[O-02] Why do organisms create biominerals? ~Advancement of science by blending of Art-thinking~

[O02-P02] Implementing marine science outreach through art and design: the example of the Science x Art cruise

*Takashi Toyofuku^1,2, Yukiko Nagai¹, Remi Tsubaki³, Koichi WATANABE⁶, Kodai Taguchi^4,5 (1.Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2.Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, 3.eusapia, 4.3710Lab, 5.Center for Ocean Literacy and Education, 6.Fukushima University)

Keywords:Marine Science, Outreach, art, design

This report describes an initiative aimed at accelerating or pioneering communication between the scientific community and the public through the universal human languages of art and design, both verbal and non-verbal. The Science x Art project was implemented as part of JAMSTEC's 50th-anniversary celebrations, with the authors participating. While marine science research, often perceived as complex and challenging, faces several hurdles in gaining public understanding, activities that highlight the enjoyment of the science field can resonate widely with people. The project aimed to explore ways of communicating science beyond the academic sphere. It organized a research voyage as a collaborative effort, allowing artists, designers, and scientists from diverse professional backgrounds to experience life on board a research vessel and engage in creative activities using marine samples. The voyage served as an opportunity to directly experience marine research operations and for participants to draw inspiration from the scientific processes and natural phenomena encountered.

For the participants, the immersive nature of the voyage elicited a wide range of creative inspirations and outputs, ranging from designs to cross-media expressions.

The collaboration between science and art has brought marine science to the attention of people from various backgrounds through the enjoyment of science and has also provided an opportunity for information to be disseminated to friends, acquaintances, and the media, making the scientific scene feel more personal. The project's format can be applied not only to marine science but also to various earth and planetary sciences. This approach could also prove useful in biomineralization outreach, where morphological features can garner widespread interest.