Microbe Art Can Educate & Correct Misconceptions about Microorganisms

Autor/inn/en	Sangweme, Davison; Lampert, Evan; McIntosh, Erin
Titel	Microbe Art Can Educate & Correct Misconceptions about Microorganisms
Quelle	In: American Biology Teacher, 82 (2020) 3, S.162-169 (8 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0002-7685
Schlagwörter	Microbiology; Science Education; Misconceptions; Teaching Methods; Art Activities + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Mikrobiologie; Naturwissenschaftliche Bildung; Missverständnis; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Künstlerische Tätigkeit
Abstract	Microorganisms are diverse, minute, simple life-forms that generally cannot be seen by the naked eye and require the use of a microscope to be visualized. They have a great impact on all other life-forms. Their tiny size conceals them from us, engendering misunderstanding and fear due to the diseases caused by only a tiny minority of them. We conceptualized and installed an art exhibition called "Tiny Enormous" with the intent to educate our campus community and correct misconceptions about microorganisms. "Tiny Enormous" utilized a variety of artistic media, including paint, sculpture, video, and preserved plates, to display the diversity and ubiquity of microbes, and a series of infographics to illustrate key concepts and correct misconceptions. We surveyed visitors at the opening and closing receptions to examine their knowledge about, and perceptions and attitudes toward, microorganisms prior to and after visiting the exhibition. Respondents who had viewed "Tiny Enormous" demonstrated better knowledge of microbiological terms and concepts and self-reported increased knowledge about microorganisms compared to those who had not. Perceptions that microorganisms were harmful did not differ between subjects prior to and after visiting "Tiny Enormous," possibly because of the exhibition's information about "superbugs." Our results suggest that artistic representations of microorganisms are effective educational tools for both academic and nonacademic audiences. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	University of California Press. 2000 Center Street Suite 303, Berkeley, CA 94704. Tel: 510-643-7154; Fax: 510-642-9917; e-mail: customerservice@ucpressjournals.com; Web site: http://www.ucpressjournals.com/journal.php?j=abt
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01