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Exploring the Art in Math and Science

As an elementary school teacher and a parent, MaryAnn F. Kohl made a remarkable discovery. "It just kind of came to me that all kids responded to art," says the author of numerous books linking art with academics. "If I could turn anything into an art project, I had everybody’s attention."

Kohl took a look at common math lessons and science projects and extracted the artistic elements to develop art lessons that introduce or reinforce any number of math and science concepts. While her books generally focus on preschool and early elementary concepts, linking art with math and science works equally well with older children. Students "tend to like the art so much they’re not really thinking about the math (or science)," she says, "but it still reinforces the concepts."

Here are some simple ideas to get you started:

Mixing Colors: Young children love to experiment with mixing colors, a great lesson in pigmentation and how different colors react when combined. Maybe that’s why My First Science Kit includes a color mixing lab for kids!

Crystals: Growing crystals is a classic science project that yields colorful and amazing works of art.

Pendulum Art: Do pendulum projects to illustrate the effects of gravity.

Mobiles: Creating mobiles is a great way to experiment with weight and balance.

Wind Catcher: Design your own wind catcher to explore the effects of wind, an early introduction to atmospheric science.

Patterns and Symmetry: Patterns and symmetry are important concepts in both math and science. They can be as simple as black and white or as complex as computer-generated fractals, and they’re naturals when it comes to art. Check out magnetic Fractiles for hours of fun with both concepts.

Optical Illusions: Everyone loves optical illusions, a fascinating introduction to the workings of the human eye and the human brain. Our Mind's Eye Optical Illusions and Human Perception Kit features nearly 100 experiments in perception and deception.

Nature Art: Young children can explore nature through bark and leaf rubbings, or by collecting leaves, sticks and rocks to create collages and other works of art. Older children can learn about natural pigments by creating dyes from berries, leaves, vegetables and other colors found in nature. With our GeoSafari Solargraphics Jumbo Sunprints Kit, children of all ages can experiment with basic photography and light concepts as they create art from sunlight. (Check out Young Scientists Science on a Nature Walk for more projects!)

Kohl believes that combining a right brain activity like art with a left brain activity like math or science gives students an unusual boost in learning. "So many people, including myself, need the more visual and hands-on understanding," she explains, "so it really helps a lot of kids."

At discoverthis.com science kits, we know you’re never too young or too old to enjoy art, so why not share the art in math and science with your kids today?

Special thanks to MaryAnn F. Kohl of Bright Ring Publishing for her contributions to this article!

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