Exploring Science in the Studio at California College of the Arts
California College of the Arts (CCA), one of the oldest and most influential art and design schools in the country, is pursuing ways to enable its students to take their places as scientifically literate problem-solvers in a variety of careers. CCA launched the Exploring Science in the Studio pilot program in 2011, offering a set of interdisciplinary thematic studios, called Science in the Studio, in the college’s principal areas of study—architecture, design, fine arts, humanities and sciences, and diversity studies—allowing faculty to embed guest scientists directly into the studio courses.
As the recipient of a 2012 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), one of the largest awards made to an art and design college, CCA was able to expand the Exploring Science in the Studio initiative to include two additional initiatives. The grant enabled the creation of Mobile Units for Science Exploration (MUSE), which allow instructors to bring science equipment directly into the studios. The MUSE provide a replicable model for bringing science instructional materials and equipment directly into classrooms at colleges that do not have stand-alone science departments or facilities. Lastly, the NSF’s Exploring Science in the Studio grant supported the 2015 AICAD Symposium, which brings educational partners from around the country together to address the theme “Exploring Science in the Studio” in hopes that changing science curriculum at art and design colleges will continue to provide more meaningful opportunities for students to expand their scientific literacy.
Senior Director of Institutional Giving
California College of the Arts
With more than 20 years of experience in arts administration and fundraising, the current focus of Karen’s work at CCA is the cultivation of support from corporate, foundation, and government sources. She has held management positions at a number of prominent museums and institutions of higher education including the Hammer Museum, Denver Art Museum, San Francisco Art Institute, and Arizona State University Art Museum. Working closely with curators, artists, scholars, and creative leaders, she has written and submitted more than 300 proposals to help secure vital support for sponsored collaborations, exhibitions, residencies, and community partnerships.
SCOTT BURG
Senior Researcher
Rockman ET AL
Scott is a Senior Researcher at Rockman et al (www.rockman.com). He has a formal background in adult education, instructional systems design, and qualitative research. Scott has conducted a diverse range of qualitative evaluation projects on topics ranging from informal science, science-art integration, museum exhibit design and visitor studies, teacher professional development, environmental education and delivery of health services. Scott has also conducted studies on the impact of partnerships and capacity building activities to improve delivery of education and health programs in the US and developing nations. His clients have included the Computer History Museum, CancerCare, the Exploratorium, the California Academy of Sciences, the Tech Museum of Innovation, the New York Hall of Science, the Oakland Unified School District, the California College of the Arts, and KQED. Scott has a B.A. in Literature/Creative Writing from the University of Illinois, and a Masters in Library Science from the University of Maryland.
