Art of Science Learning - First Transportation Workshop

Saturday, the Art of Science Learning Fellows took a field trip into Boston via the commuter rail (train). We did a workshop on the train to get us to think about transportation and how it impacts us (personally, community, city, region).

From the train station, our destination was a short walk to the BSA (Boston Society of Architects) Space to view the exhibit, Rights of Way: Mobility and the City. The exhibit shows how cities are shaped by the people who move through it. We didn't have much time to see the exhibit as we had to move onto the next assignment.

We were sorted into groups and picked a partner. We were given a map and our assignment was to make our way on foot to a building across town. On the way we were to make observations of getting around the city. We were supposed to make drawings to answer questions: what were the difficulties, who had the most difficult time, what was something that brought delight, what was the easiest way to move about the city, what was a moment of discomfort. The discomfort part was easy because it was raining. My partner and I decided to take photographs instead of trying to draw pictures in the rain.

We were told we could follow the map or find our own way as long as we arrived at the next venue in 15 minutes. And we were off, like some sort of reality show as we made our observations and way through the city to Space with a Soul. While we ate our brown bag lunches, we listened to a presentation by Siqi Zhu, an Urban Planner at Utile.

After lunch, the art part of the workshop began. It's not a typical brain-storming session where one or two individuals usually lead a group discussion. Instead, brain-storming involves sculpting ideas with clay, drawing, making rhythmic "music" or "dance" or some other art-related activity. Our assignment was to write a poem about transportation and to share it with our group.