Using art in teaching Marine Ecology

Developing a deeper connection with the marine world through creativity

The teaching semester is in full swing and this year we thought we’d try a new approach.

Invertebrate taxonomy of course involves learning many of the differentiating features that define each group. Just looking at these features in a book, on a screen, or down a micropscope can be overwhelming, and let’s face it, a bit tedious for some.

So how about breaking it up with a bit of art? This way, the students are learning the important invertebrate features in a relaxed setting while letting the creatuve juices flow. We provided a wide assortment of specimens to choose from - from shells and corals, to fossils and histological sections.

And to add another artistic angle, we also included a cyanotyping activity - where the subject and the sun’s UV rays combine with chemistry to create silhouettes and shadows on paper. This really got the students thinking about the shape and form of the different specimens!

Many thanks to Sarah Seabrook and Jean McKinnon for bringing their drawing and cyanoptyping materials and expertise.