Nano+Bio+Art

About

A two week summer course including lecture, required screenings, lab visits, field trips and outside study, offered through UCLA’s Summer Institute. Open to high school students. This introductory studio / lab course explores the creative aspects of scientific research and innovation.

CNSI Building Hammer Museum

nanotubes

Objective

Students will gain a broad understanding of the impact of science on contemporary art and popular culture and focus on new sciences – bio and nanotechnology. Emphasis will be on development of proposals and ideas that could serve as prototypes for either an art project or a scientific research study.

Assignments

In addition to required lab time, lectures and discussions (80 hours), field trips (40 hours), students will be required to write online daily about their experiences. They are asked to specifically search for resources and have links and images as part of their online writing. These writings will be responding to the lecture and the daily encounter with a particular science topic and also include links and images from research on the web. Minimum number of words: 250, minimum links: 10, minimum images: 3

Grading

Midterm and finals will be in the form of a powerpoint presentation that will also be uploaded to the class website. Blogs 30%, Attendance 20%, Midterm 20%, Final 30%. P/NP grading.

Background

With the new century in its’ first decade, new sciences have emerged with bio and nanotechnology being at the helm of visionary futuristic science. This science is interdisciplinary at its core and requires an entirely new way of thinking and introduction of new methodologies. Rarely do young scientists have an opportunity to be visionary to this degree and having active relationships with artists can prove more than beneficial.

zerowave

Ferrofluid

The future of new discoveries is determined not just by scientific knowledge but by the application of creative thought and imagination. This is the most crucial determining factor in creating new technologies. The thought process is unlike engineering that traditionally relies on predefined theories and models and which is often based on a very reductionism in understanding of structures. Biological structures by their nature tend to be complex and interconnected where the interconnection and structure on different scales interplay to create spectacular new properties.

The advantage of an artistic approach to new science lies in their ability to approach problems from a more holistic and general approach, to conceive of ways to deal with complexity in ways that don’t rely on the usual tried and tested methodology of the scientist or engineer and which, when combined with science, provide a powerful new direction for invention and creation.

The approach of backward chaining or horizon mission methodology where we go backwards from a general problem is much more appropriate for nanotechnology and it is there that science and art combine in an ideal fashion.

The program runs in parallel to the Design | Media Arts Summer Institute and the NanoCER program for in-residence undergraduate science students. Students will be interacting with both programs through the Summer sessions program. The D|MA program will expose the young scientists to the possibilities of digital media and the NanoCer program will allow them entrance into the most cutting edge scientific labs on campus.

Location

The course will take place on the south side of campus in the newly built California Nanosystems Institute (CNSI). It will run parallel to the Design | Media Arts Summer Institute and the NanoCER program for in-resident undergraduate science students. Students will interact with both programs through the Summer Sessions program. Click here to view a map of the campus.

The Design | Media Arts program will expose young scientists to the possibilities of digital media and the NanoCer program will allow them access to the most cutting-edge scientific labs on campus.

Click here to learn more about the UCLA Design | Media Arts Department.

Click here to learn more about the UCLA Art | Science Center and Lab.

Transportation

General information about transportation to UCLA can be found on the Transportation Web site.

If you are staying in the residence halls and are flying in from out of town, you should plan to arrive at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) no earlier than 11:00am on the Sunday prior to the first day of instruction. Please avoid scheduling your flight to Long Beach and Burbank Airports. LAX is approximately 13 miles from UCLA, while Bob Hope Airport in Burbank is 21 miles away, and Long Beach/Daugherty Field Airport is 32 miles away.

Housing check out is on Saturday by 11:00am. The approximate travel time to LAX on Saturday morning is 45 minutes. Please schedule your return flight reservations accordingly.

Airport Shuttles - One option to help you get from a local airport to the UCLA campus is Super Shuttle, a transportation van service. One-way fare to UCLA from LAX is about $25.00. You do not need to make reservations in advance. After arriving in Los Angeles and retrieving your luggage at the baggage claim area, proceed to the Super Shuttle sign located on the outer island under the overhead blue van stop. To return to the airport from UCLA via Super Shuttle, you will need to make a reservation by calling (310) 782-6600 or by visiting their website.

FlyAway Bus Service - The FlyAway Bus Service offers non-stop buses between UCLA and LAX. Click here for more information.

Taxis – Taxis are readily available at various pick up points labeled “Taxi” outside of the baggage claim area at all local airports. Taxis to UCLA from LAX generally cost about $35 each way. Note: if traveling to campus with another person, sharing a taxi is generally cheaper than taking an airport shuttle.

Click here to visit the City of Los Angeles’ official taxi information site. This site provides the names and phone numbers of licensed taxi companies servicing the UCLA area and local airports.

Summer UCLA Parking Information
On-campus parking is available by daily permit. Permits can be purchased at Parking Kiosks located at selected entrances to the UCLA campus.

Click here to access a link to all parking structures on campus.

For more information about transportation to UCLA, visit Transportation Services or call (310) 825-9871.

Directions

Driving Directions to UCLA from North or South via 405 (San Diego Freeway)

South Campus Entrance

Take the 405 Freeway (San Diego Freeway) to Wilshire Blvd. East
Travel east three blocks to Westwood Blvd.
Turn Left on Westwood Blvd.
Travel five blocks to Parking & Information Booth

North Campus Entrance

Take the 405 Freeway (San Diego Freeway) to Sunset Blvd. East
Take Sunset Blvd. to Hilgard Ave.
Turn right on Hilgard Ave.
Turn Right at the Wyton Street Entrance and proceed to the Parking & Information Kiosk

Coming from the East via the 10 Freeway (Santa Monica Freeway)

Take the 10 Freeway (Santa Monica Freeway) to the 405 Freeway (San Diego Freeway) North
Take the 405 (San Diego Freeway) to Wilshire Blvd. East
Travel east three blocks to Westwood Blvd.
Turn Left on Westwood Blvd.
Travel five blocks to Parking & Information Kiosk

Maps

Click here to view a downloadable map of the UCLA campus.

Click here to view an interactive campus map.

UCLA SCI|ART NanoLab