CCA launched the Exploring Science in the Studio pilot program in 2011, offering a set of interdisciplinary thematic studios, called Science in the Studio (SITS), 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 with a small honorarium.
SITS courses provide students the opportunity to understand science not simply as a required course unrelated to their major, but as directly relevant to their studio practice.
CCA faculty choose to partner with scientists from their connections to local industry, as was the case with Professor Grose’s collaboration Reza Hosseini, manager of environmental site and compliance assessment at Levi Strauss & Co.; or with a local academically-affiliated scientist such as Professor Anno’s collaboration with Leonard Sklar, Associate Professor of Geology at San Francisco State University.
At the end of each semester, students enrolled in the SITS courses mount an exhibition of the work produced across the studios.