How to Move From Guarding Chalk to Black Holes

From Guarding Chalk to Black Holes

The gloomy June coastal overcast was just lifting as I stepped off the bus on Science Hill at the University of California, Santa Cruz(UCSC). The sun was out but a coolness in the air remained. A slight hint of redwood filled the air. Having been on campus numerous times but I hadn’t recalled the loveliness of the fragrance. Enchanting, it was.The collaboration between the artist and the scientist is about to begin learning from guarding chalk to black holes.

 The Physics Office

I enjoyed the short walk to Benjamin Lehmann’s office in the Interdisplinary Science Building. I had never been there,but I had been to the nearby Science Library. After arriving a bit early, I took the opportunity to look around the lobby . I snuck a look at the photos of professors and PhD candidates on the wall. As it was finals week, the lobby was busy with a diverse group of students working on their laptops. The days of science being a males only field are over.

Ben’s Office-From Guarding Chalk to Black Holes

When Ben arrived, he showed me his office, a small room with 4 desks and a chalkboard. Evidently, physicists resisted the change to white boards. They have been able to continue with chalk and blackboards for their labors. Each grad  student guards their special stash of chalk. As a retired elementary school teacher who spent most of her career teaching from a chalk board, I found the practice relatable and charming.

The Search for Common Ground

We began  taking baby steps to find common ground to work  together. Ben pulled up some images,photos,charts and graphs on his computer that he thought might be a starting point of inspiration.  They were incredible shots of space.  I prefer my art be more impressionistic rather than photo image perfect. However, I plan on keeping an open mind on this aspect. I may be adjust my opinion for this project. Ben expressed an interest in being an active participant in some of the artwork.The fabric laying techniques easily accessible to newcomers. He would create a scene and I would do the sewing part. The possibility is worth looking forward to.

Learning about Dark Matter

Ben asked what I understood about dark matter. My response  pertained to my very limited knowledge of black holes. Ben graciously commented that many words seems similar but have different meanings.  As a theorist, he explained that he studies the beginning of the universe by studying particles and their actions right after the Big Bang. Dark matter is matter(solid, liquid, gas)that is all around us but we can’t see it. I thought of wifi. As an educational system, a core part of UCSC curriculum fosters  interdisciplinary studies and collaborations as essential to  the future work environment. Ben, as one of its students was successful in communicating these difficult ideas. While I understood his explanations, I warned him that I might need to have them repeated again.

Scientists need to Communicate Clearly

The issue of scientists communicating to others is crucial, more now than ever. Explaining complex scientific concepts to people, however educated they my be in their own fields, is a crucial skill. Ben shared that monthly lectures were offered by the Physics Department. At those meetings, different physicists to  share their work. He admitted that he sometimes couldn’t totally understand the physicists whose work was in a field of physics different from his own. We must all work to break down the silos of communication.

Creativity -Thinking with an Open Mind

Creativity involves being open to new thinking or trying something new. One must venture forth without knowing what the end process or destination may be. In other words, Ben, theorical physicist and I, art quilter  both had a creative day.

Finals Week

As the early afternoon heated up, Ben had to leave to proctor a final exam. I continued to sit on the bench we had found outside inhaling the redwoods until it got too hot. UCSC rightfully holds a place on the list of most beautiful campuses. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. I undoubtably was the only person relaxed and smiling on that finals week afternoon.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/annbmayartquilts/