Pilot: Images of Nature - Technological Explorations of the Natural Environment Combining Art, Science and Engineering Strategies in an Educational Model for Collaborative Creation

这个项目考察了艺术过程和交流形式如何有助于科学和设计问题的解决。通过将科学家、工程师和艺术家聚集在普渡大学进行跨学科合作的试点研究，PI旨在向公众传达这种新性质[下一代知识]在图像和有形文物、数据可视化、工程设计原型、生成性和动态装置方面的重要性。由此产生的跨学科社会和协作过程的案例研究和实证评估将是普渡大学成功发展创造性协作中心的重要一步。PIS将创意协作中心设想为一个可变的网络，将普渡大学西拉斐特校区的科学、工程和艺术联系起来，以丰富STEM教育，并为STE(A)M(STEM学科加艺术)提供一个本地模式，强调创造力和创新；批判性思维和解决问题；灵活性和适应性；沟通和协作。最近在工程、计算机科学和生物科学方面的研究正在彻底改变我们对自然的理解，从纳米到全球。关于自然环境的快速变化的知识与“新自然”的关系给计算机科学和工程战略的发展带来了新的挑战，进而影响了新一代计算和工程方法、技术和材料。与此同时，当代艺术干预正在创造一个批判性的公共对话，讨论社会、文化和审美的承受能力以及这些“新性质”的含义。该项目拟议的跨学科教育框架将艺术、科学和工程战略结合起来，探索自然环境和三个相互关联的项目组成部分的“新性质”：(1)一门名为“自然图像”的课程，将把普渡大学不同学科的学生聚集在一起，将STEM学科与艺术和设计相结合；(2)在普渡大学周围社区拉斐特市中心的一个空荡荡的店面里，举办一次公开展览，展示设备、雕塑、计算机图形应用、照片等。(3)为来自普渡大学目前代表性不足的社区的印第安纳地区高三学生探索“自然图像”主题的暑期计划。通过开发以隐喻思维和多感官(即不仅仅是视觉)技术为指导的跨学科图像制作方法，实验课程和暑期计划将有助于解决两个更大的问题：1)科学家向公众交流他们的知识；2)为艺术家创造机会，解释新的科学技术探索所创造的对自然的当代理解。这些项目目标将培养新一代科学家和艺术家，他们将学习跨学科研究的好处。

This project examines how artistic processes and forms of communication contribute to scientific and design problem-solving. By bringing together scientists, engineers and artists for a pilot study of interdisciplinary collaboration at Purdue University, the PIs aim to convey the significance of this new nature [next generation knowledge] in images and tangible artifacts, data visualization, engineered design prototypes, generative and kinetic installations for the public. The resulting case study and empirical evaluation of the social and collaborative process across disciplines will be an important step towards the successful development of a Center for Creative Collaboration (CCC) at Purdue University. The PIs envision the Center for Creative Collaboration as a variable network connecting science, engineering and the arts on Purdue's West Lafayette campus to enrich STEM education and provide a local model for STE(A)M (STEM disciplines plus Art) which emphasizes creativity and innovation; critical thinking and problem-solving; flexibility and adaptability; communication and collaboration. Recent research in engineering, computer science and bioscience is revolutionizing our understanding of nature from the nano to the global. Rapidly changing knowledge about the natural environment in relationship to the 'new natures' presents new challenges for the development of strategies in computer science and engineering and in turn influence new generations of computational and engineering methods, technologies and materials. At the same time, contemporary artistic interventions are creating a critical public dialog about social, cultural and aesthetic affordances and implications of these 'new natures'. The proposed interdisciplinary educational framework for this project combines art, science and engineering strategies in the exploration of the natural environment and the 'new natures' in three interrelated project components: (1) a course titled "Images of Nature" that will bring together students from a range of disciplines at Purdue University, combining STEM disciplines with the Arts and Design; (2) a public exhibition of the devices, sculptures, computer graphics applications; photographs, etc. resulting from the course in an empty storefront in Downtown Lafayette, IN - the community surrounding Purdue University and; (3) a summer program exploring the theme of "Images of Nature" for Indiana area high school juniors from communities currently underrepresented at Purdue. By developing interdisciplinary approaches to image production guided by metaphorical thinking and polysensorial (i.e. engaging more than the sense of sight) technology, the experimental course and summer program will contribute to solving two larger problems: 1) scientists communicating their knowledge to the public and; 2) creating opportunities for artists to interpret contemporary understandings of nature created by new explorations in science and technology. These project goals will educate a new generation of scientist and artists who learn the benefits of cross-disciplinary inquiry.