An experiment in cross-disciplinary curricular ecology in which a university art class and its instructor enroll in a university biology lecture and lab.

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Colablablab I and Colablablab II were the first semester-long iterations of a Sponge workshop: A piloted 8 credit course structure at Virginia Commonwealth University in which a group of School of the Arts students and Department of Biology students enroll together, with their Colablablab professor Hope Ginsburg in a Biology 101 lecture and Biology 101 lab section. An experiment in curricular ecology in which the class takes a class.
The Colablablab instructors were Dr. Edward Crawford, Hope Ginsburg, and Dan Carr. Dr. Donald Young, chair of the VCU Biology Department was a behind-the-scenes steward. Participants, or Colablablaborators, were: Andrew Schmidt, Ashton Hudgins, Hyunji Lee, Jessica Dodd, John Gustafson, Katie Connor, Marilyn Li, Michael Horton, Olivia Gibian, Rebecca Henderson, and Ross Iannatti.  The Sponge Researchers, who dovetailed with that class, were Andrew Kotsch, Beranger LeFranc, and Vreni Michelini.

Daniel Carr was the Biology lecture and lab instructor of Colablablab II. Participants were: Colleen Billing, Lindsay Clements, Riley Duncan, Julie Hundley, Claire Johnson, Raena Mann, Christina Tyler, and Ashley Vreeland.

A talk about Colablablab and the Sponge HQ at the Creative Time Summit: The Curriculum at la Biennale di Venezia is here

Colablablabook on Lulu.com

 

Colablablab II exhibition postcard designed b Riley Duncan.
Lindsay Clements drawings in Colablablab II exhibition, "And the Lake has Alligators."
Colleen Billing and Julie Hundley collaboration for Colablablab II exhibition, "And the Lake has Alligators."
Biology instructor Daniel Carr's microscope demo in Colablablab II exhibition, "And the Lake has Alligators."
Riley Duncan performance still.
Riley Duncan performance still.
Colablablab II tour of the VCU Biology Department Greenhouse, led by instructor Daniel Carr.
Colablablab II visiting lotus expert evening with Kelly Billing and Paula Biles.
Colablablab II visiting lotus expert evening with Kelly Billing and Paula Biles.
Colablablab II visiting lotus expert evening with Kelly Billing and Paula Biles.
Leg of Colablablab II participant.
Participant Jessica Dodd (rear) in Colablablab booth in Science Fair exhibition, Flux Factory, 2010.
Colablablab booth in Science Fair exhibition, Flux Factory, 2010.
Colablablab booth in Science Fair exhibition, Flux Factory, 2010.
Colablablab booth in Science Fair exhibition, Flux Factory, 2010.
Colablablabook designed and edited by Katie Connor, cover by Olivia Gibian and design by Rebecca Henderson, with collective authorship by all Colablablab I participants.
Katie Connor, Colablablabook.
Katie Connor, Colablablabook.
Katie Connor, Colablablabook.
Michael Horton, Colablablabook.
Michael Horton, Colablablabook.
Olivia Gibian, Colablablabook.
Olivia Gibian, Colablablabook.
John Gustafson, Colablablabook.
Hyunji Lee, Colablablabook.
Hyunji Lee, Colablablabook.
Rebecca Henderson, Colablablabook.
Rebecca Henderson, Colablablabook.
Hyunji Lee, Colablablabook.
Hyunji Lee, Colablablabook.
Poster by Rebecca Henderson.
Katie Connor pizza oven.
Andrew Schmidt, Cellular Dinner.