When Linda Cabot embarked on a week long sailing trip with her high school aged daughters in 2009 to make an family documentary about environmental issues impacting the Gulf of Maine, she had no idea that just a year later she would launch a nationwide student contest aimed at promoting next generation ocean stewardship and the cross-collaboration between art and science, but that is basically how it all happened.
After returning from the trip, Linda thought a lot about how her own daughters were inspired by researching and grappling head-on with timely environmental issues. She wanted to create a way to expose high schoolers more broadly to issues impacting the ocean and as an artist, it was natural to pair her passion for the ocean with her love of art. As Linda explains "art is a powerful messenger and through art we can help more people understand and care about complex issues in science."
The annual Ocean Awareness Student Contest challenges students to think critically about issues impacting the ocean and allow students to explore the topic alone or in groups, through Art, Essay or Advocacy tracks. The contest also serves as an authentic springboard to promote the connection between art and science in schools. Each year the contest runs from September 15 through June 15th. In 2014 students are invited to explore the timely issue of Ocean Plastics Pollution. High School students can win up to $1500 with an additional $1500 award going to the Art Department of the winning student. Teachers can also win awards for innovative cross collaborative ways of teaching the contest. Creativity is welcome and encouraged. Since 2010 the contest has grown over 50% each year and in 2013 we had entries from 15 states and Canada.
Linda presenting award to
2013 Ocean Awareness Student Contest 1st place winner, Sidni Frederick
Teachers can teach the contest by following these three easy steps:1. As a class, watch this three minute NOAA video that explains why ocean plastics pollution is such an important issue.2. Check out the Art Inspiration links on our site. They include highly visual images of the work of professional artists who use plastics in their artwork or whose work helps bring the issue of plastics pollution to the public eye.3. Have students work alone or in groups to discuss what artists inspire them and how they could develop an art piece for the Ocean Awareness Student Contest. Students can create a painting, sculpture, mixed media, graphic or collage piece to submit. Where appropriate, students can collect plastics debris from beaches, rivers or even their school or local recycling bins or centers to use for their project. Materials do not have to be expensive. Follow the registration link to get full details on how to register and submission requirements before starting your project. Submission deadline is June 15, 2014.
No comments:
Post a Comment