Science + Visual Arts Bibliography

Nancy Dennis, Science and Technology Librarian, Salem State University

A Work in Progress (Updated June 23, 2013)

Books

Daston, LJ. Objectivity. New York (NY): Zone; 2010. 501 p.
Traces the rendering of images in scientific atlases from the early eighteenth to mid-twentieth century, in Europe and North America. Demonstrates shifting influences of three epistemic virtues: truth-to-nature, objectivity, and trained judgment.

Articles

Ainsworth, S, Prain, V. Tytler, R. Drawing to learn in science. Science. 2011; Aug 26; 333:1096-1097.
Argues that drawing should be a key element in science education. Drawing stimulates student engagement, enhances understanding, promotes reasoning, and facilitates scientific communication. 

Brandt, R. On discipline-based art education: a conversation with Elliot Eisner. Educ Leadership. 1987 Dec-1988 Jan; 45(4):6-9.
Calls for the integration of the fundamentals of art education into other disciplines including science and mathematics.

Hay, DB, Williams, D, Stahl, D, Wingate, RJ. Using drawings of the brain cell to exhibit expertise in neuroscience: exploring the boundaries of experimental culture. Sci Educ. 2013; 97(3):468-491.
Analyzes undergraduate drawings of neurons before and after active learning “interventions” involving cell behavior. Post-intervention drawings were markedly more creative and complex than initial drawings, which largely resembled standard textbook depictions of neurons. 

Özden, M. Primary student teachers’ ideas of atoms and molecules: using drawings as a research method. Education. 2009; 129(4):635-642.
Reports on analysis of drawings by 92 pre-service primary student teachers. The majority of students had misconceptions about, and a lack of knowledge of, atoms and molecules.

Poli, D, Fleenor, M, Rearick, M. Drawing on popular culture using tattooing to introduce biological concepts. Am Biol Teach. 2012; 74(6):381-385.
Reports how tattooing was used to foster contextual and interdisciplinary learning in undergraduate biology and physics courses. Illustrates how lessons on cell signaling, anatomy, microbiology, immunology, wave motion, and electromagnetism incorporated tattooing.

Reports

Pitt, RN, Tepper, S. Double majors[:] influences, identities, & impacts. [Internet].Nashville (TN):Curb Center, Vanderbilt University; 2012. Sponsored by the Teagle Foundation. Available from: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/curbcenter/manage/files/Teagle-Report-Final-3-11-13-2.pdf.
Presents results of a national, multiple-dataset, mixed-methods investigation into the emerging trend of double majoring in colleges and universities. Among the data examined were reasons for double majoring, demographics, motivations, and educational outcomes.