"Overgrown"
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Provided by: Jill Pelto Gallery|Published on: April 27, 2021
ArtworkScientist Reviewed
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- Jill Pelto incorporates graphs into visual art in an elegant way, blending the meaning and relevance of the data into an artistic representation that expands the impact of the data.
- "Overgrown" uses graphs of predicted temperature rise as a visual break to demonstrate the impact of climate change on native plant species in Maine, including the changes in their abundance and the new plant species that will move in with rising temperatures.
Subjects: Biology, Visual and Performing Arts
Authors: Jill Pelto Gallery
Region: North America, USA - Northeast, United States, Maine
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- "Overgrown" illustrates the beauty of the plants that will be affected by temperature rise and a visual representation of habitat loss.
- Pelto showcases alternative ways of using data to make a point that is instantly relatable to a broad spectrum of students that may not otherwise relate to graphed data.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students need to understand how graphs represent data and how to read a graph.
Differentiation
- Art classes can use this as an example of line in art, botanical illustration, and meaning through composition.
- Math classes can use this as an example of the relevance of data and mathematics in varying subjects.
- Science classes will be able to use this as a launch point or hook for discussing how temperature affects plant communities and ecosystems.
- Other similar resources include the Sea Walls art pieces, this activity, and this video.
The resource underscores climate projections and its influence to the ecological system in Maine. Students can explore this resource to understand the correlation of climate change to species loss and migration. This resource is suitable and recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
Jill Pelto
Jill Pelto is an artist and scientist whose work focuses on communicating human-environment connections. She incorporates scientific research and data directly into her watercolor paintings — from local trends to global changes. Jill’s artwork was featured on the cover of TIME Magazine in July 2020 and has inspired online features in Smithsonian and PBS News Hour. Jill has created a science-art activity based on this idea and has worked with K-12 students across the U.S. and beyond. By pairing graphical information with visual imagery, Jill hopes students can learn about and connect to climate change topics (good, bad, and in-between) in ways that educate and are emotionally relevant. This data-art activity is flexible and allows students to make their own graph art to share topics they care about.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
