Today@Dal

For 10 years now, the Science as Art calendar has been a celebration of community art, as well as a successful fundraiser for the Faculty of Science's Student Experience Fund.

The calendar, produced by the Faculty of Science, offers the chance for students, faculty staff and alumni to submit their science-inspired art — from photography to drawings to paintings. The pieces are chosen by a community vote, which takes place this Wednesday.

The calendar not only features the winning pieces but highlights student, faculty and alumni contributions to both Dal and the world of science.

"This year I submitted a micrograph of an aquatic plant found in Madagascar that has nearly transparent leaves that are excellent for live cell imaging," explains student Adrian Dauphinee. "I chose it because it shows plant cell walls, chloroplasts and nuclei in great detail."

Chemistry Professor Mary Anne White has submitted a photo of a hummingbird gathering nectar from a sunflower. Last year, her photo of an ice formation was chosen for the calendar's November page.

"In research, it's important to pay attention to details," she says. "As they say, many great discoveries arose from noting something odd. I don't consider myself to be an artist, but do try to notice the world around me. And I like to use a camera to capture and share some of those images."

Supporting experiential learning

Over the past five years alone, the calendar has raised nearly $60,000 for the Science Student Experience Fund, which supports hands-on and experiential learning opportunities outside the classroom.

Drop by and see this year's submitted pieces and vote for your favourites this Wednesday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the third-floor foyer of the Life Sciences Centre.

Link: Facebook event

There will also be a Science as Art reception from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, an opportunity to mingle with many of the artists as well as other Dal Science community members while enjoying light refreshments. If you're interested in attending the reception, please e-mail Regis.Dudley@Dal.ca.

Learn more about the calendar and view previous years' submitted images at the Faculty of Science website.