The Arts Vs Science Debate

The relationship between Art and Science has always been a debatable one to the fact that they are known to be so different but yet so similar that they both play a powerful impact on the education of children today.

The Power of Art

Art within education can be seen as a way of communicating ones feelings or expressing ones creative individual mind which offers opportunity to excel within life by creating skills such as problem solving and critical thinking (Hodge, 2010; Golomb, 2011). It has also been known that art within education can help children gain confidence which can then reflect on them to have better behavioral attitude towards other subjects (Atkinson, 2002). As children's cultural attitudes change with welcoming of new social technologies such as the internet and television, their thinking requires different needs and ways to help them learn more efficiently (Hickman, 2004).

 The Power of Science

Science would probably be the most influential and powerful aspect to the way children learn and think today. Science has given humanity the ability to expand their reach to develop new technologies within their way of life. According to Abell and Lederman (2007) Science within education allows learners to be able to measure accurately the world around them and allow them to think logically about major phenomena's which will give them the ability to predict such occurrences in future.  

Art or Science?

I believe that art has the ability to open children's minds and allows them to be free to explore different cultural aspects and movements to form new ideas. While Science supplies new learners with facts about the world which can support their thinking to achieve spectacular results and  be able to evolve humanity as one. However by understanding the importance of both elements, it is difficult to extinguish whether or not one is more superior than the other due to the paradox of them being unable to grow without each other. The way I see it is that science is inspired by new and critical thinking which is reflected from art, and art is only breaking the barriers with the influences of science. Both areas have the ability to develop creative minds and produce a future for the way we live within society. 

Exploring more about how creative approaches with the combination of art and science can be adapted within education leads onto my next post about the Leonardo Effect which explores the stages and ways of creating an effect curriculum.

References 

Image 1. http://enableeducation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/shutterstock_13468741.jpg
Image 2. http://ehstoday.com/safety/don-t-be-shocked-static-electricity-q

Abell, S. K. and Lederman, N. G. (2007) Handbook of Research on Science Education. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaun Associates.

Atkinson, D. (2002) Art in Education: Identity and Practice. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publisher.

Golomb, C. (2011) The Creation of Imaginary Worlds: The Role of Art, magic & Dreams in Child Development. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Hickman, R. (2004) Art Education 11-18: Meaning, Purpose and Direction. London: Continuum

Hodge, S. (2010) The Art and Design Teacher's Handbook. London: Continuum International Publishing Group