From scientific inquiry to visual expression : developing a sustainable worldview through science and fine art in primary education

Purkat, Matija (avtor), Devetak, Iztok (avtor), Vošnjak, Matej (avtor), Potočnik, Robert (avtor)

This paper explores the potential of interdisciplinary teaching that combines science and fine art to foster students’ responsible engagement with environmental and social challenges, positioned as an important contribution to sustainability. Within a participatory action research project conducted over five cycles in a Slovenian primary school, the Model of Interdisciplinary Teaching in Science and Fine Art (MITSFA) was developed. It integrates problem-based science tasks, experimental work, reflective discussions, and art assignments with a strong communicative and esthetic dimension. The paper analyses activities that encouraged scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and visual interpretation of complex phenomena, ranging from material properties to sustainable spatial planning. Empirical data include students’ artworks, interviews, written reflections, and the teacher’s research diary. Findings suggest that combining scientific exploration with visual expression deepens understanding, fosters emotional engagement, and promotes environmental and social awareness. Students showed greater sensitivity to complexity, ability to recognize layered meanings, and readiness to express their worldview through art. It can be concluded that meaningful learning emerges where scientific and artistic processes are interconnected, highlighting the teacher’s role as a creative facilitator bridging investigation and interpretation. The study demonstrates how integrating science and fine art in primary education directly supports education for sustainable development by cultivating environmental awareness and responsibility.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: interdisciplinary teaching, critical and creative thinking, fine art, science education, student engagement, education for sustainable development, action research
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: PEF - Pedagoška fakulteta
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Leto izida: 2026
• Št. strani: 26 str.
• Številčenje: Vol. 16, iss. 1, art. 58
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-177736
• UDK: 373.3:502
• ISSN pri članku: 2227-7102
• DOI: 10.3390/educsci16010058
• COBISS.SI-ID: 263408131
• Datum objave v RUL: 06.01.2026

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: Education sciences
• Skrajšan naslov: Educ. sci.
• Založnik: MDPI
• ISSN: 2227-7102
• COBISS.SI-ID: 520257817

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: To je standardna licenca Creative Commons, ki daje uporabnikom največ možnosti za nadaljnjo uporabo dela, pri čemer morajo navesti avtorja.

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Ključne besede: znanstveno raziskovanje, vizualno izražanje, trajnostni svetovni nazor, znanost, likovna umetnost, osnovnošolsko izobraževanje