STEAM education program development for the light unit in the middle-school science textbook by using masterpieces of painting

Scientific concepts linked with reflection, refraction, composition, and dispersion of light have been used on masterpieces of painting that represented the spirits of the times. Utilizing works of art in order to teach science classes not only helps to raise studentsï interest in science but also promotes new perspectives that traditional ways of teaching science may not. In this work, we developed the STEAM education program for the light unit in the middle-school science textbook by analyzing the properties and the concepts of light that are embedded in masterpieces. Our program consists of six hours of classes and takes the form of storytelling. According to teacher observation reports and students' impressions obtained after our program had been applied, our program appears to have enhanced participating studentsï interest in science.