Jw-8507 the Artistic Presentation of Scientific
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Project Number: JW-8507 THE ARTISTIC PRESENTATION OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AS A MEANS TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS An Interactive Qualifying Project Submitted to the Faculty of the WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE In partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Degree of Bachelor of Science By ____________________________ Ian Anderson ____________________________ Andres Lopez ____________________________ Mark Lindblad Date: April 24, 2008 _____________________________________ Professor George Pins, Major Advisor _____________________________________ Professor Jennifer Wilcox, Co Advisor _____________________________________ Professor Andrew Klein, Co advisor 1 Acknowledgements We thank the all the researchers at WPI who shared their time and knowledge with us and with out whom this exhibit wouldn‟t have been possible. They devoted time to interviews and email correspondence with students whom for the most part they had had no previous contact. This is a testament to the quality and enthusiasm of the faculty at WPI and their generosity in sharing their research and labs with us made this project the success that it was. The guidance of our advisors throughout the conception and execution of the project kept the team productive and on track. Their enthusiasm and support helped the team persevere through the tremendous workload an exhibit and project of this nature requires. We also would like to thank: Vangy Tool Co., Worcester,MA National Glass Works, Worcester MA D.B. Cotton, Putnam, CT EcoTarium, Worcester, MA A special thanks goes to Professor Jennifer Wilcox for funding the project through her professional development fund. 2 Table of Contents Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................... 2 Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ 3 Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 5 List of Figures ................................................................................................................................. 6 List of Tables .................................................................................................................................. 6 Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 7 Introduction and Background ......................................................................................................... 9 Methods of Conveying Science .............................................................................................................. 12 The Interaction of Art and Science ......................................................................................................... 22 Perceptions of Art and Science ............................................................................................................... 27 Scanning Electron Microscopy as an Analytical Tool ............................................................................ 30 The Use of SEM as a Source of Artistic Inspiration ............................................................................... 33 Light microscopy as an Analytical Tool ................................................................................................. 35 Differential Interference Contrast Microscopy as an Analytic Tool ....................................................... 35 Fluorescence Imaging as an Analytical Tool ........................................................................................... 36 Objectives ..................................................................................................................................... 38 Methodology ................................................................................................................................. 39 Project Design: Origins ........................................................................................................................... 39 Support and Funding ............................................................................................................................... 42 Researcher Interviews ............................................................................................................................. 43 Imaging ................................................................................................................................................... 44 Black and White Wet Process ................................................................................................................. 46 Test Prints ............................................................................................................................................... 47 Frame Design .......................................................................................................................................... 47 Design of Individual Works .................................................................................................................... 52 Electrospun Fibers .............................................................................................................................. 52 Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells ........................................................................................................... 54 Inorganic Hydrogen Separation Membranes ...................................................................................... 55 Mouse Oocytes .................................................................................................................................... 56 Oocytes, HeLa Cells and Fibroblasts .................................................................................................. 58 Zeolites ................................................................................................................................................ 59 3 Analysis of a Steel Beam from the World Trade Center .................................................................... 60 Video Console and Text .......................................................................................................................... 61 Survey Design ............................................................................................................................... 68 Results and Discussion ................................................................................................................. 71 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 78 Further Recommendations ............................................................................................................ 78 Bibliography ................................................................................................................................. 80 Appendices .................................................................................................................................... 83 A1 Worcester Local Cultural Commission Grant Particulars ........................................................... 83 A1.1 LCC Grant Application ........................................................................................................... 83 A1.2 Letter of Student Commitment ............................................................................................... 85 A1.3 Letters of Support.................................................................................................................... 86 A1.4 Supporting Curriculum Vitae of Project Members ................................................................. 90 A1.5 Additional Information ........................................................................................................... 98 A2 Preliminary Research Interviews .............................................................................................. 100 A3 Important Science and Art Quotes ............................................................................................ 101 A4 Project Expenditures ................................................................................................................. 104 A5 Survey Responses ...................................................................................................................... 104 A5.1 How would you describe this exhibit to a friend? ................................................................ 104 A5.2 How has this exhibit affected your definitions of art and science, if at all? ......................... 106 A5.3 Which aspect of this Exhibit will you remember most? ....................................................... 107 A5.4 Please share any Additional responses to the Exhibit .......................................................... 108 A5.5 Demographics ....................................................................................................................... 109 A6 Exhibit Invitation ....................................................................................................................... 110 A7 Blank Exhibit Questionnaire ...................................................................................................... 111 A8 Grounded Theory Survey .........................................................................................................