Computer art graphics integration of art and science

In an experimental computer art graphics class, students explored geological concepts and processes through creating art. It was examined if students' achievement in geology could be improved by creating art, and how quality of students' artwork may be influenced by their scientific experiences. Analyses of variance and covariance showed significant difference between the mean geology laboratory grades and course final grades for the experimental and the control group. Jurors' evaluations of the students' artwork in the form of a forced q-sort correlated with the order of art creation. The questionnaire answers revealed that the creation of geology-related art provided the students with confidence about their artistic abilities and increased students' understanding of scientific concepts. The results of this study indicated that building representations of scientific concepts through computer art may improve students' achievement in science and enhance their artistic production. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.