Let's leave this issue with a 3D mark!

It's almost the end of the month, which means that we will soon be switching over to a new issue of Brainy Girls.  I've really had fun with the art and literature theme, even if it was almost completely art (sorry, literature!).  What did you think?  I hope that you found something of interest, since I know that Brainy Girls are diverse people fascinated by many types of things!  And what will the next issue be about?  You'll just have to wait and see!

But wait - I have one more article for you before we leave our art and literature issue behind.  I've been hearing a lot about 3D printing lately, whether it's in art, product prototyping, or the medical field.  You're probably thinking "3D printing?  How the heck does that work???"  Well, if you head on over to the articles page, I'll show you how.  It's pretty incredible - just imagine the possibilities!

What would you print if you had a 3D printer at hand?  What would you use this tool for?  Let me know in the comments below!

Darlene Schaper Interview, Part Two!

Guess who has two thumbs and figured out how to use video editing software this weekend?  This girl!!!  I finally sat down to edit the video footage that we took of Darlene during her interview, and I think it turned out pretty good, seeing as how I've never edited a single second of video before.  This video interview describes Darlene's art - her subject matter, her inspiration, and process.  Darlene discusses her use of items gathered from the Goodwill bins as a way of recycling and identifying the waste problems of our society.  You'll also get to see Nefertiti and Bigfoot!  If you missed it, you can read part one of Darlene's interview on the Work It page here at Brainy Girls - she discusses her career as an artist and gives some good advice for those wanting to pursue a career or studies in art.  I'm very happy that Darlene took the time to talk with us about her art, which has some incredible messages about the state of our world today: our waste production, the relationship between our ecological footprint and animals, and the benefits of recycling.  Thanks so much, Darlene!  Keep us posted on what you're up to in the future!

Art and Science Intersect How?

First, apologies for the lapse in posts.  I've been away on vacation, enjoying some rare sun for those of us who live in the Pacific Northwest.  But I'm back, and I've been thinking a lot about this issue's theme, art and literature.

I was thinking about how art and science are alike, and how they are different.  I've made a mental list, and almost every time I think "well, science is ___________", I almost immediately think "well, so is art".  Finding the differences between art and science is more difficult than you might think!  The biggest similarity, though, I think is captured in this picture:

...because science and art both start with wonder, a question, a need to find or provide an answer.  When you ask a question in science, you form hypotheses and ways to test them using the scientific method.  When you ask a question through art, you find answers in paintings, sculpture, songs, literature, dance...and they all follow a process of using creativity to test and choose a path towards answering the original question.

How do you ask and answer your questions?  Are you a scientist or an artist or both?  How do both science and art infiltrate your life, in ways that you might not even think about at first?  How does your brain separate logic and emotion, and how does each fuel science and art?

I know, I'm getting philosophical for a Saturday morning.  Just thinking, though, and I'm curious to read your musings in a comment below.  Yes, I'm talking to you!