Visual Art and Science Reflection (300-500 words)
Discuss the development of your own interdisciplinary learning and how that understanding may enable action. Refer to concrete examples from your own work completed during the unit.
1) How has your art study informed your scientific understanding?
My art study have informed my scientific knowledge understanding in numerous ways. First of all, as I was trying to design my artwork, the pictures that showed up after I typed "Starling competition" or "Starling fight" etc. reminded me of just how many ways can European Starlings impact the local environment and ecosystem. I was also reminded of the details of the Northern Flicker and the European Starling while working on my final artwork: the Starling had smooth, long feathers that are dark in breeding season, while the Northern Flicker had a much more "rough texture" with its short feathers, and patterns on its wings and back. Last but not least, while working on the art part of the IDU project, I am reminded of the ways that we (as normal people) can help to decrease the number of European Starlings. I considered about drawing a raptor consuming a Starling, or a bunch of European Starlings stuck inside a cage trap. Ultimately, I decided to go for a drawing that will show how it ruins the ecosystem; but nonetheless these ideas made me think about what normal people can contribute to solve this huge issue.
2) How has your scientific understanding helped your ability to depict natural forms through art?
Since I did many research before starting my art project, I was very familiar with Common Starling's physical aspects when I started my first detailed sketch. As a birdwatcher, the first time that I have seen an European Starling dates back when I first went to Canada (for educational purposes), in 2021. So, with tons of scientific knowledge and understanding, I am able to sketch down a realistic drawing of an European Starling without too much trouble. Another way that scientific understanding helped my ability to depict natural forms through art was while I am deciding what to draw for my final artwork. I have a lot of ideas, for example, farmers using hawk-shaped kites above their orchards to prevent Starlings from feasting; Starlings spreading diseases like E. Coli; etc. Eventually, I settled down with a design that had a Starling fighting against a native species (Northern Flicker) for a nest, as it can easily show the problems that we are encountering right now. Lastly, my scientific knowledge has enabled me to finish multiple sketches earlier than others, which gave me more time to plan for my final artwork. My art class had a total of 4 classes to produce: 1 detailed sketch of your invasive species, at least 2 drafts, and a final artwork. I was able to get the detailed sketch and the 2 drafts done in the first two periods, which gave me enough time to plan and think about what I want to draw.
3) Explain how your interdisciplinary learning may enable you to engage more effectively in environmental action.
First, I will talk about how I can use art to make an impact focusing on environmental action. If you don't know yet, I am a person who loves the nature. Moreover, I am a dedicated birdwatcher. I can use art like my final artwork to remind others about the present problems that we are all facing. This can ultimately lead to action from a lot of people. Then, these people might also create and then use their own artworks to make an impact as well. Now I will talk about how the interdisciplinary learning in science enabled me to engage in environmental action. As I visit countless websites, searching for information about European Starlings, I also talked with my friends about this invasive species and how it can impact the world. In the lab that I designed for science, I decide to find out how can different bird food impact the number of Starlings that visit the bird feeder. This is all created to help native species. Plus, next year, I am planning to create a birdwatching club (still in the process). During each meeting, I plan to chat about different kinds of native birds, as well as invasive ones. In the possible field trips, students can also engage in nature themselves, which I believe will make their memories even deeper. These are some examples of how my interdisciplinary learning between art and science enabled me to engage more effectively in environmental action.