Using glaze chemistry as an example of the integration of art and science

CHED 1549

Jeffrey N Woodford, jeff.woodford@eou.edu, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Eastern Oregon University, One University Boulevard, La Grande, OR 97850-2899 and Peter C. Johnson, pjohnson@eou.edu, Department of Art, Eastern Oregon University, One University Boulevard, La Grande, OR 97850-2899.
This talk will discuss our experiences in teaching an interdisciplinary class incorporating chemistry and art. In this class examining ceramic glaze chemistry, students took an empirical approach to understanding the constituents of a glaze and their functions. The empirical results were then rationalized in terms of molecular interactions taking place during the firing process. This class had four main objectives: (1) demonstrating the relationship between science and other disciplines, specifically art; (2) analyzing the components of a ceramic glaze and determining their individual function; (3) applying directly the scientific method; and (4) illustrating chemical concepts through glaze chemistry, such as spectrophotometry, redox chemistry and its implications.
 

Using the Arts to Teach Chemistry
1:30 PM-3:30 PM, Wednesday, April 9, 2008 Hilton New Orleans Riverside -- HEC A, Oral

Division of Chemical Education

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008