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

该项目探讨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。 通过汇集科学家，工程师和艺术家在普渡大学进行跨学科合作的试点研究，PI旨在传达这种新性质的重要性[下一代知识]在图像和有形文物，数据可视化，工程设计原型，为公众提供生成和动力装置。由此产生的案例研究和跨学科的社会和协作过程的实证评估将是在普渡大学创造性合作中心（CCC）的成功发展的重要一步。PI设想创意合作中心作为连接普渡大学西拉斐特校区的科学，工程和艺术的可变网络，以丰富STEM教育，并为STE（A）M（STEM学科加艺术）提供本地模式，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。快速变化的自然环境的关系到“新性质”的知识提出了新的挑战，在计算机科学和工程战略的发展，并反过来影响新一代的计算和工程方法，技术和材料。 与此同时，当代艺术的介入正在创造一个关于社会、文化和美学启示以及这些“新性质”的含义的批判性公共对话。 该项目的拟议跨学科教育框架将艺术、科学和工程战略结合在自然环境和“新自然”的探索中，分为三个相互关联的项目组成部分：（1）一门名为“自然图像”的课程，将普渡大学一系列学科的学生聚集在一起，将STEM学科与艺术和设计相结合;（2）在印第安纳州拉斐特市中心的一个空店面里公开展示设备、雕塑、计算机图形应用程序;照片等;（3）以“自然意象”为主题的暑期活动为印第安纳州地区的高中三年级学生提供服务，这些学生来自普渡大学目前代表性不足的社区。 通过发展跨学科的方法来指导图像生产的隐喻思维和多感官（即从事超过视觉）技术，实验课程和夏季计划将有助于解决两个更大的问题：1）科学家向公众传播他们的知识;二是为艺术家创造机会，诠释当代科学技术新探索对自然的理解。 这些项目目标将教育新一代的科学家和艺术家，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.