Getting an A in STEM: Beginning a STEAM Collaboration between Art and Chemistry Students
Exploring the transformative potential of integrating artistic creativity with scientific inquiry
Introduction: More Than Just a Letter
Imagine a world where a chemist's notebook is filled with poetry, where a painter's studio is equipped with pH strips and spectrometers, and where a single classroom brings together students who identify as artists and those who live for lab work. This is not a far-fetched scenario; it's the heart of the STEAM movement, which integrates the Arts into the traditional STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) model.
For decades, science and art have been treated as separate, even opposite, disciplines. Yet, at their core, both are driven by inquiry and questioning. Both involve a process of exploring, inventing, and discovering—it just looks a little different in each practice 3 .
The collaboration between art and chemistry, in particular, is a fertile ground for innovation. It pushes students to communicate across jargon-filled boundaries and see problems from new perspectives 1 . From discovering new pigments to preserving cultural heritage, the fusion of these fields creates a richer, more holistic educational experience.
Scientific Benefits
- Enhanced creative problem-solving
- Improved communication skills
- Visualization of abstract concepts
Artistic Benefits
- Understanding material properties
- Access to new techniques and mediums
- Scientific approaches to conservation
The Fusion of Two Worlds: Key Concepts in Art and Chemistry
The intersection of art and chemistry is not a newfangled idea; it is a rediscovery of a deep, historical connection. In the 19th century, the famed chemist Sir Humphry Davy was a prolific poet who moved in the same circles as Romantic poets like Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth 5 .
"Painting is a science and should be pursued as an inquiry into the laws of nature. Why, may not landscape painting be considered a branch of natural philosophy, of which pictures are but the experiments?"
Chemistry of Color
The 2009 accidental discovery of YInMn blue in Mas Subramanian's lab at Oregon State University was the first new blue pigment discovered in over 200 years, inspiring Crayola's "Bluetiful" crayon 1 .
Science of Preservation
Scientists study the deterioration of masterpieces, such as how aging oil paints develop "lead soaps"—salt-like deposits that can alter colors and damage paint integrity 1 .
Mathematics of Form
The Miura-ori origami pattern was used to design a solar panel array that could be neatly folded for launch and then deployed in space 1 .
A Closer Look: The Goldenrod Paper Experiment
To truly understand how seamlessly art and chemistry integrate, one need look no further than a simple, yet beautiful, experiment using goldenrod paper. This activity, demonstrated by the spectrUM Discovery Area museum, perfectly encapsulates the STEAM spirit by transforming a chemical reaction into a piece of art .
Methodology: Painting with pH
Step 1: Prepare the Solutions
Create a mild basic solution by dissolving a teaspoon of baking soda in a quarter cup of water. Then, create a mild acidic solution by dissolving a teaspoon of citric acid (or lemon juice or vinegar) in another quarter cup of water. Safety note: Always use common sense and avoid mixing unknown household chemicals .
Step 2: Test the pH (Optional but Informative)
Dip commercial pH test strips into each solution to determine their pH. The baking soda solution will typically register around pH 9 (a base), while the citric acid solution will register around pH 3 (an acid). This step reinforces the chemical concepts behind the activity .
Step 3: Create the Art
Using a paintbrush, cotton swab, or cotton ball, apply the basic baking soda solution to the goldenrod paper. The paper will instantly change color from its original golden yellow to a vibrant red or dark orange. Then, use the acidic citric acid solution to paint over areas of the red color. The acid neutralizes the base, causing the paper to revert to its original yellow hue .
Step 4: Secret Messages
For an added element of mystery, use a white crayon or paraffin wax to draw a secret message or design on the goldenrod paper. When the basic solution is painted over the entire sheet, the wax will resist the liquid, revealing the hidden design in the original yellow against the now-red background—a technique known as wax resist .
Results and Analysis
The core result is a visually striking piece of art created directly by manipulating pH. The color change in goldenrod paper is due to a natural pH indicator within the paper itself. When exposed to a base, the chemical structure of the dye shifts, absorbing different wavelengths of light and presenting a different color. The acid reverses this reaction.
Color Response of Goldenrod Paper to pH
| Solution Type | Example | pH Range | Color on Goldenrod Paper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acidic | Citric Acid, Vinegar | < 7 | Golden Yellow |
| Neutral | Pure Water | 7 | Golden Yellow |
| Basic | Baking Soda, Soapy Water | > 7 | Red or Dark Orange |
This experiment is more than just a neat trick; it is a tangible demonstration of acid-base chemistry. It allows students to visualize a chemical property that is normally invisible, bridging the gap between abstract concept and concrete, creative output.
Framework for Collaboration: Proven Models for Success
While one-off experiments are engaging, the most profound learning comes from sustained, deep collaboration. Educators have developed several effective models to bring art and chemistry students together in meaningful ways.
Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE)
At Skidmore College, an elective chemistry course partners directly with an art museum. The museum's curators provide authentic art objects with real, unanswered questions about their materials or provenance 2 .
- Students use techniques like X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
- Final assessment includes a report for non-technical audiences
- Teaches students to communicate complex science to diverse audiences
Community Engagement in Science Through Art
Jessica Hoover at West Virginia University runs this program where multi-disciplinary teams of students overcome technical jargon to create interactive art installations 1 .
- Breaks down communication barriers
- Fosters reciprocal learning between disciplines
- Lou Charkoudian partners with artists with disabilities for BioArt projects
Key Skills Developed Through STEAM Collaborations
Communication
Explaining complex concepts across disciplinary boundaries
Creative Problem-Solving
Applying unconventional approaches to scientific challenges
Technical Proficiency
Using scientific instrumentation for authentic applications
Interdisciplinary Thinking
Viewing problems through multiple lenses
The Scientist's Toolkit: Essential Materials for Chemistry-Based Art
Entering the world of STEAM doesn't require a million-dollar lab. Many compelling projects can be done with a few key reagents and materials. The following toolkit lists essential items for a range of basic to advanced collaborations.
Essential Research Reagents and Materials for STEAM Projects
| Item | Function in STEAM Projects | Example Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Genuine Goldenrod Paper | A natural pH indicator that changes color in response to acids and bases. | Creating pH-based paintings; secret message demonstrations . |
| pH Test Strips | Measures the pH of a solution, providing quantitative data to accompany visual changes. | Testing the acidity/basicity of various household solutions; validating color changes in goldenrod paper . |
| Epoxy Resin | A polymer that cures from a liquid to a solid state when a chemical hardener is added. | Teaching polymer chemistry while creating cast molds or providing a glass-like finish for artwork 3 . |
| X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometer | A non-destructive analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of materials. | Identifying pigments in a painting or elements in a ceramic glaze without damaging the object 2 . |
| Bacterial Strains | Safe, non-pathogenic bacteria that can be cultured to create patterns and art. | Creating "BioArt" on agar plates; teaching microbiology and sterile technique 1 . |
Conclusion: The Masterpiece of Interdisciplinary Learning
The collaboration between art and chemistry is far more than a gimmick. It is a powerful educational paradigm that prepares students for a world that does not operate in disciplinary silos.
For Science Students
Art students gain an appreciation for the methodical inquiry and fundamental laws that shape their materials.
For Art Students
Chemistry students learn the value of creativity, communication, and visual expression.
They learn that both the canvas and the petri dish are sites for experimentation, and that the most beautiful results often come from the most unexpected collaborations.
The Future of STEAM Education
As schools and universities continue to embrace STEAM, the stories of successful partnerships offer a blueprint. Whether it's through a formal CURE course, a community art project, or a simple experiment with goldenrod paper, the goal is the same: to show that in the spaces where science and art meet, we find not just a better way to educate, but a more complete way to see and interact with the world.