You will create artworks in watercolor, pastel, and a sculpture using household items. Let your imagination go wild as you use NASA images for inspiration to create your finished artworks. We conclude with a “galaxy walk” to share your artwork and discuss how we can implement the connection of art, science and storytelling into your classrooms.
Comments from prior workshops:
- This is a must-have follow-up to ARTsome Astronomy I. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about gaseous planets through this workshop! Caroline Christopherson, Educator
- This was amazing!
- Really enjoyed making the sculpture, something I will try in my classroom this year!
- I loved the 3 lights activity!
- I love the personal interaction with subject matter…the choice allowed when deciding on an art piece to create. The personal interest made the research fun and the science concepts retained. I loved it!
- I learned so many things about the space aspect. I did not know what caused the aurora borealis or how scientists viewed and studied the sun. There was so much new and interesting information.
- Awesome! I had a blast experimenting freely and learning about science and art.
- I loved the combination of color schemes. I also learn a lot about nebulas and magnetic energy. It was a great workshop!
- I appreciated the collaborative aspect that you created amongst the teachers. You kept the class moving at a great pace, leaving plenty of time for work and personal research. Thanks for providing this workshop. It was immensely helpful. Carrie Wilson, Middle School Teacher
This is a great opportunity for collaboration among educators and content integration. We encourage and enjoy working with a team of teachers from your school to participate and create a collaborative interdisciplinary unit during the workshop. Then you can provide a “galaxy walk” during your parent/teacher conferences!
Interested in bringing ARTsome Astronomy to your organization?
Contact Marie.
