Nature's Toolbox: Biodiversity, Art and Invention
Articles/Websites
Grades9, 10, 11, 12, APBiology, Visual and Performing Arts
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by Art Works for Change
What it is
- This resource presents a brief article about the importance of biodiversity for life on Earth, discussing how artwork can be used to tell stories about our interactions with nature and providing examples of art from this exhibit.
- The resource also includes the exhibition catalog of artwork and a press release about the exhibit.
Teaching tips
Positives
- This resource is a great way to introduce students to the importance of biodiversity and demonstrates how art and science are linked.
- The exhibition catalog describes the intent behind each artwork.
Additional Prerequisites
- The catalog and press release can be downloaded for offline use or printed (if need be) but students should have access to a color copy to appreciate the art.
- Some pieces scrolling at the top may not load without reloading the page.
Differentiation
- Have students practice interpreting artwork by explaining their interpretation of the piece in writing or in pairs with another student before reading the description.
- As a follow-up activity, have students create their own artwork by responding to one of the four main questions listed in the exhibition catalog.
- After reading the press release, have students write their own press release about the exhibition.
- To learn more about the linkages between art and science, use this resource of an exhibition highlighting social and environmental issues and this exhibition exploring climate change and architectural design.
From the scientist review
This resource is an overview of an art exhibit that focuses on biodiversity, and specifically the four following themes: what is biodiversity, why is biodiversity important, how do humans affect biodiversity, and what can we learn from nature about how to flourish? The exhibit overview details these themes and explains why each piece was chosen for the exhibit. While an overview of each piece is provided, it is unclear whether you can access the full exhibit without contacting the organization, as this is an older exhibit. This resource does show students different ways that concerns and solutions about the climate can be expressed and communicated with others and can be used to inspire them. The information presented in this resource is accurate. It is recommended for teaching.
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