Engineers and Scientists, Unlock Your Inner Artist POSTED ON AUGUST 11, 2014 POSTED IN: ALL BLOG AUTHOR: MIKE HUTCHINSON It was recently brought to my attention (I feel late to the game) that “Art” was added last year to educational curricula focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), creating a sub-group called STEAM. This is fantastic news. As both an artist (guitarist) and a scientist (geology), I believe when you connect engineering and science with arts we have the potential to build an environment where innovation and creativity will flourish and problems can be tackled in ways not previously considered. I personally believe the artist is one of the most important individuals in our society along with teachers, scientists and engineers. Artists can inspire and they challenge our conventional, systematic way of thinking. We are all artistic, and triggering this part of our brain is important as we grow older and work with our clients to solve problems. There are real-world examples that prove innovators can learn from artists and that arts provide great lessons in leadership. Many of our greatest scientists and leaders were musicians and artists – Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, Prince Charles, Thomas Jefferson, Steve Martin, Neil Armstrong, Bill Clinton, Thomas Edison…the list goes on. Why should we discover art in our free time? Art and music are the ultimate form of communication. They have the ability to cross cultures, languages and geographic boundaries. Art opens up the mind to different realities, and these artistic perspectives challenge our conventional thinking to further promote creative thought. Additionally, visual and performing arts have been proven to exercise the brain in a way that defines us as a species. What is this art instinct and how does creativity happen in the human brain? How can we as engineers and scientists foster this creativity in ourselves? It does not happen by accident. We must exercise these parts of the brain to have it function on the highest level. I think we all agree that art was considered a fun thing when we were kids. How come many of us lose this when we become adults? So grab a paintbrush and a canvas, carve some clay, blow some glass, participate in a play or take some music lessons. Your creativity will be enhanced and you will provide benefits to society through your creativity. TAGGED TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE Post navigation PREVIOUS NEXT Explore More from GeoEngineers Recent Stories for You New US 21 Bridge is Vital Link to South Carolina Barrier Islands November 24, 2021 Alicia Sellers Becomes ASCE Nashville Secretary November 12, 2021 GEOSTRATA Features Unique Wings Over Washington Project October 13, 2021 Partnership with Downtown On The Go Lights Up Tacoma October 8, 2021 Port of Alaska Modernization Wins PDCA Project of the Year October 6, 2021 Categories ALL BLOG NEWS FEED VIDEOS Archives Archives SELECT MONTH NOVEMBER 2021 OCTOBER 2021 SEPTEMBER 2021 AUGUST 2021 JULY 2021 JUNE 2021 MAY 2021 APRIL 2021 MARCH 2021 FEBRUARY 2021 JANUARY 2021 DECEMBER 2020 NOVEMBER 2020 OCTOBER 2020 SEPTEMBER 2020 AUGUST 2020 JULY 2020 JUNE 2020 MAY 2020 APRIL 2020 JANUARY 2020 DECEMBER 2019 OCTOBER 2019 SEPTEMBER 2019 JULY 2019 JUNE 2019 MAY 2019 APRIL 2019 MARCH 2019 FEBRUARY 2019 JANUARY 2019 DECEMBER 2018 NOVEMBER 2018 OCTOBER 2018 SEPTEMBER 2018 AUGUST 2018 JUNE 2018 MAY 2018 APRIL 2018 MARCH 2018 FEBRUARY 2018 JANUARY 2018 DECEMBER 2017 AUGUST 2017 MAY 2017 APRIL 2017 MARCH 2017 JANUARY 2017 DECEMBER 2016 NOVEMBER 2016 SEPTEMBER 2016 AUGUST 2016 JUNE 2016 MAY 2016 APRIL 2016 MARCH 2016 FEBRUARY 2016 JANUARY 2016 DECEMBER 2015 NOVEMBER 2015 OCTOBER 2015 SEPTEMBER 2015 AUGUST 2015 JUNE 2015 MAY 2015 APRIL 2015 FEBRUARY 2015 JANUARY 2015 NOVEMBER 2014 OCTOBER 2014 AUGUST 2014 JULY 2014 JUNE 2014 MAY 2014 APRIL 2014 MARCH 2014 FEBRUARY 2014 JANUARY 2014 DECEMBER 2013 NOVEMBER 2013 OCTOBER 2013 SEPTEMBER 2013 AUGUST 2013 JULY 2013 JUNE 2013 MAY 2013 APRIL 2013 MARCH 2013 FEBRUARY 2013 JANUARY 2013 DECEMBER 2012 NOVEMBER 2012 OCTOBER 2012 SEPTEMBER 2012 AUGUST 2012 JULY 2012 JUNE 2012 MAY 2012 APRIL 2012 MARCH 2012 FEBRUARY 2012 JANUARY 2012 NOVEMBER 2011 AUGUST 2011 JULY 2011 JUNE 2011 MAY 2011 APRIL 2011 MARCH 2011 FEBRUARY 2011 JANUARY 2011 NOVEMBER 2010 Tags COMMUNITY SAFETY SUSTAINABILITY TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE Questions? We have answers. ASK US LEGAL/PRIVACY POLICY TEAM WITH US STAFF LOGIN COMPANY CAREERS CURIOUS? CONTACT PRACTICE AREAS EXPERTISE Copyright © 2021 GeoEngineers. All Rights Reserved. - Site by CMA