Turning Environmental Data Into Creative Expression
What happens when artists use data as a source of inspiration? This interactive project explores the connection between art, technology, and environmental issues through STEAM Education.
What is STEAM?
What Happens When Art Meets STEM?
S. Craig Watkins in “A Call-to-Action in STEAM Education” argues that the arts should be integrated with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEAM education encourages students to combine technical knowledge with creativity, critical thinking, and artistic expression.
https://www.arts.gov/impact/media-arts/arts-technology-scan/essays/call-action-steam-educationData On Environmental Issue: Global Temperature Change (2021-2025)
Source: Berkeley Earth – Global Temperature Report for 2025
Global Temperature Report for 2025
What do you notice?
Global temperatures varied from year to year, but the period from 2020-2025 remained warm. In the year of 2023, 2024, and 2025 were the three warmest years in Berkeley Earth’s instrumental record, with 2024 ranking first.
Turn Data Into Art
If you were an artist, how would you visually represent this change in global temperature?
Would you use color, shape, line, texture, or another visual element to communicate the data?
Example of Data Into Art on Berkeley Earth: Global Temperature Change Report
Reflect
How can data influence your artwork?
How does technology help you communicate new ideas?
What can art communicate that numbers alone cannot?