2013 Lab Report

Introduction: Beakerhead is a new Calgary festival where the intersections between the arts and sciences are explored through numurous events and exhibitions.  More information can be found at: http://beakerhead.org/.  Willow Park School for Arts-Centred Learning is a place where students between grades five and nine learn with and through the arts.  More information can be learnt at: http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b331/.

Problem: What will be the outcomes when the Willow Park Beakerhead Observation Team collects findings about Calgary's exciting new festival of arts and sciences?

Hypothesis: The various student documents created will serve as inspirations for the imagination.

Equipment:
3 video cameras
4 iPhones
6 cameras
3 sketchbooks
5 notebooks
1 school bus
20 students
2 teachers
1 education assistant
1 parent volunteer/photography specialist

Procedure:
1. 9:30 am Board bus from Willow Park.
2. 10:00 am - 11:00 am - Visit the Sustainoval - the first ever carnival running 100% on renewable resources including solar energy, biofuels and hydropower.
3. 11:15 - am - noon - Attend the Beakerhead Opening Ceremonies hosted by Jay Ingram of The Daily Planet and featuring a Series of Unexpected Events.
4. 12:30 pm - 1:15 pm - visit the Raygun Gothic Rocketship information centre.
5. 1:30 pm return the Willow Park School to compile our findings.

Manipulated Variable: The different student groups.
Responding Variable: The various videos, sketches and presentations created.
Controlled Variables:  All students involved attended the Sustainival (a green carnival), the Beakerhead Opening Ceremonies and the Raygun Gothic Rocketship information site.

Observations

Beakerhead Video by Claire M., Rachel D., Jessie B. and Shauna K.

Science and Art Video by Sarah H. and Hanji B.

A Fusion of Art and Science by Rowan L.

Beakerhead Powerpoint Vid by Danica L. and Amanda D.

Beakerhead Video by Nicole W. and Emma T.

The Most Amazing Convergence by Katelyn M. and Rachel D.

Beakerhead by Ethan M. and Wyatt S. 

Beakerhead Picture Presentation by Chantal O. and Hannah L.

Festival of Engineering, Arts and Science by Megan B.

The Ride of Science Video by Jess N. and Zooey D.

Analysis

100% of the sketches, photos, videos, articles and presentations demonstrated student enthusiasm  for creative learning of the arts and sciences.

Sources of Error

Teachers and students were clearly exhausted by the end of the day and findings may be skewed due to possible heatstroke (the temperature was about 30 degrees celsius). 

Conclusion

Our hypothesis was supported as the documents created all serve as inspirations for the imagination.  Further investigations may be conducted by more students visiting Beakerhead over the weekend. For more information, please visit: http://beakerhead.org/.