The ArtScience® Program
Status Report
(December 3, 2001)

Goal: Realizing human potential through Metaphorming® and the 5D Symbolic Modeling™.

Objective: Refine and expand The ArtScience Program

The ArtScience Program continues to influence teacher effectiveness by developing
their understanding of the application of creativity and innovative thinking in the classroom. Teachers are introduced to a methodology called "Metaphorming" to guide learners in exploring the natural connections and relationships among diverse subjects and fields of knowledge that comprise the content of the National Standards: from art to zoology. Teachers learn to use the 5D Symbolic Modeling process to teach curricular content. Students then build their own 5D Symbolic Models, which serve as catalysts for creative problem solving and collaborative learning. Our research and practices show how students retain and apply disciplinary knowledge and imagination, as they make the information they're learning more personally meaningful, relevant and purposeful.

Teachers attend The ArtScience Program Summer Workshop for six four-hour days.
They also meet monthly throughout the school year to discuss their strategies in cultivating creativity in their students, and in fostering integrative thinking. They have this opportunity to network with other teachers, sharing their personal insights, while developing their own teaching practices. During the months of November and April all teachers meet together on Saturday mornings. They build symbolic models focused on curricular content, "unpack" (analyze, explain and interpret) these multi-dimensional constructions, which includes discussing the classroom applications. These larger meetings are beneficial because they provide teachers from different settings to compare, contrast, and commiserate with one another. Teacher surveys indicate that they are learning a great deal and appreciate the interaction and knowledge sharing.

The other six months the teachers from Cherry Creek Schools meet as a group and the teachers from Denver Public Schools and Englewood Schools meet as a group. These smaller meetings are scheduled for teacher convenience and provide an atmosphere
where professional respect and sharing prevail.

The overview of numbers of ArtScience teachers and of students who are benefiting
from participation in this Program can be attained from Pam Jensen, director of The ArtScience Program.

A third Summer ArtScience Workshop was added to the schedule. The Workshop was designed for the experienced ArtScience Teachers. Teachers received additional training and were given time to develop new units. Some of the units have the possibility of being expanded and evaluated. Units on grammar, poetry, multicultural literature, India, environmental studies, counseling for college selection are some of the topics.

The experienced teachers are also encouraged to attend the monthly meetings. This has proven to be extremely productive. Just a few experienced teachers can add so much more meaning and depth to the conversation. The experienced teachers are taking on the roles as mentors and coaches for the new teachers, which will help as we develop master teachers.

The MOA has also provided specific workshops for the experienced ArtScience teachers.
Teachers and artists worked in collaboration to design and implement the classes. Attendance ranged from 6 to 12 and we are looking forward to expanding this component in the future. The teachers have requested that opportunities be provided to allow them to develop their specific skills and creativity in the arts.

Teachers from Denver and Englewood come to MOA monthly for the ArtScience meetings and are becoming acquainted with our resources and programming options.
There are many opportunities for teachers and students that will be expanded as we market the possibilities of learning and understanding by using connections and the language of the arts.

The teachers continue to value the time spent with Dr. Todd Siler. He provides inspiration, encouragement, and continues to enhance understanding of the underlying concepts of ArtScience. Teachers report that ArtScience is a very liberating and eye-opening experience. It allows teachers to validate their own intelligence and creativity
It provides them with the mechanism to make learning fun and meaningful.

During the November meeting, teachers were asked to write an example of how students have reacted to ArtScience. The following are some examples (there are many others available upon request):

"Children love to build and to make. They become engaged in their learning when they create. As they create, they continually formulate concepts; sometimes their concepts grow and expand into new ideas. I've had some students say that they did not like homework, but if it was something like the 5-D Modeling (Metaphorming), they did like it, because it was fun!"
Kae Pilate, Thunder Ridge Middle School

"I've been using ArtScience with my third graders this year to illustrate the six traits of writing. (The writing process is a major focus for third grade this year because the students will be tested on writing for the CSAP for the first time.) We've used 5D symbolic modeling to illustrate word choice, voice and organization so far. What I've liked most about the modeling is that it has given me some insight into the developmental level of each student, as well as their understanding on each trait of writing. I think it's also beneficial because it helps the students who can't verbalize their ideas have the chance to construct something concrete to express their thoughts. I think the kids have been getting a lot out of it because they are able to demonstrate their knowledge of the writing process in another format."
Mark Reidel, Fox Hollow Elementary

"One of the children in my classroom has made a leap in confidence, academic achievement and willingness to learn since making his individual personal model and presenting to his classmates. Previously, this child did very little work, wandered around the classroom and made many visits to the bathroom to avoid work. After sharing his model with the class, he has become a leader. He is more engaged in learning, anxious to share his learning with others and is more confident in his academic abilities. Sharing who he is on a personal level seemed to give him the necessary connection needs to become involved in the classroom."
Toni Philips, Denison Montessori School

Additional Outreach

Dr. Todd Siler directed an introduction to The ArtScience Workshop for twenty-five Gifted and Talented Resource Teachers in Littleton Public Schools in August. During the months of September through December The ArtScience Program is providing additional sessions for in-depth exploration and application of the metaphorming and 5D Symbolic Model building strategies. This is significant because it involves the Program in another district and should result in added awareness of MOA Educational Programs.

Emphasis for Goal Management 2002

· Continue to refine and expand The ArtScience Program
· Continue to maintain a support network for all of the ArtScience teachers
· Design and implement Summer Workshop 2002
· Continue to make connections between the ArtScience teachers and administrators and MOA education programs and resources
· Collaborate with MOA education programs to insure that ArtScience strategies are imbedded in philosophy and content
· Administer The Evaluation Design and expand scope of analysis
· Assist in researching and securing grants for ArtScience teacher training
· Continue to develop master teachers to become ArtScience trainers

Mrs. Pam Jensen, Director
The ArtScience Program
Museum of Outdoor Arts
1000 Englewood Parkway, #2-230
Englewood, Colorado 80110
E-mail: pamjen@msn.com