The Allentown Art Museum joined the Da Vinci Science Center in hosting educators and staff of the Arts Academy Elementary Charter School (AAECS) for a professional-development experience on August 19 and 20, 2025. Branded “The Arts of Science,” the initiative is designed to deepen cross-disciplinary learning, spark innovative teaching strategies, and strengthen the educational ecosystem of the Lehigh Valley.
“Integrating art and science opens powerful pathways for creativity, critical thinking, and deeper engagement in the classroom,” says Abigail Simmons, the AAM’s director of education and public engagement. “By connecting educators from across disciplines, this collaboration fosters new approaches to teaching that will resonate far beyond a single day of learning. Our team is thrilled to work with the Arts Academy and the Da Vinci Science Center to help shape a more creative and collaborative educational future for our students and our community.”
The program brought together teachers, curators, scientists, and educational leaders for workshops, experiential learning, and dialogue focused on the power of integrated learning. Participants explored topics such as the artistic process in scientific inquiry, how scientific phenomena inspire visual storytelling, and how museums and science centers can serve as living classrooms.
“This collaboration is a perfect reflection of our mission at AAECS—to cultivate a love of learning through a rich integration of the arts and academics,” says Daniel Djuro-Goiricelaya, director. “The opportunity to partner with two of the region’s most dynamic cultural institutions speaks to the strength and vision of education in Allentown.”
As part of the school’s ongoing commitment to arts and science integration, AAECS will also be opening its new STEAM Lab this fall, where all students from kindergarten through 5th grade will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on, interdisciplinary learning. This new space will serve as a hub for creativity and exploration, allowing students to experience firsthand how science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics intersect in the real world.
“The Da Vinci Science Center is proud to support this initiative through our Connect Membership with the Arts Academy Elementary Charter School,” says Lin Erickson, executive director and CEO at Da Vinci Science Center. “This membership helps strengthen the connection between artistic creativity and scientific discovery, and gives educators new tools to inspire curiosity across disciplines.”
