Proposal Title
Using music in science class: A bassist dishes the low-down
Session Type
Presentation
Room
Somerville House, room 3345
Start Date
14-7-2023 10:30 AM
End Date
14-7-2023 10:50 AM
Keywords
music, teaching science, using analogy, bass guitar
Primary Threads
Teaching and Learning Science
Abstract
A common misconception is that there are creatives (artists, musicians, actors), and then there are scientists. Anecdotally, some students struggle with this apparent tension. Yet not only are many scientists active in the arts, doing science is itself an inherently creative act. Can expressing our own creativity in the classroom address this false dichotomy and also create a sense of belonging for students who likewise straddle both worlds?
Since music is fundamentally a physical phenomenon that we experience through our senses, it can provide powerful analogies for complex concepts that can be described using the same physical models. Join in a musical learning exploration of the worlds of molecular spectroscopy and quantum theory and consider how you too might leverage the creative arts in your classroom to bridge the so-called cultural divide. (No advanced musical or quantum theoretical knowledge required.)
Elements of Engagement
Participants will be actively involved in observing and reporting on what they see and hear as the analogy is developed. Additional examples will be provided, and participants will be encouraged to share their own experiences.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Using music in science class: A bassist dishes the low-down
Somerville House, room 3345
A common misconception is that there are creatives (artists, musicians, actors), and then there are scientists. Anecdotally, some students struggle with this apparent tension. Yet not only are many scientists active in the arts, doing science is itself an inherently creative act. Can expressing our own creativity in the classroom address this false dichotomy and also create a sense of belonging for students who likewise straddle both worlds?
Since music is fundamentally a physical phenomenon that we experience through our senses, it can provide powerful analogies for complex concepts that can be described using the same physical models. Join in a musical learning exploration of the worlds of molecular spectroscopy and quantum theory and consider how you too might leverage the creative arts in your classroom to bridge the so-called cultural divide. (No advanced musical or quantum theoretical knowledge required.)