Promoting Brain-Science Literacy in the K-12 Classroom

Comments

Creativity & Mental Illness(3)
Dr. M. A. Greenstein

8/31/2010 1:56:17 PM

 Thanks Michaela for your thorough "back to school" note to inspire Brain-Science Literacy. I stand with you in finding creative ways to integrate neuroscience core concepts and experiments in all areas of K-12 curriculum. However, I must take issue with your effort to perpetuate the "myth" of the artist as mentally ill. Yes, I have seen the studies comparing spiking and neurotransmitter activity in "divergent" thinkers (groups named as "artists"/ "schizophrenics"). Advisor to my institute is in fact, one of the key and early researchers of those studies (Dr. James Fallon) However, to leap to a correlative conclusion that creativity is tethered to craziness sends the wrong message, especially given all that we know about the high level cognitive functioning/problem solving entailed in artistic and design practices. As the founding director of an institute dedicated to promoting brain aware and mindful approaches to creative problem solving I applaud all of Dana's noble efforts put forward to support the arts and education. I hope we can move to a rebooted 21st century picture of the healthy, brilliant artist, designer, architect, composer and scientist. I welcome you to join the national discussion of neuroaessthetics and feel free to visit my website that supports the art of daring, dynamic artists doing important reach on the brain and body in space! Also check out our GGI 4 Kids Brain Awareness Art/Science fair projects! Synaptically yours, Dr. M. A. Greenstein, The George Greenstein Institute, Inc., Publisher, Bodiesinspace.com; Dana Alliance Partner in Brain Awareness Week; P