Art Meets Science at the Science Gallery

The University High School’s relationship with the Science Gallery was established in 2022 and since this time the gallery staff have provided a significant number of exciting and diverse educational experiences. 

Throughout the month of May, University High School students from Art and Technology classes have enjoyed a variety of learning experiences at the Science Gallery, at the University of Melbourne. 

Year 7 and 8 students, along with VCE students studying Art Making and Exhibiting, enjoyed off-campus experiences that included gallery visits to the Breaking the Binaries exhibition. These visits were supported by floor talks about the works by Science Gallery education staff. 

Educational workshops conducted for Year 7 students complement this exhibition, and in the gallery’s teaching spaces these students explored the notion of comfort in a hands-on design workshop. Students collaborated in the design and production of a model of their ideal ‘comfort’ room using ‘found materials’. These resources used were ethically sourced from a reclaimed commercial waste distributor that provides schools with low-cost, alternative art and design materials.

Year 8 Food Technology students attended a workshop with a gallery educator (and resident food scientist) which explored alternative food sources. Students and staff participated in taste testing and hands on cooking sessions using alternative and sustainable protein sources. 

Alongside taste testing of mealworms and cricket corn chips, students learned that crickets offer a good source of iron, protein, and vitamin B12. Those who dared, added a sprinkle of unidentified powdered insect protein to their hand-crafted waffles.

The Art and Technology domain has been thrilled to offer our students these exciting learning opportunities and we look forward to offering similar experiences to more students in the future.

Bronwyn White - Art / Visual Communication & Design Teacher