Touchpoint 1
Schreyer Scholar and biology major tutors science through art
What is it?
A college student is using art to help tutor other biology students. She received a grant as a sophomore in college and calls her program, “Draw with Me.” Her efforts are based on a 1986 theory called dual-coding that believes cognition needs both verbal and nonverbal inputs.
Potential message to students:
Do you think it would be easier to learn biology by just going through illustrations? Do you think you would learn more if you drew along with the teacher and made your own illustrations? Do you think it would be easier to remember material when it comes time to take a test?
Touchpoint 2
Discovery of the first fractal molecule in nature
What is it?
Many things around us, like snowflakes, have a special pattern they follow. These are often referred to as fractals and they are everywhere. Molecules follow patterns, too. But this marks the first time scientists have observed a molecule following a fractal pattern. This molecule has an infinitely repeating series of triangles made up of smaller triangles.
Potential message to students:
Fractals were discovered in 1975 and captivated scientists all over the world. Do you think it will be rare to find a fractal inside the human body or they are everywhere and we just need better technology to see them? Do you believe the discovery of a human fractal connects us closer to nature which also depends highly on fractals?
Touchpoint 3
Why Animal Dissection Is So Last Century: Alicia Silverstone and Bear Speak Out
What is it?
Actress Alicia Silverstone is working with PETA to try and get schools to stop dissecting frogs and other animals as part of its science courses. In the U.S., it’s estimated that 10 million animals are killed each year and dissected.
Potential message to students:
Do you agree with Alicia? We kill ~10 billion animals each year to feed humans. Do 10 million really matter if they help train future scientists? What if we dissected animals on a local farm and they were used for food right after the dissection? Would that make it ok?