Let's create continuous conversations about climate change education: Spreading the Sediment of Science!
"Habitat Degradation: Deforestation"
Provided by: Jill Pelto Gallery |Published on: April 27, 2021
Artwork Grades 6-8, 9-12
Synopsis
- This watercolor by scientist and artist Jill Pelto uses data showing the decline of the rainforest and illustrates how habitat degradation is affecting forest species at risk of extinction.
- The image helps students understand how human actions are affecting animals, such as the tiger, struggling to survive due to deforestation.
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Subjects: Science, Visual and Performing Arts
Authors: Jill Pelto Gallery
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- Analyzing art gives students the opportunity to discuss their interpretations with their peers and to support their views by referring to specific elements.
- This resource raises awareness of the problem of deforestation and its impacts on species.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should be familiar with the concepts of biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, endangered species, extinction, and deforestation.
Differentiation
- In art class, students can analyze the use of color and balance.
- Science classes can use this resource as a hook for a research project on an endangered animal of their choice.
- Students can work in groups to brainstorm and research different solutions to stop deforestation and save wildlife.
- In an ELA lesson, the teacher can ask students to write a reflective paragraph about this artwork.
- Students could also watch this video, which introduces students to the impact humans have on biodiversity.
- Other works by Jill Pelto on habitat degradation include this piece on ocean acidification and this piece on Arctic melt.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
Jill Pelto
Jill Pelto is an artist and scientist whose work focuses on communicating human-environment connections. She incorporates scientific research and data directly into her watercolor paintings — from local trends to global changes. Jill’s artwork was featured on the cover of TIME Magazine in July 2020 and has inspired online features in Smithsonian and PBS News Hour. Jill has created a science-art activity based on this idea and has worked with K-12 students across the U.S. and beyond. By pairing graphical information with visual imagery, Jill hopes students can learn about and connect to climate change topics (good, bad, and in-between) in ways that educate and are emotionally relevant. This data-art activity is flexible and allows students to make their own graph art to share topics they care about.
All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.
