The Metamorphosis Project is an immersive, in-school program integrating arts and sciences in elementary school classrooms. Students deepen their connection with and understanding of the Earth through hands-on experiences in nature, and use this knowledge to envision and craft solutions to social and ecological challenges facing their communities and the broader world.

Each Metamorphosis Project is centered around a topic like water, animals, or community that students are studying in their science classes. During the program, students develop an emotional connection to the topic through art-making, gather knowledge on their topic through research, and experience their topic first hand on a nature field trip. Using their gathered knowledge and wisdom, they draft and build models of vehicles, machines, and architectures that attempt to solve issues like ecological destruction or community disintegration. This design-and-build process engages students’ collaborative, critical thinking, and motor skills while helping them to see the real-world applications of science learning. The project’s impact is deepened through complementary elements such as peer critiques, collaborative exercises, civic and family engagement opportunities, and exhibitions of student work.