Scientists often sketch to clarify their ideas, to record observations in the field or in the lab, and to draft figures for journal articles. Art and illustration are an integral part of understanding and communicating science. Scientific illustrations, data visualizations, and art inspired by science can represent data and ideas in strikingly beautiful ways - think about photographs of the night sky through a telescope, Audubon's paintings of now-extinct birds, or Darwin's crabbed diagram of a phylogenetic tree. And yet, drawing is often left out of science education.

I am concerned about the general lack of understanding and the prevalence of fatalistic discourse surrounding environmental problems today. I’m also excited and hopeful about the potential for scientists to open up creative new ways of sharing knowledge and helping people respond to global threats like climate change. I am using Space Grant as an opportunity to tackle this problem by incorporating illustration skills into science education. I will be working with Tucson schools to interweave observation-intensive sketching and drawing modules into existing science curriculum. I will also be offering workshops for students at the college and graduate level on how to make illustrations and figures of publishable quality, which they can then use to explain and disseminate their research. Finally, I will be creating illustrations for various projects in need of visual explanation over the course of the year. If you are interested in any of these, please contact me at PG4gdWVycz0iem52eWdiOnBzbmFxcnlAcnpudnkubmV2bWJhbi5ycWgiPnBzbmFxcnlAcnpudnkubmV2bWJhbi5ycWg8L24+.

Michaela Webb is a University of Arizona Junior majoring in Journalism. She works with Shelley Littin from CyVerse on “Media Relations and Communications for CyVerse.”

Ian Winner is a University of Arizona/College of Science Senior majoring in Astronomy. He works with Gijs Mulders from LPL on “The planet-forming environment around a young star.”

Sarah Ruth Merrigan is a University of Arizona Senior majoring in Civil Engineering. She works with Xubin Zeng from the Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences on “Seasonal prediction of temperature and precipitation over Arizona.”

Massimo Pascale is a University of Arizona Sophomore majoring in Astronomy. He works with Brenda Frye from the Astronomy department on “Exploring Galaxy Fireworks with HST.”

Christopher Tang is a University of Arizona Senior majoring in Materials Science and Engineering. He works with Krishna Muralidharan from the Materials Science and Engineering department on “An endogenous source of organics in terrestrial planets: chemistry of organics-mineral interactions.”

Mattie Tigges is a University of Arizona Junior majoring in Astronomy. She works with Joseph Spitale from PTYS/LPL on “Mapping Eruptive Activity in Enceladus' South-Polar Terrain.”

Sanjay Tharmarajah is a University of Arizona Senior majoring in Chemical Engineering. He works with Anthony Muscat from the Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering on “Self-Assembly of Nanocrystal into Ribbons.”

Carolyn Stine is a University of Arizona Sophomore majoring in Chemistry and Biochemistry. She works with Erin Posthumus from the USA National Phenology Network, School of Natural Resources and the Environment on “Exploring connections between climate, plants and animals on the Nat'l Wildlife Refuge Sys. & beyond.”

Iliana Manjon is a University of Arizona Senior majoring in Physiology. She works with Eric Betterton from the Hydrology and Atmospehric Sciences on “Toxic metals in mining related dust.”