ODU STUDENTS AND CHILDREN CONTINUE MURAL AT VBHEC TODAY

Old Dominion University art education students are teaming up with children enrolled in a Virginia Aquarium summer program to paint a mural at ODU's Virginia Beach Higher Education Center highlighting the links between art and science.

The ODU students will work with third-, fourth- and fifth-graders in the aquarium's Ocean's Habitat program from 1-2:30 p.m. July 17 and 18.

"We hope that everyone involved in this program can make meaningful connections through art," said ODU instructor Patty Edwards.

ODU students enrolled in Elementary Art Education 305 spent time earlier this summer at the Virginia Aquarium doing field research and developing a curriculum based upon the surrounding habitat and current exhibits.

The resulting curriculum incorporates not only the basic principles of art education, but also the Virginia Standards of Learning for science.

"This colorful and bright mural builds a bridge to facilitate learning for Old Dominion students as well as children in the community," said Edwards.