From game design to interior design: Science Gallery Melbourne develops creative teaching and learning programs
Over 3,500 students from four universities engaged with Science Gallery Melbourne’s DISPOSABLE exhibition as part of their studies opportunities.
Global Challenges students discuss the issues of air pollution at Science Gallery’s Pollution Pods installation (Peter Anikijenko, 2019)
In 2019, Science Gallery Melbourne (SGM) developed a range of teaching and learning programs to engage university students with their DISPOSABLE pop-up exhibition. Ellie Michaelides – SGM’s Learning and Engagement Coordinator – drove this program, developing partnerships with subject coordinators at universities in Melbourne.
In total, over 3,500 students participated in the program through 26 different subjects across four universities. At The University of Melbourne, nine faculties engaged with the program. The collaborations were flexible to meet the needs of the subject curriculum, and diverse in the outcomes in the students’ work. The program saw Journalism students produce podcasts that explored the theme of DISPOSABLE, which featured in the exhibition and online, while Sound Design students developed sound installations for a theatrical public event.
“Science Gallery’s exhibitions provide a creative way to find a connection between the real-world and what students learn about in class.”
Game Design students developed a variety of different games inspired by artwork Trash Robot (a remote-controlled, trashcollecting robot), while Arts Communication students assessed the effectiveness of SGM’s marketing efforts around DISPOSABLE.
Interior Design, Fine Art, Poetry and Theatre students took inspiration from DISPOSABLE for their performances, exhibitions and writing, while Biology students studied polystyrene-eating mealworms from artwork Plastivore in their practical classes.
Students studying Global Challenges discussed air quality with the Chief Scientist of the Environmental Protection Authority before visiting the Pollution Pods installation to further explore air quality issues, plus many more diverse and creative collaborations. The feedback from subject coordinators was positive across the board, with plans to continue many of these partnerships for SGM’s next exhibition MENTAL in 2021.
WHAT THEY SAID?
‘Science Gallery’s themed exhibitions provide unique content for subject coordinators to incorporate into their teaching. They provide a creative way for students to find a connection between the real-world and what they are learning about in class.’ – Ellie Michaelides, Learning and Engagement Coordinator, Science Gallery Melbourne
‘The skills the Audio Journalism students gained from recording, structuring, and editing podcasts for public broadcast and exhibition strengthened their storytelling capabilities and greatly enhanced their experience in the course.’ – Clare Richardson, Lecturer in Journalism and student podcast project lead
WHAT WERE THE BENEFITS AND IMPACTS?
▶ Student engagement
▶ Career advancement
▶ Communication skill development
▶ Inspiring creativity
▶ Creating cross-disciplinary connections
Compiled by: Ellie Michaelides, Science Gallery Melbourne in 2019
Activity date: 2019