Using the Arts and Computer Animation to Make Chemistry Accessible to All in the Twenty-First Century

Abstract

The twenty-first century is truly the century of science and technology. If we will not make science and technology accessible to all, we will form a two-class society, divided not by royalty or economic status, but by knowledge of science and technology. It is our tenet in life that science education is a human right that belongs to all. Therefore, it is essential that we employ every method possible to make chemistry accessible to all in the twenty-first century [1, 2]. A Chinese proverb states: “I hear and I forget; I see and I remember; I do and I understand.” At the Science Institute, Columbia College Chicago, we believe strongly in this proverb, and we incorporate visualization and art in the teaching of chemistry. Students remember and understand abstract chemistry concepts best by creating their own artistic projects. Through this process, students take an active role in the learning process, instead of only being passive observers. The students can produce visualization projects using the media of their choice, from computer animation (High Tech) to dance and drama (No Tech). These projects are used as an alternative assessment method where the evaluation is done in a constructive way by the whole class and not just by the instructor. This method has been proven successful with undergraduate students, with science teachers, and with middle and high school students. Many institutions in the USA and around the world have adopted this method.