Cavitation sticks, exploding glass, Tesla coils… not what typically comes to mind when discussing fine art. A group of Roger Williams engineering and computer science students proved, however, that even the most complex scientific research subjects can double as great photographic content.
The students’ photographs were produced via Engineering Design, a senior-level course taught by School of Engineering Professor Linda Riley. The two-semester course drives home the point that, ultimately, engineers are problem solvers.
“My students start with the toolbox of concepts they’ve mastered—the math/science/technical skills—and approach an open-ended design experiment,” Professor Riley says. “It takes students out of their comfort zone and teaches them to creatively apply those nuts-and-bolts skills.”
And key to training a good engineer, Professor Riley says, is teaching students how to effectively communicate highly technical design concepts to a variety of audiences. One way to illustrate a concept, of course, is visually, so she encourages her design students to integrate art with their science by presenting the experiments via an artistic medium.
When Professor Riley heard about last October’s “Science & Technology in the Arts” benefit photo competition, she knew her engineering students’ artwork would make great entries. The contest, sponsored by Foresight Science & Technology of Providence, R.I., required that entries capture in-progress scientific experiments and research in a visually appealing way, so it complemented the course’s goal perfectly. Plus it raised funds for the TSETSE Gallery, which offers affordable arts classes for children.
The result? Some amazing, beautiful abstract photographs. Eight of the 10 semifinal spots went to Roger Williams students; in the end, senior engineering major Mike Soroka earned the top spot with his photo of a Tesla coil experiment. (You can still check out the photos, which are on display in the School of Engineering lobby.)
And beyond instilling communication skills in the University’s future engineers, the students’ projects also help debunk the myth that engineering is a straight-math-and-science profession, no creativity involved.
“That’s a major misconception about this industry,” Professor Riley says. “There are more than 100 types of engineering, so it’s difficult to define exactly what an engineer does. Really, successful engineers solve problems. That’s about as creative as you can get.”