UAF graduate students host art show this Friday
March 31, 2015
Meghan Murphy
907-474-7541
3/30/2015
A group of science and engineering graduate students from the University of Alaska Fairbanks on April 3 will host a First Friday art show of science-themed artwork from local elementary and secondary students. They are part of UAF’s Changing Alaska Science Education GK-12 program, which is hosted through the College of Natural Science and Mathematics.
The show will be from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Murie Building on the Fairbanks campus. There will be light refreshments.
“I think this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the interdisciplinary and hands-on nature of the CASE program, and for the K-12 students involved to get the chance to associate science with creativity and realize how important that science and art can be to one another," said Jennifer Curl, a biology and wildlife graduate student who is spearheading the event.
Students from 9 public schools in Fairbanks, including Lathrop High School, Pearl Creek Elementary School and Randy Smith Middle School, have submitted artwork. Projects include fish prints, models, dioramas and other pieces that relate to a science topic learned in school.
CASE GK-12 pairs graduate students in science or engineering with one or two local teachers for the school year. Laura Conner, the director of CASE GK-12, said the program allows graduate students to develop teaching skills, teachers to have access to cutting-edge research, and K-12 students to reap the benefits.
“We’re really trying to get K-12 students interested in science,” she said. “This program lets students work with a scientist and experience hands-on science that is exciting and fun.”
The National Science Foundation funds CASE GK-12, and UAF’s Collaborative Arts Council is funding the art show. The council has sponsored a series of art projects on the Fairbanks campus this past year that integrate art with science.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Jennifer Curl at jacurl@alaska.edu
MM/3-31-15/234-15