art in science
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Old Dominion University
Just as with interdisciplinary studies in the sciences and humanities, where specialists from diverse fields working together often produce a synergistic effect, we believe that the Art in Science Project holds much educational and creative promise.
Martina Doblin and Lisa Drake (Ocean, Earth and Atmospheric Science Research Assistant Professors) are marine scientists who share a love of art. Inspired by Lisa's vibrant images of marine plankton taken with a digital camera attached to a microscope, Martina initiated a project to increase awareness of the Art in Science. Working with two professors in the Old Dominion University Art Department, Chair Robert Wojtowicz and Assistant Professor B. Stephen Carpenter II, the project evolved into an exhibit of framed images installed in the office of the University Provost.
Art in Science continues to evolve. With the formal cooperation of the Colleges of Arts and Letters, Sciences and Education, and with the expertise of science curriculum specialist Dr. Wendy Fraiser, a K-12 curriculum was developed to teach the concepts of art and science using the photomicrographs of Drs. Doblin and Drake.
A second installation of 14 images was featured at the Virginia Marine Science Museum in Virginia Beach, from February 2002 through August 2003. Accompanying this exhibit was the printing of note cards featuring 10 different photomicrographs.
A third installation of 16 new images was presented at the Contemporary Art Center in Virginia Beach in October 2002.
As of January 2003, the Art in Science curriculum was workshopped at elementary and middle schools in Norfolk, Virginia, and work continues on refining and piloting the project.
Diatoms in Pink by Dr. Lisa Drake
©
This image is an example of a class of marine microalgae (plants) called diatoms that have "glass" cell walls. This one has formed a chain of many single cells. The colored background is possible using a set of prisms and "filters" arranged to achieve Nomarski Differential Interference Contrast (DIC). This optical phenomenon employs light, rather than biological stain, to distinguish different components of specimens. Images can thus be seen in striking color and in exaggerated three-dimensional appearance. DIC illumination allowed the cells to adopt an almost iridescent green shimmer. Image taken with an Olympus DP-10 digital camera attached to an Olympus BX50 compound microscope. Original magnification 400x; the chain is approximately 0.18 mm (180 µm) long.
Sample collected from the Elizabeth River during October 2000.
NaCl by Dr. Martina Doblin
©
This image shows a single salt crystal, formed on a petri
dish during slow evaporation of seawater. The shaded translucent background
is a result of dark field illumination, highlighting the crystal's geometric
shape and the air bubbles captured within it.
Image taken with an Olympus DP-10 digital camera attached to an Olympus
SZX12 dissecting microscope. Original magnification x12.5.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Lisa Drake : ldrake@odu.edu
Dr. Martina Doblin: mdoblin@odu.edu
Dr. Wendy Frazier: wfrazier@gmu.edu
Dr. B. Stephen Carpenter II bscarpenter@vcu.edu
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Ocean, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Last up-dated 2/10/05