The Leonardo Effect

The Leonardo Effect is a completely unique concept that allows us to bridge scientific and artistic skill together. The concept looks beyond the numeracy and literacy that dominates education, and focuses on creativity in all it's form. According to Robson (2012) children 'have inherent skills conducive to learning and active attitudes towards discovering how their world works' (p.8). There should be a freedom within our education to explore and investigate our own learning through any medium we wish to learn through, but there has always been a struggle to develop this expression in 21st century education. Schools who allow this approach find that it 'allows children's creative abilities to develop' (p.9) whilst also enhancing their knowledge of literacy and numeracy.
Louis & Kelly (2013) state that children do not 'compartmentalize learning' (p.102) and explain that the education system does this for them. Schools separate the arts and science when this need not be the case.

Fibonacci Spiral; I have witnessed the above video in classrooms, it is an example of how the sequencing of art and science are natural and exhibits in the world around us.

I believe that both art and science offer inquiry based approaches far more than any other subjects offered, you are able to independently form your own ideas from using chosen mediums and seeking out individual answers. On a recent school trip, I visited The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery located in Swansea, South Wales to visit the 'Leonardo da Vinci' showcase. The class, who are currently learning about Italy, were able to visit the gallery and see the 'extraordinary scope of the artist's interests'. We were able to read his vast range of work which covered topics such as engineering helicopters, zoology, botany, anatomy and mapmaking all used through the mediums of expression such as watercolours, sculptures, black and red chalks and also pen and ink.

LEONARDO DA VINCI WORKPIECE, GLYNN VIVIAN, SWANSEA 

Zoology

LEONARDO DA VINCI WORKPIECE, GLYNN VIVIAN, SWANSEA

Anatomy

The children commented on how the drawings were so well done and informative, we then proceeded to expand upon this visit back at school where the children chose anything they wanted to speak about to the class that needed to be created in a medium of their own choosing. Allowing children to guide their own enquiry such as this engages 'the range of aptitudes' that are found in children, blending education into creative and a productive learning experience (Robson 2012).
With all the available resources in todays society, it is easy to incorporate both into lessons to allow the learner to find 'their element' as Ken Robinson (2009 cited Sahlberg 2015) explains that we each carry a unique pattern of aptitudes and interests and cannot equip ourselves to find our element if we are not subject to all mediums and experiences.

In 21st century education the needs for newer concepts such as the Leonardo Effect and enquiry based approaches are heightened. Considering the resources available it is integral that education keeps transforming and is centred around the best conditions for young people to become 'engaged learners, fulfilled individuals, and compassionate, productive citizens.' (Robinson 2009 cited Sahlberg 2015 p.206)