Arts Integration in an Undergraduate General Education Course to Improve Engagement in Bioengineering

Abstract

Rapid advancements in bioengineering call for broad public literacy to help individuals better understand the changes these technologies bring to our lives. However, making bioengineering concepts accessible and relevant, especially to non-science majors, is often challenging. To address this challenge, we designed a general education course aimed at demystifying bioengineering through an inclusive, interdisciplinary approach. Grounded in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), sociocultural learning frameworks, and inquiry-based learning, the course integrates artistic perspectives with scientific instruction to encourage creativity and critical thinking. Students explore core bioengineering concepts, ethical considerations, and societal impacts through a combination of art, hands-on making, and collaborative learning. We observed high engagement and interdisciplinary connections in the classroom and the practical experiences shared here highlight the potential for such an approach to enhance scientific literacy and appreciation of bioengineering’s role in society.