Fourteenth International Conference on the Inclusive Museum

Abstract

For several years we have been running an “astro-animation” class at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore where students work in tandem with research scientists from NASA Goddard and elsewhere to create animations. These films combine results of cutting-edge research with an artist’s eye to create novel presentations of scientific results. We conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the current program with the support of an NEA research grant, and found it to be highly effective. Building on this, we are now exploring the feasibility of producing an informal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning program. We plan to create an itinerant astro-animation exhibition and a series of workshop activities around themes such as dark matter or black holes. We will give the participants the opportunity to explore an astronomical concept through animation activities with the guidance of our trained facilitators. We are investigating what pedagogical structure can be implemented through these activities and how to train instructors in the long run to make this project sustainable. The pilot phase focuses on Baltimore, where MICA is located, with its wide and diverse population. If our pilot is successful, we would expand this to a full-scale implementation of the astro-animation STEM program that would include increased material, facilitator training, and infrastructure that would be available nationwide and beyond.