Why a cross-curricular, interdisciplinary approach to teaching colour is important
In this series of exercises, colour is studied within the context of STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math. As with the Eye-opener exercises, the STEAM colour exercises provide an experience-based approach that emphasizes looking and describing colour experiences for building foundational colour knowledge. Within the context of STEAM, we add the spirit of investigation and continue to encourage free play to stimulate creativity and critical thinking.
While some basic coverage of colour perception occurs in middle and high school science classes, the bulk of colour-related education –– from elementary through high school –– has focused on using coloured media in art classes, particularly within the context of mixing paints. But the phenomenon of colour plays an important role in so many areas of our lives, from the clothes we wear and the products we buy, to the environment we inhabit and the colourful digital images that surround us every day on our devices.
For these reasons, colour is an ideal umbrella topic to study across disciplines. 21st century colour education embraces a balanced, cross-curricular approach that weaves together knowledge and experiences from the arts and the sciences, and expands into other subject areas like psychology and the social sciences. Though each subject views the world through a specific lens, all these disciplines share important commonalities such as observing, documenting, experimenting, drawing conclusions, and solving problems.
By approaching colour from multiple perspectives and integrating experiences based on different ways of knowing, students gain opportunities to deepen and widen their knowledge base, enhance their critical thinking and expand their worldviews.
“Interdisciplinary instruction … helps students identify insights from a range of disciplines that contribute to an understanding of the issue under consideration, and ... develop the ability to integrate concepts and ideas from these disciplines into a broader conceptual framework of analysis.”
in: Why teach with an interdisciplinary approach?
To begin our STEAM series, we investigate light and the spectrum. We feel that an early exposure to scientific ideas and methodologies is part of a solid foundation to enhance colour knowledge.
