Kelly E Marra
Art Education & STEAM
I believe the fine arts are the connective tissue of a rigorous education. My mission is to serve as a force multiplier for the academic faculty - transforming the studio into a space where the abstract concepts students are mastering across disciplines become tangible through creative inquiry, sparking the “Aha!” moments that turn information into true understanding and ignite a lifelong joy for the creative process.
Curriculum Case Study
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Innovation & Impressionism
Unit Theme: Pigment & Power: The Industrial Shift
This unit will dive deep into the connection between the industrial revolution and the birth of the impressionist movement. Learners will explore how metallurgical innovations like the metal paint tube brought artists out of their studios into painting “En Plein Air” and the chemistry connection that sparked a dramatic increase in the amount of colors that were available to artists in the 19th century. Studying how the French railway system allowed artists to access new subject matter and how light became a main character with the “wet on wet” technique will give learners a greater understanding of the art and history connection.
Design Framework & Methodology
My curriculum development is born from over two decades of studio practice combined with a Master of Science in Learning Technologies and is grounded in Instructional Systems Design (ISD) and Constructivist pedagogy. I turn the studio into a research and development operation of sorts. My signature instructional framework incorporates:
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The Successive Approximation Model (SAM) - developed by Dr. Michael Allen, which focuses on a cycle of preparation, designing and developing. The first attempt is not expected to be perfect. Each iteration is a stepping stone and opportunity to learn.
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A Spiral Curriculum architecture - developed by Jerome Bruner, which recognizes a deeper understanding at the end of a journey that includes building, revisiting and challenging over a period of time.
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STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) - Georgette Yakman added liberal arts and design to the existing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) - most often attributed to Judith Ramaley, which encourages the interdisciplinary approach, over teaching subjects in isolation, to cultivate the skills needed to excel in these career fields.
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Low Floor, High Ceiling (LFHC) approach - developed by Dr. Jo Boaler, where all learners can access the concepts, but the sky is the limit after content mastery.
If you are looking for an art educator to bring this interdisciplinary approach to your rigorous academic environment, I would welcome a conversation.
