Science and art go hand-in-hand, as scientists make art to share their observations. Two scientists who are widely known first as artists are Leonardo de Vinci, anatomist and inventor, and Beatrix Potter, mycologist. Both of these scientists used observations of the natural world as the springboard for their discoveries.

Young children like to paint and draw and are learning that they can make representations and share their stories with artwork. Use your students’ interest in drawing to teach about recording and sharing scientific observations. Making observations about living things is part of the National Science Education Content Standards A and C for grades K–4.