A Creative Adventure with BIOS 115 Genetics

In Fall 2023, the Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG) proudly partnered with Assistant Professor of Biology, Larry Tartaglia, and CITL Faculty Fellow to bring his BIOS 115 Genetics class on a creative adventure. Students embarked on a scavenger hunt across the LUAG galleries, exploring 19 works of art featured in the exhibitions: Lucy Gans: Reading Between the Lines, Bodies of Knowledge, and Selections from the Permanent Collection in the Lower Gallery. This unique collaboration blended genetic science with artistic expression, as students searched for and identified a variety of genetic principles within artworks from diverse time periods and cultures. The hunt spanned three campus locations: LUAG Main Galleries, Rauch Business Center, and Maginnes. Each student took 10 photos of artworks matching 10 of the provided questions, ultimately submitting a final document with answers to all 19 questions and at least 10 images. The "Genetics Art Gallery Project" seamlessly integrated science and art, sparking curiosity and creativity, and strengthening students' observation skills.