Cultivating confidence and connecting curriculum: Exploring an integrated approach to science and art

While science and art are often taught as entirely separate subjects, there are numerous historical and contemporary connections between these two fields of study. What will happen when the intersections between science and art are encouraged through teaching an integrated unit in an elementary school context? This research, conducted within a Grade 6/7 classroom context, explores how a decompartmentalized approach to science and art positively impacted confidence and enhanced student engagement. This mixed-methods study utilized a variety of tools to reflect student learning and insights including surveys, directed drawing activities, and class discussions with a focus on limiting barriers (e.g. written output) that could have prevented students from authentically sharing their ideas and experiences.