If art and design can improve technology, then it can be used to improve math and science outcomes in schools, according to John Maeda, president of the Rhode Island School of Design.
Speaking at a gathering of parents, educators, and former students now employed in creative capacities at Print companies in Andover, Maeda presented his plans to integrate design into school science programming to help foster creative thinking in students.
“You don’t have innovation without creative thinking, and that’s a skill that comes from the art department,” said Meghan Reilly Michaud, an art teacher at Andover High School, who invited Maeda to speak at the Memorial Building on the Doherty Middle School campus. Public schools in Andover are reviewing the concept through an arts-focused task force. Adding elements of art and design to public school curriculums would help deliver the sometimes complex subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in a 21st Century context.
A clear example of design changing how people feel about technology and how it can provide positive outcomes is the success of portable music players, Maeda explained during his visit. Original mp3 players were clumsy and visually unattractive until the Apple iPod burst on the scene, with not only incredible technology, but with a sleek, beautiful design – revolutionizing the way people listen to music. Maeda believes that art and design can make learning about technology, ergo, mathematics, more approachable and easy to digest for students.
Michaud, herself a former student of Maeda’s, said the professor has been touring Massachusetts explaining his program.
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