A scientific world ruled by numbers, metrics, and statistics seems to have nothing to do with things like art and literature. While these fields are, indeed, different, there’s a crossover neither college students nor scientists rarely think about. Art and literature expand our thought processes and boost our creativity. Those qualities are also applicable in engineering, science, technology, and mathematics. Let’s review some of the main benefits scientists could get by studying art and literature.
Scientists Need to Learn How to Write
“The humanities” are all about communication and building connections with people. Many scientists lack these important skills. Still, they are crucial to anyone working in the STEM fields. Studying literature allows scientists to convey their thoughts coherently and concisely. This concerns not only research results but also more practical things. For example, scientists need to know how to write different types of documents.
When applying for a job in the STEM field, one needs to create a coherent resume. To do this, professionals can hire an ai resume writer or they can craft the document themselves. Writing skills are also necessary to clearly formulate thoughts and ideas. This is especially true for the people who engage in creating scientific articles.
Art and Literature Boost Empathy
We live and work surrounded by other people, be it a scientific field or a literary one. Science can’t exist separately from the people as it may lose its relevance and practicality. Arts and literature help us learn how to connect with people who are different from us. Even working in a scientific environment we still need to communicate with others, to hear and be heard. By understanding other people better, we can build stronger bonds with them. This concerns both professional and personal levels.
This, in turn, promotes a healthy working environment while boosting morale and productivity. When reading literature we learn how other people view the world. We also get a better understanding of how different everyone is. In real life, this will help us become more accepting of others, be it a colleague, a scientist, a college student, or our boss.
Art Improves Problem-Solving Skills
Art and imagination go hand in hand. Imagination promotes creativity, and that’s a skill crucial to scientific breakthroughs. One can’t find a solution to a problem without being creative. This is also about innovation and thinking out of the box. While often abstract, art allows us to go beyond traditional thinking patterns. This, in turn, can stimulate our minds and brains to think differently.
In the course of history, many scientists used art in one way or another. For example, Charles Messier produced more than 110 drawings of the night sky. He observed various space objects through the telescope and documented his research in such an artistic form. Furthermore, everyone is familiar with Leonardo Da Vinci. He was both a prominent artist and a scientist who inspired many innovations.
Art Promotes Mental Health
When we watch outstanding pieces of art we actually get ‘transported’ into the world of the artist. For a short instance, we can adopt his way of thinking when he was creating his work. This allows our brains to develop new neural pathways. This, in turn, boosts our creativity and inspiration. According to various studies, art can help reduce stress levels. Creative expression allows us to undergo a healing process. It also promotes our overall mental well-being. This is something all people could benefit from, including those working in the STEM fields.
Art Helps Science Tell Its Story
It’s true that science heavily relies on metrics and written reports. Nevertheless, it also needs art to envision things. We’re talking about 3D models and digital animation that can help people get familiar with the subject and understand what it is about. This, in turn, creates new forms of art that go beyond its traditional definition. Drawings, paintings, and animations can also be used as a part of the educational process. Visual materials can greatly enhance the learning experience. They keep the students engaged and motivated to learn more.
Conclusion
At first, it may seem like science and art don’t have much in common. Yet, if you take a closer look, there are a lot of crossover areas. Art, literature, and science complement each other on different levels. Literature helps scientists boost their communication skills and empathy towards other people. It also broadens the mind and improves cognitive functions. There are many examples in history when famous scientists were also prominent artists. For instance, Leonardo Da Vinci was known as a painter, a scientist, an engineer, and a sculptor. His works combined the beauty of art and the precision of science. He remains a huge inspiration for people from different fields of study until today.