TEACHING EARTH SCIENCE USING 70,000 YEARS OF ART

Integrating art history with Earth Science education can enhance understanding of important geoscience concepts, as well as create stronger connections with "non-science" students. Beginning with examples of cave art from 70,000 years ago, this presentation surveys the earth materials used by artists to produce permanent images of their world. Selected case studies include Roman mosaics, early Church art, illuminated manuscripts, Renaissance and other periods. Also discussed are artists who accompanied 18th and 19th century scientific expeditions, Constable's cloud studies and the beginning of meteorology, the Hudson River School of Art, and museum dioramas. Suggestions for using art in the classroom will be provided.