Tire Art: Environmental Education through Science, Visual and Language Arts

Abstract

This international project examined the use of an arts-integrated approach to teaching and learning 8th grade science and language art. It involved two arts faculty collaborating with classroom teachers in the US and South Korea. In the context of the "Tire Art project", students and teachers were guided through several 2D and 3D creative interactions emphasizing innovative uses for recycled car tires and bicycle wheels. In this paper, authors discuss the learning that happened through the arts, and the learning that happened (by teachers) of arts integration methods. It is to be noted that integration is not only about the arts. In fact, if teachers take advantage of this approach, they will discover more connections and bridges between various non-art subjects. When teachers are as affected by innovative approaches as the students, they often feel more confident and empowered in their professional competencies.