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Distance Learning: Chemistry in Art
I think the kids felt lucky to be able to spend an hour with a real 'scientist.' It was refreshing to see our efforts from July seeming to be effective in a real classroom setting.
Jeffrey Bracken, Teacher
The Cleveland Museum of Art is currently field-testing a problem-based learning class taught by the museum's Chief Conservator, Bruce Christman. Christman instructs on camera using lessons designed by high school chemistry teachers. Each distance learning session focuses on a real-life conservation problem related to experiments conducted by high school students in their own classrooms.
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| Students participating in class |
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In this Distance Learning program, called Chemistry in Art, students conduct experiments in their schools and then participate in a videoconference originating from the CMA's conservation labs in which Bruce Christman discusses similar principles he and his staff use in treating and studying works of art.
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There are four lessons in the series.
Examining the Authenticity of Museum Objects: Students test metal density and explore properties of matter.
Extending the Senses: Using the electromagnetic spectrum to probe works of Art, students investigate the use of ultraviolet as well as X-ray diffraction in probing works of art.
Restoring Works of Art: Chemistry to the Rescue: Students simulate cleaning delicate objects as they study properties of various solvents and how they react with different paints and varnishes.
Paper Chemistry and Conservation: Students investigate paper chemistry and conservation and are introduced to the uses of chemical processes in printmaking.
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High school teachers from around the state of Ohio applied to be a part of the project. Four were chosen:
Jeffrey Bracken Westerville North High School (Westerville, Ohio)
Shirley Newton Westerville North High School (Westerville, Ohio)
Manuel Mendoza Lincoln West High School (Cleveland, Ohio)
Cynthia Roepcke Pickerington High School (Pickerington, Ohio)
In preparation for the project the selected teachers spent three intensive days at the Cleveland Museum of Art seeing the collections, visiting with staff, observing the conservation labs, and helping to define program parameters.
After the field-testing is complete the CMA expects to offer these lessons as a regular feature of the museum's Distance Learning program under the coordination of Dale Hilton (hilton@cma-oh.org).
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Ask the Conservator
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