Design Dance Teaches Movement of the Body and the Stars with Adler Astronomers.
Chicago, April 25 2016 -- Design Dance is a community of teaching artists that bring dance education to over 1,300 students in classrooms and community centers across Chicago. We're changing the game in arts education by integrated dance with literacy and science.
This summer, we're piloting "Dance Among the Stars": a completely innovative new summer camp with Prismatic and the support of the Adler Planetarium. Students ages 7-10 will learn about movement--of their bodies and of the stars. We're bringing in astronomers from the Adler Planetarium to speak with students and show them what real astronomers do and think about on a daily basis.
"We learn by doing," says Adler astronomer, Dr. Grace Wolf-Chase. "In science, learning typically begins with observing the world or universe around us, but this summer, kids will experience astronomy through motion by becoming the very concepts and 'stuff' of the cosmos!"
Though the camp is open to boys and girls, we're excited about exposing our campers to female astronomers. Women currently only make up about 15% of engineers and 30% of physical scientists according to the National Science Foundation. For physicists and astronomers specifically, that number is closer to 12%.
The goal here is to create an engaging experience with science subjects, like astronomy, through a creative and physical medium. Dance allows students to take up space and gain self-awareness of their body and its relation to others.
Dancing Among the Stars will take place July 25-29th and culminates with a performance at the Adler Planetarium.
About Design Dance: Design Dance is a community of over 40 teaching artists that work in classrooms and community centers around Chicago to make every space a space for dance. Our mission is to cultivate courage, connection, and self-awareness in every student. Founded by Debra Giunta in 2008, Design Dance has grown to over 100 classes a week serving more than 1,300 students in the Chicagoland area a year. Students practice an array of styles including ballet, modern, hip hop, breakdance, and cultural dance.
About Prismatic: Prismatic is a brand new nonprofit organization fostering confidence and resiliency by providing a creative catalyst to bridge the gap between common core curriculum and real-life application for all students, regardless of age or background.
About Adler Planetarium: The Adler Planetarium--America's First Planetarium--is more than a museum; it is a laboratory, a classroom, and a community exploring the Universe together. Each year, over 550,000 visitors experience the museum's interactive exhibitions, live planetarium shows, hands-on, minds-on STEM education programs, and world-class collections. Founded in 1930 by Chicago business leader Max Adler, the Adler Planetarium is a recognized leader in public engagement. The museum's scientists, historians, and educators inspire the next generation of explorers and invite you to explore space with us.