Field Botany

In Field Botany, students work together to learn the methods of scientific inquiry and natural history — including how to produce field notes and sketches in observing nature — and the aesthetics of the art of nature. Students develop and evaluate inquiry-based hypotheses and communicate their findings in the production of effective and aesthetic art projects. Lab sessions include traditional lab-bench based exercises as well as extensive outdoor work and field trips to the Nature Lab at the Rhode Island School of Design and to the Botanical Center at Roger Williams Park.

Field Botany class at RISD Nature Lab — Field Botany class drawing from observations at the RISD Nature Lab

“The course was relaxing, but it had a challenging work component… Sometimes we would draw and other times we would go out to the bioswale to observe.” – James Sullivan ’19

Student Work from Field Botany:

Blue Jay, by Arriana Arroyo '20 — Blue Jay, by Arriana Arroyo ’20

Bird Nest, Nicole Jozwik '20 — Bird Nest, Nicole Jozwik ’20

Northern Saw-Whet Owl, Victoria D'Agostino '20 — Northern Saw-Whet Owl, Victoria D’Agostino ’20

Male and Female Hummingbirds with Morning Glories, Keara Westover '22 — Male and Female Hummingbirds with Morning Glories, Keara Westover ’22