Historical Catalysts

Artist in Residency Program

Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership Pennsylvania Council on the Arts

& Grover Washington Jr. Middle School

The School District of Philadelphia

Historical Catalysts

A Project of the Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, & Grover Washington Jr. Middle

School, The School District of Philadelphia

Long Term Residency with Artist Benjamin Volta, Teacher Jerry Jackson, and Students from Grover

Washington Jr. Middle School

Foreward

Back in 1985 when Haley’s Comet was passing the Earth, Project 2064 was initiated. This year was important because many American children who were entering school in this year would live to see the return of Haley’s comet in 2064.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science started Project 2064 as a way to bring together sci-entists, mathematicians, and technologists to ponder what skills and core science knowledge would be needed for science literacy in this century. They understood that science, mathematics, and technology would continue to push our society to evolve and change at an ever quickening pace.

After many meetings, educators joined the process of exploring the many skills students needed to learn so that they could engage science at the highest levels. In addition, the educators explored the best methods of teach-ing that would ensure comprehensive science literacy.

Upon completion of their collaborative work, they published Science for All Americans. In this text they gave a list of content areas that are interrelated but also individually critical for a fuller understanding of the extensive way the sciences, mathematics, and technology frame our western culture and support our ability to daily adapt to new innovations and discoveries.

Some of the recommended areas for exploration and learning are:

The Nature of Science The Nature of Technology The Living Environment The Designed World The Mathematical World Historical Perspectives

In so many ways, the Historical Catalyst project described in this text is one of the best examples of differentiat-ed instruction that enabled each student to enter into the research called for by Project 2064. It is an excellent example of inquiry-based learning. Students explored the individual background of leading American scientists and then created works of art that captured their scientific discoveries from within the view of their mind’s eye. The research, writing, and creative response to their findings were individualized and constructivist in nature.

These students will never forget this exploration into the world of the sciences because the process was student-centered and culminated with a creative experience that gave voice and vision to each individual child.

Students not only discovered the extensive way the sciences, technology, and mathematics are interrelated, they also discovered their place in this ever-changing world. As each child became an expert on their particular topic and presented their research findings and their science-based artwork, the students joined the commu-nity of teachers as facilitators of scientific literacy, and in so doing, enabled their class to accomplish a greater expanse of scientific inquiry.

In closing, I commend the Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts for sponsoring the Historical Catalyst project. It takes STEM to STEAM and shows how the arts are the creative ingredient that gives wings to the imagination and flight to scientific innovation and discovery.

Dennis W. Creedon, Ed.D.Deputy Chief, Academic Enrichment and SupportSchool District of Philadelphia

About Historical Catalysts

Our project began with students drafting reports on the achievements and biographies of nineteen distinguished individuals listed on the Cultural Programs of the National Academy of Sciences, African American History Pro-grams website. Using these reports students then searched for imagery online to help visualize each distinguished individual’s achievements in science, engineering, and medicine. These images were then printed and used to guide the group to create a collection of drawings for each individual. From these drawings, each student created a digital self-portrait that contained explorations from everyone in the group.

We first imagined that each self-portrait might function as an element on the periodic table. Similar to the way ele-ments combine to form compounds, we imagined a large collaborative artwork that would bond together achieve-ments in art and science. As our project developed we also began to imagine how different areas of science, engineering, and medicine may not only bond, but also crash into each other, to spark and radiate new ideas. While exploring this new idea, we could not help but draw inspiration from the large Hadron Collider in Geneva, Switzer-land. Contemporary scientists smashing atoms together with the hopes to understand the formation of the universe led us to imagine what it would look like to collide our explorations in art and science.

The School District of Philadelphia Science and Mathematics Teacher Jerry Jackson and Artist Ben Volta:

About the Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership

The Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership (PAEP) provides quality arts in education experiences for children throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. PAEP is grounded in the belief that a comprehensive education in the arts should be a part of the general education of every student. The Partnership designs and implements innovative programs to improve learning across all content areas for K-12 students in schools and community sites. Through intensive professional development, PAEP trains and mentors cohort teams of teachers and artists to integrate the arts into the curriculum by engaging students in hands-on learning experiences anchored in the Common Core Standards. PAEP uses assessment data from the programs to prove the direct impact that exposure to the arts has on improved education. The Partnership has provided programs in arts in education to over 165,000 students in more than 3,800 classrooms and community sites throughout southeastern Pennsylvania since 2001.

About the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and its Pennsylvania Arts in Education Partnership

The Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership (PAEP) serves the southeast region as part of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA)’s Arts in Education Partnership. The PCA formed the partnership to enhance its arts in education efforts through a network of partners comprised of local and regional organizations that recruit, select, train, place, and evaluate professional-quality artists for residencies in educational settings.

The PCA fosters educational excellence in the Commonwealth through participation in the creative process in schools and community settings through artist residencies, projects, and partnerships. Study of the arts provides Pennsylvania’s students with models for achievement, goal-setting, self-discipline, teamwork, and project manage-ment, along with occasions for intellectual and emotional discovery. Funding from the PCA assists hundreds of Pennsylvania schools by providing unique opportunities for students to explore and develop their creative abilities, enrich the important work of arts educators, and support curriculum.

The PCA’s Long-Term Residency Projects emphasize in-depth curriculum-based interaction between professional teaching artists and students through workshops and classes over a significant time period (60 days). Participants work to understand the art form involved and develop their knowledge, skills, and creativity through that art form. The critical foundation for a long-term residency is collaboration among educators, artists, and school administra-tors. Projects feature artistic and curricular goals and objectives that engage the learner in the creative process through activities that support those goals. The PCA plans to share outcomes from these projects with various agencies and entities for professional purposes and make them available to help leverage additional program fund-ing. The continuing success of the program envisions participating artists, educators, and school administrators becoming part of a corps of arts in education leaders across the Commonwealth.

The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) is a state agency in the Office of the Governor. It receives funding through an annual state appropriation and from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. Its mission is to foster the excellence, diversity, and vitality of the arts in Pennsylvania and to broaden the availability of those arts throughout the state.

Eve V. for Archie Alexander

Archie A. Alexander was a civil engineer. He built streets, power plants, and sewer systems. Archie A. Alexander also made airfields. I picked him because his power plants are all over the world. To me, the most interesting things that he built are the bridges because it’s cool how they are so strong, big, and able to move in case a boat needs to pass through.

My name is Eve. I am 15 years of age. I like to listen to music and draw. After I finish school I would like to be either an artist or singer. I want to create art that will impact the world like Archie A. Alexander’s streets, sewers, and power plants. One day, I might even create art on a piece of something he has created.

Chahravaun S. for Howard S. Jones Sr.

Howard Jones was a chief of the microwave research branch of the U.S. De-partment of the Army. He developed and designed state of the art microwave antennas, electronic components, and devices for use in communication sys-tems. He also held 31 patents for things he designed. I chose Howard Jones Sr. because I found his work interesting and it made me wonder if he can send signals to life on other planets.

I am Chahravaun, age 13, and my favorite subject in school is science. I’m planning to get into college and become an astronomer. I think it connects to the work of Howard Jones because I want to send robots into space that can use communication systems to see if there is other life on different planets.

Patrice S. for Kenneth Olden

Kenneth Olden is a cell biologist who researched cancer. He has written many papers and books about cancer biology. I find his work interesting because it works with the human body.

My name is Patrice, I am 12 years old and I like skateboarding. My favorite thing to do is ride my skateboard and learn new tricks. When I grow up I want to be a veterinarian because I like animals. This relates to Kenneth Olden’s work because he studied the biology of human cells like I want to study the biology of animals.

Jenny L. for M. Wharton Young

M. Wharton Young was a neuroanatomist. He was also a scholar, professor, and visiting lecturer. His main research was in the fields of baldness and deaf-ness. Research on the anatomical basis of glaucoma was also part of his stud-ies. I found M. Wharton Young interesting because I’m interested in anatomy.

I’m Jenny. I am 14 years old and my interests include playing the piano and doing things that use my creativity. After graduating from school I plan to have a good paying job that I enjoy doing. I can kind of connect to M. Wharton Young because I plan on being in the medical field.

Alize B. for Samuel M. Nabrit

Samuel M. Nabrit was a biologist with a long, distinguished career in sci-ence education. He was an accomplished marine biologist and he studied the regeneration of the tail fins of injured fish. I choose Samuel M. Nabrit because he studied organisms in the ocean, which interests me.

My name is Alize and I’m 11 years old. I like to go online and chat with friends. I’m interested in weird fish in the sea and animals on land. When I grow up I want to be a veterinarian and study animals just like Samuel M. Nabrit did.

Jaire S. for John B. Slaughter

John Brooks Slaughter was a computer scientist. He was also President and CEO of the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering. He’s best known for the computer algorithms that he developed for system optimization and discrete signal processing. The algorithms focused on ocean and envi-ronmental problems. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He’s also the recipient of 28 honorary degrees.

My name is Jaire. I am 11 years old and in 6th grade at Grover WashingtonJr. Middle School. I like to play football and baseball. When I grow up I want to be involved with computers. This relates to John Brooks Slaughter because he worked with computers too.

Ramon D. for Christine Voncile Mann Darden

Christine Darden was an aerospace engineer. She worked with sonic boom noise reduction. I found her interesting because she dealt with planes. She found out the sonic boom effect is by the shockwave of an airplane traveling faster than the speed of sound.

My name is Ramon. I am 13 years old and I love football. I also like to play basketball and video games. I chose Christine Darden because she worked with planes. When I grow up I want to be an electrician and planes use elec-tronics to fly.

Briana C. for Garrett Augustus Morgan, Sr.

Garett Augustus Morgan invented the traffic signal, which is now called the traffic light. He also invented the safety hood and smoke protector for fire fight-ers, which he used to save people from a tunnel explosion under Lake Erie. I chose Garrett Augustus Morgan because I always wondered who created traffic lights.

My name is Briana and I am 11 years old. I like to play piano in my spare time, and in the car I like to wonder who controls the streetlights. Is it a button that someone pushes or is it automatic? When I grow up I want to be a pathologist. A pathologist is a person who studies diseases and Garrett Augustus Morgan used the safety mask he invented to prevent people from getting sick.

Han T. for Bernard A. Harris, Jr.

Bernard Harris is such an interesting scientist because he was an astronaut and studied muscles and skeletons. He participated in the first flight of the joint Russian-American Space Program, and he was also the first African American to walk in space. Not only is he an important scientist, but he’s also a profes-sor of internal medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch. I chose Bernard A. Harris Jr. because I’m hoping to be an astronaut myself one day.

My name is Han. I was born in Vietnam to a very caring family in 1997. Every-day they encourage me to try my best at school. Their support means a lot to me. As a child growing up, I always wanted to be an astronomer and I still do today. I want to be an astronomer because I love the stars, the moon, and so on. I’ve always wondered what else exists in the galaxy.

Jacquez J. for Benjamin Banneker

Benjamin Banneker was a tobacco farmer, mathematician, and astronomer. In 1770 he met a man named George Elliot who was an astronomer. He let Ben-jamin use a telescope and read his astronomy books. In 1789 he became fa-mous for successfully predicting a solar eclipse. After studying a pocket watch borrowed from a European trader, Benjamin Banneker was able to make his own clock that kept accurate time for the rest of his life. We are learning about many historical African Americans, but I chose Benjamin Banneker because he convinced Thomas Jefferson the almanac he wrote was as good as the ones written by people of any other race.

My name is Jacquez, I am 14 years old, and I go to Grover Washington Jr. Middle School. I like to spend time with my family and use computers. When I grow up I want to be a lawyer. Lawyers try to convince people that their client is right, and Benjamin Banneker convinced Thomas Jefferson that all races are equal.

Catalyst

Collider

Collaborative artwork: Catalyst Collider - 5’ x 12’ Archival Pigment Print and Acrylic on Hosho paper adhered to canvas. One print hangs at Grover Washington Jr. Middle School, Philadelphia, PA and one is in the permanent collection of The Cultural Program at the National Academy of Sciences.

Naaman J. for Wanda Austin

Wanda Austin is an engineer known for her work on satellites. She is the president and chief executive of The Aerospace Corporation. The Aerospace Corporation helps find solutions to important issues related to US Space Pro-gram, including national security. She has received many awards for her work, and she has been inducted into the Women in Technology International (WITI) Hall of Fame. I chose Wanda because I love satellites and space.

My name is Naaman. I am 12 years old and in 6th grade at Grover Washington Jr. Middle School. I love to watch and play baseball. When I grow up I want to be an engineer. This relates to Wanda because she was an engineer for the aerospace program too.

Reggie R. for Ernest E. Just

Ernest E. Just was a marine biologist. He studied organisms in the ocean and other bodies of water. Ernest E. Just researched the fertilization of marine animals in Massachusetts. He also wrote articles on his study of fertilization of the eggs of marine mammals. I chose Ernest E. Just because I’m interested in marine mammals and sea animals.

My name is Reginald. I am 11 years old and I enjoy bowling. My favorite sport is soccer. I want to be an architect when I grow up and draw things like aquari-ums with sea mammals inside.

Ebony R. for George Carruthers

George Carruthers worked as a scientist responsible for developing a special camera. The camera was special because it was designed to study the earth’s upper atmosphere, interplanetary and interstellar space, stars, and galaxies by making observations of light in the far ultra-violet. I chose him because I think that he is interesting. We read his background and I thought, “Wow, he’s awe-some!” I really like working with telescopes, especially with astronomy. Also this camera made a trip to the moon aboard Apollo 16 in 1972 and we are learning about satellites and telescopes.

My name is Ebony and I am 12 years old. I like all subjects, but my favorites are math and science, especially astronomy. When I grow up, there are so many occupations that I want to have, and one of them is an astronomer. If I become an astronomer, I hope to get the opportunity to use a telescope to learn and study facts about stars, planets, and so on. Maybe I could even use the camera like George Carruthers did, so that I could take pictures of what I see in the solar system.

Tommy Y. for Charles Henry Turner

Charles Henry Turner was a biologist, neurologist, and psychologist, who stud-ied animal behavior. The main reason I chose Charles Henry Turner is because he studied insects such as bees and ants. Insects amaze me because they are more dangerous than they look. I even like how insects adapt so they can defend themselves from enemies. It was also fun learning what the bugs look like up close.

I can tell you a little about myself. My name is Tommy. Right now I am 11 years old. At home I like to play with my Legos. That’s why I want be a paleontologist when I grow up. Constructing dinosaur fossils is similar to constructing Legos. I will study dinosaurs just like Charles Henry Turner studied insects.

Rebecca C. for Mae C. Jemison

Mae Jemison was best known for being the first African-American woman to go to space and to be in the NASA space program. Mae also practiced medicine. She founded a non-profit foundation. She has a degree in chemical engineer-ing. I found being the first woman of color to go into outer space very interest-ing.

My name is Rebecca. I am 10 years old and I am attending Grover Washington Jr. Middle School. I like to draw and paint and I want to be an astronomer when I grow up. Mae Jemison was the first woman of color to go into space and I want to discover something new in space that no one has ever seen before.

Amir H-D. for Arlie Oswald Petters

Arlie Oswald Petters is a professor of mathematics, physics, and business administration at Duke University. He is a multi-dimensional theoretician. Mr. Peters predicted effects that probe the nature of space-time around a black hole. He has won several awards and honors. I found him interesting because of his study of black holes and his study of space.

My name is Amir, I’m 12 years old and I like football, tae-kwon-do, rock music, and video games. I want to be an archeologist when I grow up so I can study the earth to learn about the past like Arlie Oswald Peters studies space to learn about black holes.

Kiersten W. for Daniel Hale Williams

Daniel Hale Williams was the first person in the world to successfully operate on a human heart. He was the founder of Provident Hospital. That is a school for training African American nurses and interns. He was an important African American surgeon. I chose him because I think it is interesting that he was a heart surgeon.

My name is Kiersten. I am 12 years old. I like reading, dancing, singing, and just being a kid. When I grow up, I want to either be a lawyer or a medical doc-tor. I want to be a lawyer because I like debating things. I want to be a medical doctor because I am interested in the human body, such as the bones and how they work. Maybe I will even work with the heart like Daniel Hale Williams did.

Cynthia L. for Alexa I. Canady

Alexa I. Canady was the first African American female neurosurgeon. A neuro-surgeon specializes in surgery on the spinal cord and the brain. She was chief of neurosurgery at Childrens Hospital of Michigan. I picked Alexa I. Canady because I find surgery of the brain to be very interesting.

My name is Cynthia and I’m 13 years old. I really like math and playing field hockey. When I grow up I want to be a lawyer, which requires you to use your brain and be smart so you can win your case, just like Alexa I. Canady used her brain to study the brain.

Rashelle B. for Warren M. Washington

Warren Washington was the inspiration for my artwork. Mr. Washington is a climatologist who studies climate patterns of the Earth. His creation of the climate map is used for the comparison of weather patterns. They have also been used for global warming predictions.

I am Rashelle, age 14, and I am in 8th grade. I chose Warren Washington because his work has a huge connection to my works of art. Mr. Washington works with climate maps, which have a lot of color, shapes, and patterns. Some of the vibrant colors were used as an inspiration for some of my cre-ations. In the future, I would like to become an interior designer and an artist. I would like to continue using Mr. Washington’s climate map as the inspira-tion for even more projects!

In Process

Visit to the National Academy of SciencesWashington, DC

On February 25, 2011 students from Grover Washington Jr. Middle School had the opportunity to listen to Dr. Warren M. Washington speak on climate change at the Third African American History Program Address at the Keck Center in Washington, DC. At the end of the talk, the students presented Dr. Wash-ington with an artwork inspired by his life and work.

Eve V., Chahravaun S., Patrice S., Jenny L., Alize B., Jaire S., Ramon D., Briana C., Han T., Jacquez J., Naaman J., Reggie R., Ebony R., Tommy Y., Rebecca C., Amir H-D., Kiersten W.,

Cynthia L., Rashelle B., Jerry Jackson, and Benjamin Volta with Dr. Warren Washington.

PAEP STAFF

Pearl B. Schaeffer, CEORaye M. Cohen, Director of Education Megan Lafferty, Director of AdministratorMary Dupre, Special Programs ManagerSarah Strickland, Administrative AssistantSarah Saleet, Administrative Assistant

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mr. Jeffrey Blumenfeld, President Dr. Donald Gephardt, TreasurerDr. Barbara Suplee, Secretary

Mr. Donald O. H. BrownDr. Dennis W. CreedonDr. Suzanne HorvitzSister Lauretta LinsalataMs. Linda RichardsonMs. Marla ShoemakerThe Honorable Carolyn Engel Temin

The Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Tom Corbett, Governor

Pennsylvania Council on the Arts

Citizen MembersSusan Corbett, Chairman PittsburghE. Jeanne Gleason, Vice Chairman Johnstown

Susan K. Breon ErieStewart R. Cades CarversvilleLaura E. Ellsworth, Esq. SewickleyJeffrey W. Gabel GettysburgSusan H. Goldberg Philadelphia Stephen J. Harmelin, Esq. PhiladelphiaGayle Isa PhiladelphiaJustin Laing PittsburghWilliam Lehr, Jr. PalmyraRobert W. Pullo York Marilyn J. Santarelli DallasJames A. West, Jr. PittsburghJen H. Zaborney Harrisburg

Legislative Members

Representative Mark B. Cohen PhiladelphiaSenator Charles T. McIlhinney, Jr. DoylestownRepresentative Tina Pickett TowandaSenator Anthony H. Williams Philadelphia

PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL ON THE ARTS

Philip Horn, Executive DirectorBrian Rogers, Deputy Executive DirectorJamie Dunlap, Arts in Education

SCHOOL REFORM COMMISSION

Pedro A. Ramos, Esq., Chairman

Lorene Cary, CommissionerJoseph A. Dworetsky, Esq., CommissionerFeather Houstoun, CommissionerWendell E. Pritchett, Esq., Commissioner

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA

Thomas E. Knudsen, Acting Superintendent and Chief Recovery OfficerPenny Nixon, Chief Academic OfficerDr. Dennis W. Creedon, Ed.D, Deputy Chief Office Academic Enrichment and SupportTerry Pearsall-Hargett, Principal Grover Washington Jr. Middle School

PAEP wishes to thank The Cultural Programs at the National Academy of Sciences for additional support provided to Historical Catalysts.

The Philadelphia Arts in Educationat the University of the Arts

320 S. Broad StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19102

paep@uarts.edu www.paep.net