David Lipson collaborated with a middle-school teacher and artist, Jason Rogalski, in an art-science educational and public outreach activity called Root Rhapsody. First, Jason helped describe the root system of San Diego’s dominant native shrub, Artemisia californica.
We then set up a hydroponic growth experiment in Rogalski’s classroom to demonstrate the impact of limiting nutrients.
The roots were then cast in clear resin, creating sculptures.
Students also created monochromatic paintings depicting a sample from the experiment. The sculptures and paintings were displayed at an event at the San Diego Public Library, along with another of Jason’s educational walk-in paintings, “Photosynthesis Fiesta.”
