Author: Nicole Ahn
By Nicole Ahn, 2025 DNCR Teacher Ambassadors and Arts Integration Specialist at Magellan Charter School, Raleigh
Imagine a school gym transformed into a wildlife gallery—68 vibrant paper mâché animal heads crafted by fourth graders, each one the result of hands-on research and a trip to the North Carolina Zoo, one of the 100+ sites operated by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR.)
Or picture enthusiastic nine- and ten-year-olds hiking over hills, through gardens and around sculptures at the DNCR’s North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) …in the name of SCIENCE!
These are just two examples of how integrating the arts into K-12 curriculum brings learning to life. This is not a new concept; for years research has shown that both teachers and students benefit from an interdisciplinary approach to education. When we integrate art into our courses, we give students a creative way to deepen their understanding of and connection to concepts they are learning. And it’s fun! At our school, embracing this approach has helped us build a culture of collaboration, confidence, and joy among teachers and students.
The Zoo-seum: Animal Adaptations Meet Art
In 4th grade science, students learn about animal adaptations. At the end of this unit, each student is assigned an animal (through an online randomizer) to research. Each of the possible “random” animals is one that can be found at the NC Zoo in Asheboro. Students have the opportunity to observe their research subject animal on a field trip to the Zoo. Taking what they already know of the animal, students are excited to find and observe their animal in its zoo habitat. The kid that was once disappointed about a randomly assigned gila monster now delights at watching the flicking tongue and marvels at the unique pigmentation of this large lizard. The learning comes alive!
In fourth grade science, students study animal adaptations. Each student is randomly assigned an animal found at the North Carolina Zoo. After researching their species, they observe it up close during a zoo field trip—transforming knowledge into curiosity. A student who first groaned over a gila monster ends up marveling at its flicking tongue and bold patterns.
Back in the art room, the zoo experience goes 3-D. Students sketch and sculpt their animals' heads, first in playdough, then in paper mâché. Over several days, giraffes get faux eyelashes, seals grow whiskers made from fishing line, and gazelles earn foil antlers. On Zoo-seum Day, families fill the gym to admire the finished works and hear student-recorded reports via QR codes. It’s creative learning students never forget.
The NCMA and the Science of Filtration
In fifth grade science, students learn about the water cycle, we head to North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) to explore their beautifully engineered filtration system. Rainwater collected in catch basins flows downhill through native plant gardens, eventually reaching a serene retention pond. In a series of rotating stations, students:
· Explore water filtration by tracing its path from catch basin to retention pond (with a special assignment to “look for the otter!”
· Examine art by sketching and comparing NCMA’s sculptures Ogromna and Askew.
· Discover native NC plants by creating rubbings of the etchings in the volunteer garden, while also discussing Tim Purus’ A Closer Look etchings that feature local flora and fauna.
· Discuss the themes of regrowth and resilience as they read and reflect on “This Very Tree,” a book about the Callery pear tree that miraculously survived the 9-11 attack, at the Lowe’s Park Pavillion.
· Explore filtered light while relaxing and trying yoga under a willow tree that softly filters daylight.
· Enjoy lunch and reflections on the ellipse by the museum's iconic Gyre sculpture to cap the day.
Back at school, students turn their field notes from the trip into personal art booklets—a keepsake of a day filled with science, nature, and creativity. As we like to say: “Science can be arty, and art can be sciencey!”
Enriching Education Through Exploration with DNCR
The NC Zoo and NCMA are essential resources for our school – and they are just 2 of over 100 fantastic statewide sites that are part of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. As a DNCR Teacher Ambassador, I have traveled to several inspirational sites this year. I can’t wait to collaborate with my fellow teachers in new ways as we explore the richness of our state and provide our students with new creative learning opportunities.
Additional Resources:
"Why Arts Integration? Two Big Reasons"
"What is Arts Integration: An Educators Guide"
NCMA Learn
NC Zoo Educator Resources