A R O U N D C A M P U S
Cross-Curricular Integration in Art and Science
Art and Science Among the Leaves
The changing colors of leaves in fall may set a boy’s mind to wondering. What was green yesterday turns
yellow, red, golden. Is it magic, or is it science?
To find out, first graders, accompanied by their art, pottery, and science teachers, explored Central Park’s rich trove of leaves and
trees, as they learned about chlorophyll’s role in turning leaves green, and in masking a leaf’s true hues until autumn’s arrival.
They gathered samples of the leaves and used a leaf identifier sheet to determine their type. At the same time, art class boys
created sculptures from the natural materials they uncovered in the park. Back in the art studio, the boys applied their learning
about lines, shapes, and color to draw leaves. In pottery, they used the leaves they collected to create beautiful leaf plates and
bowls; and in the science lab, they experimented with chromatography as they continued to discuss and identify the various
types of leaves, change of seasons, and the living creatures that they had uncovered during their Central Park exploration.
The boys learned so much in this inter-curricular activity, as they explored, discovered, and excitedly shared their finds and
thoughts with each other and their teachers.
36 • Saint David’s Magazine