Who we are

Founded in 1937 by long-time faculty member Edna Lawrence [RISD ‘20], Rhode Island School of Design’s Nature Lab inspires countless art and design projects throughout the college and beyond. Its hands-on natural history collection, aquaria, micro-imaging and GIS labs within the studio environment offer the opportunity to examine and explore the patterns, structures and interactions of design in nature.

What we offer

• Expertise on the development of STEAM lessons that are relevant to individual school/classroom needs.
• Extensive life science specimen collection for use in hands-on, object-based curriculum.
• RISD/Brown STEAM Club whose undergraduate and graduate student members are focused on STEAM exploration and learning activities.
• A microscopy room with 20 dissecting stereoscopes, 12 compound scopes and specimens from all taxonomic kingdoms of life.
• High-quality stereo and compound microscopes equipped with digital cameras capable of full-color, high-resolution imaging and the ability to capture fluorescent images. A Scanning Electron Microscope for research purpose (vs. individual students K-12)

Key opportunities

The Nature Lab is currently exploring the role of studio-based methodologies within the context of science research. We are interested in collaborating with science and art|design educators to develop and document exemplary case studies and curriculum that clearly demonstrate transdisciplinary learning. Some collaboration possibilities are:

• Bring students to the Nature Lab to test curriculum currently in development stage. Make use of specimen and microscopy resources.
• Co-planning a science + art field trip at various EPSCoR educational resource centers.
• Use Nature Lab/RISD expertise to add studio-based practices to existing natural science field trips.
• Invite Nature Lab into your classroom to work on fundamental principles common to both artists and scientists.
• Invite Nature Lab representatives to present on the many ways of incorporating the study of nature into an artistic practice.

Contacts

Melita Morales: EPSCOR|STEAM Engagement and Communication Coordinator. Contact point for K-12 schools interested in bringing students to the Nature Lab and/or research on STEAM education pedagogy. Email mmorales@risd.edu

Jennifer Bissonnette: Biological Programs Designer, Edna Lawrence Nature Lab. Developing college-level Biodesign educational programming.  Systematizing and maintaining the aquaria, microscopy, camera, and GIS resources.

Neal Overstrom: Director, Edna Lawrence Nature Lab. Focus on promoting Nature Lab resources as a crucial context for exploring, interpreting, and sharing the essential human-nature connection, and as form and function design inspiration.