ANIMATING MICROBES: USING FORENSIC ANIMATION AND HUMOR TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC

Scientists observe the world around them in an attempt to understand it. Artists observe the world around them in an attempt to create a reflection or response to the environment. It is critical for the two fields to work together in order to engage and inform the general population. As an artist with a scientific illustration, forensic animation, and education background, this author will highlight a specific award-winning children’s e-book entitled “Where Wild Microbes Grow,” a project that was funded through the support of C-DEBI and an NSF grant based on data collected from the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP). This free e-book was designed to meet both language arts and science standards and was designed with illustrations and animations to introduce elementary school age children to the research of IODP. This presentation will speak to the process and successes of this project.