Education Commons^™

The Art Of Science; An Exploration Of Art Integration In A Science Classroom, Melissa M. Hunkins

Middle Grades Review

This Practitioner Perspective examined how art integration in a science classroom affects student engagement and scientific understanding. The study took place over one school year in a 7th and 8th grade science classroom, with a total of 57 students and a focus group of eleven students. Collaboratively, the science teacher and a teaching artist designed purposeful integration of art into two science units and developed a culmination project where students connected their science learning throughout the year to a self portrait. Findings indicated that art integration increased engagement and understanding and allowed students to visually express their learning. However, supports …