<p>Both chemistry and art have long and
intertwined histories, from the chemical synthesis of the first synthetic
pigments such as Egyptian blue by ancient artists to the more recent collaboration
between nanotechnology and chemistry to produce ‘Vantablack’ the darkest shade
of black ever produced. However, it is only in recent years that the utility of
art as a vehicle for communicating and teaching chemistry concepts has been identified,
although to date this has been largely confined to classroom environments.
Public art, such a murals, can function as a means of communicating science to
audiences who do not typically engage with such topics as it can merely be
stumbled upon by chance rather than having to be actively sought out. In this
commentary, the use of art to encourage engagement with and facilitate the
teaching of chemical concepts is discussed. In addition to this, the utility of
public art to communicate chemistry concepts to diverse populations, outside of
the traditional classroom environment, is highlighted. </p>
The Six Learnings of Second Life: a Framework for Designing Curricular Interventions In-world
