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The Swope Art Museum has launched "Full STEAM Ahead," a year-long program integrating arts into STEM education for children and adults. The curriculum, developed by Dr. Sujata Gopalan, aims to foster creative thinking and innovative problem-solving by combining arts with STEM skills.
Experience STEAM in action! Each month, our enthusiastic instructors bring exciting lessons and hands-on activities to Ryves Youth Center and 14th and Chestnut Community Center. These engaging sessions are carefully aligned with K-12 standards, ensuring educational value while sparking curiosity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. By integrating creative art projects, we foster innovative thinking and problem-solving skills, making STEM subjects come alive for young learners in a fun and interactive way.
Learning knows no age limit! Our STEAM program extends beyond youth to embrace adult learners too. We believe in fostering creativity and knowledge at every stage of life. Each month, we offer engaging STEAM activities designed specifically for adults:
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Insightful presentations by local experts on fascinating STEAM topics
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FREE hands-on workshops that bring these concepts to life
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These sessions provide a unique opportunity for adults to explore the intersection of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics in an accessible and enjoyable format. Whether you're a lifelong learner or just curious about STEAM, our adult program offers a stimulating environment to expand your horizons and unleash your creativity.
SEPTEMBER: Biology
Dr. Diana Hews
How--And Why--The Lizard Got Its Spots
Thursday, September 26, 6 pm
Join us for a STEAM presentation that combines biology and art as we explore color through the science behind male Side-Blotched Lizards.
Diana Hews is an evolutionary biologist. Her work combines both laboratory and field approaches to the study of animal behavior and the physiology underlying the behavior. She works primarily with lizards, which she has studied in the US, Mexico, and Croatia. Before being hired at ISU in 1995, she earned her doctorate at the University of Texas at Austin and post-doctoral work at Arizona State University. Dr. Hews has been awarded major research grants from both the National Institutes of Health – studying hormone receptors in the brain of aggressive and nonaggressive lizards-- and the National Science Foundation --studying various aspects of evolution and physiology of animal communication signals. She has served as Editor to several major scientific journals and is an elected Fellow to the Animal Behavior society. She mentored several dozen undergraduate students in research and was the Major professor both Masters and Doctoral students in Biology. Recently retired, she is still engaged in research and also is working on a backlog of manuscripts. She enjoys travel and bird watching, gardening and cooking, and trying to improve her ability to draw and paint.
Explore reductive monoprinting in this workshop inspired by Side-Blotched Lizard color patterns. Learn to layer primary colors, creating unique palettes and one-of-a-kind prints. Suitable for all skill levels, this hands-on experience offers a fresh take on color theory and printmaking techniques.
Monoprint Workshop
Friday, September 27, 5:30- 7:30 PM
Taught by Sujata Gopalan
Space is limited! Register now:
OCTOBER: EARTH SCIENCE
Dr. Alex Elvis Badillo
21st Century Archaeology: Digital Methods in Archaeological Fieldwork
Wednesday, October 23, 6 pm
In this talk, you will learn about how digital methods are changing the way that we do archaeological fieldwork as we discuss fascinating case studies from around the world! Specifically, we will focus on a 3D datacapture method called structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry and its effect on archaeological work. Additionally, we will cover other technologies (e.g., drones, GIS, tablet computers) that work in concert with SfM to enhance our ability to document the world around us. As you watch this presentation, you will see how these technologies are broadly applicable to other scientific disciplines, industry, the humanities, and the arts.
Dr. Alex Elvis Badillo is an associate professor of Anthropology in the Department of Earth and Environmental Systems at Indiana State University, and he is the founder and director of the Geospatial and Virtual Archaeology Laboratory and Studio (GVALS). He is an anthropological archaeologist and a specialist in applying new technologies to archaeological practice. In addition to working at ISU, Badillo works with an engineering firm called Stantec as a digital archaeologist and geospatial specialist, where he develops and implements digital workflows for large scale projects that produce large amounts of data. His work with geospatial and 3D technologies have led Badillo to be involved in various collaborative projects in Mexico, Peru, Italy, and the USA, where he works with heritage at multiple scales (local to global).
Photogrammetry Workshop
Friday, October 25, 5:30- 7:30 PM
Taught by Cade O'Fallon
As we move into the 21st century, the use of 3D data to document, visualize, and preserve cultural heritage is becoming commonplace in research, museum, and professional settings. One such method that is being increasingly used by archaeologists, museum conservators, and other heritage professionals is structure from motion (SfM) photogrammetry: the process of turning 2D images into 3D data. In this workshop, you will learn about the fundamentals of SfM photogrammetry. Through hands-on experience creating 3D models of objects on display at the Swope Art Museum, you will be able to step into the world of digital heritage to discover how SfM photogrammetry is revolutionizing the use of 3D data for heritage professionals.
Space is limited! Register now:
NOVEMEBER: Physics
Dr. Sudipa Mitra Kirtley
Good Vibrations: The Physics of Music
TBA
Ever intrigued about where the best seats are in a concert hall? Ever wondered if you could sing opera? How are ocean waves different from sound waves? Do radios generate radio waves? What determines the pitch of a sound? This talk will answer these questions while describing the physics behind sound waves. It will discuss how sound waves are produced, and how they are perceived. You will learn about why flutes sound different from tubas, different from guitars. You will explore what causes resonance and how you can break a wine glass while singing. By listening to the talk and engaging in some experiments you will be sure to sound off your understanding of these topics.
Dr. Sudipa Mitra Kirtley is an expert in X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray photo electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Throughout her faculty tenure, Dr. Kirtley has been analyzing sulfur chemical moieties at the Brookhaven National Laboratory’s National Synchrotron Light Source, Argonne National Laboratory’s Advanced Photon Source, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Advanced Light Source. She involves undergraduate and graduate students in her studies. Dr. Kirtley is a recipient of the Board of Trustees Outstanding Scholar Award, and advises the Society of Women Engineers and the physics honor society student organizations.