---
title: Putting the Art in Science
date: 2021-12-22T12:30:00-05:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/putting-the-art-in-science"
section: Articles
---
# Putting the Art in Science

*December 22, 2021* — by [Shannon Clark M.Jour. ’22](/author/shannon-clark-m-jour-22)


> Student Led-group Works to Bring Together Tech Fields, Fine Arts

*Flowerstem insta 1920x1080 — Members of the UMD student-led group Flower STEM worked with students and others at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Prince George's County to brighten up temporary classrooms and create new murals (below) in an effort to bolster students' mental health.*

Starry night skies and silhouettes of pine trees adorn the side of one of Eleanor Roosevelt High School’s temporary classroom buildings, creating a peaceful respite in this corner of the campus even at midday.

Since August, the primarily earth-tone high school has received welcome splashes of color scattered across several such structures, thanks to the efforts of a UMD student group that’s uniting two currents of scholarship that are often assumed to have little in common.

Known as Flower STEM, it kicked off last spring with the goal of boosting creativity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through interdisciplinary projects that combine these technical fields with the fine arts.

“We wanted to showcase where STEM and other fields like the arts have intersections,” said founder and president Vincent Lan ‘23, a materials science and engineering major. “STEM is not just simply something you can use for your careers. It’s a creative medium.”

Because it launched during a period of primarily virtual learning imposed by COVID-19, the group began inviting professionals who combine artistry and STEM principles in their careers to speak via Zoom. One was Anouk Wipprecht, an independent “fashiontech” designer from the Netherlands, who spoke to the students in November.

Wipprecht embeds technology into wearable pieces of art, such as her social distancing-inspired Proximity Dress. Outfitted with proximity sensors along the spine, the garment notifies the wearer if someone comes within six feet while robotic arms extend the soft, white, netlike fabric of the skirt outward–almost like an old-fashioned hoop skirt–creating a physical boundary through fashion.

“The guest speakers showcased things you can make using STEM and art,” said Lan. “Morale among students was at a low, so we think this helped bring that back.”


*Pink tree mural on orange background*



**Sidebar note:**

Flower STEM is raising money to cover the costs of materials, transportation and training needed for members to pursue projects at the intersection of the arts and the sciences. Donate at the University of Maryland’s crowdfunding platform, [Launch UMD](https://www.launch.umd.edu/project/29137).





**Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community)


**Tags:** [Visual Arts](https://today.umd.edu/topic/visual-arts)


**Units:** [Division of Student Affairs](https://today.umd.edu/topic/division-student-affairs)