Author(s):
The IUSE grant, Investigating the Impact of Arts on Student Learning by Introducing Glass Science in the Materials Engineering Curriculum, created a novel and unique academic program, Art + Engineering (A+E), with curricular and co-curricular components. The curricular aspect of the A+E program integrates art concepts into an undergraduate Metallurgical Engineering program at South Dakota Mines. An Artist-In-Residence (AIR) has been embedded within A+E to identify strategic opportunities where art and engineering intersect within the curriculum. The AIR also engages with the newly founded student-led STEAM Club (co-curricular component). With the advent of the A+E program, space for a new pottery and glassblowing studio were created. The two new studio spaces are completely novel and unique to the South Dakota Mines campus and are utilized year-round for curricular, co-curricular, and outreach activities. The local community (artisans, economic development staff, K-12 educators and students etc.) has been engaged and are active participants in the A+E program. External assessment of the A+E program has been conducted and includes a variety of assessment tools: Herrmann Brain Dominance Inventory, Critical Thinking Assessment Test, Small Group Instructional Diagnosis, student focus groups and participant surveys.
