Integrating creativity and science at NERS
Through several initiatives, NERS is actively harmonizing artistic expression into our scientific environment.
A series of projects at NERS are demonstrating the meaningful link between art and science. These initiatives highlight how creative expression can enhance scientific understanding, enrich the academic environment, and foster a vibrant, interdisciplinary community. Through the integration of music, visual arts, and symbolic transformations, NERS is exploring the boundaries of engineering education and underscoring the importance of creativity in scientific pursuits.
“Many of our students come to NERS with some background in the arts,” said NERS Chair Todd Allen. “We want to encourage creativity in our engineers and, through engagement with their artistic side, we can remind them of the similarities in creative approaches between engineers and the arts.”
Bridging Art and Science: The NERS Mural Project
The NERS Mural Project is another inspiring initiative that integrates art into the scientific curriculum. This project aims to provide engineering students with a creative outlet. The project, another partnership between NERS and the U-M Arts Initiative, was integrated into NERS 250: Intro to Nuclear Engineering.
Michigan-based artists Josh Rainer and Devin Wright collaborated with students to develop imagery that visually represents their scientific work and the rich history of NERS. The resulting mural, which is currently being painted in the tunnel connecting the Cooley Building and the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Project, will serve as a daily reminder of the intersection between art and science.
A Harmonious Addition: The Unique Piano at NERS
Recently, NERS welcomed a vibrantly decorated piano, a testament to the department’s appreciation for artistic expression. This piano, adorned in the university’s iconic blue and maize colors, was originally part of the Community Keys project, a collaborative effort between the U-M Arts Initiative and the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. The project placed creatively decorated pianos at various campus locations, encouraging spontaneous musical engagement.
As the project concluded, the “Leaders and Best” piano sought a permanent home. The Arts Initiative’s program curator reached out, and NERS saw an opportunity to bring a touch of musical charm to its halls. Now residing in the lobby of the Cooley Building, this piano has already become a source of joy, offering moments of musical respite amid the rigorous academic schedules. Players are kindly asked to refrain from using the piano while classes are in session.
Symbolizing Progress: The Reclaimed Door Project
In the heart of the Cooley Building, a small yet significant symbol of progress stands—a reclaimed door, transformed into a colorful, psychedelia-meets-art nouveau masterpiece. This door, once part of a notoriously tight entrance to the first-floor women’s bathroom, symbolized historical gender inequities within the nuclear engineering field.
With funding from Gladys Knoll secured at the suggestion of Allen, structural changes were made that allowed for a new appropriately sized door to be installed. The U-M Women in Nuclear Chapter held a “door-smashing party” to celebrate the demolition of the old door, which was then transformed through a series of paint parties into a vibrant reminder of the strides made towards gender equality.
“The women’s restroom renovation symbolizes a cultural revolution within the department, marking a move towards greater inclusivity of historically underrepresented backgrounds,” said Mackenzie Warwick, NERS graduate student and founding president of the U-M Women in Nuclear Chapter. I suggested a 70s groovy/psychedelic theme to represent the 70 years since the department’s inception, and therefore 70 years of systemic inequities. The door stands as a reminder to remember where we started and to look forward to what is yet to come. All women in the department have been encouraged to sign the door and a new tradition of signing the door when declaring NERS as a major has begun. Todd and Gladys’s support of WinNERS/WIN has been crucial for us to truly feel a sense of belonging.”
Today, the reclaimed door stands in the Cooley Building beside the new door. It represents a gateway to greater inclusivity and opportunity for all, thanks to the efforts of the Women in Nuclear Chapter and the generous support of Gladys Knoll.
Related: Musical Interdisciplinary Insights
University Musical Society Conductor Chelsea Gallo and Composer Corey Dundee explore the intersection of classical music and nuclear engineering in this performance created for NERS sophomores in 2020.