Hydrophone sound level meter “Pontus”

Treball desenvolupat en el marc del programa "European Project Semester".The ocean is full of anthropogenic noise which can harm marine animals. The anthropogenic sounds can cause a threshold shift in their hearing sensibility, which can on its turn cause changes in their behavior. The aim of this project is to develop a portable hydrophone sound level meter that displays sound levels in real time. In addition, a warning signal will be displayed when a defined sound level is reached or surpassed. In order to achieve these goals, research was carried out. It was determined when sound levels and octaves become dangerous or deadly for the respective marine life. For the development process of the hydrophone sound level meter, it was important to determine requirements in order to make the device usable for this purpose. Based on the requirements, a selection of technical components and the design of the device was made. With the help of the necessary software, the measured values of a hydrophone can be displayed on the hydrophone sound level meter in an easily understandable way. In this report a final design of a hydrophone sound level meter is presented, which fulfils almost all requirements and objectives.Incomin

Atlas of sensations - on sensibilities in a computational design practice

The driving force behind the body of work of SPAN is defined by the application of advanced computational design methodologies. This dissertation can be understood as a cartography (in the best tradition of an atlas) of the work of the practice from its founding year 2003 until 2017 - a period profoundly shaped by the progress made in technological advances. These technological means allow SPAN to discuss architectural project through a series of different lenses such as conceptualization, planning, fabrication to the maintenance of the designed objects, through the use of emerging technical opportunities wither this be the interrogation of novel geometries (Blocks, Ore, Barcelona Recursion), computational methods of rationalization (Expo Façade) or advanced methods of fabrication (Robots, as for example in Plato's Columns). In a parallel move between the necessities and desires of the practice and the ambitious studios and seminars in academia, novel toolsets and design concepts are developed to address contemporary architectural problems. These areas can be understood as different territories of interrogation, forming a landscape of opportunities, or as we describe it internally in our office: a design ecology. The interrogation of these distinct territories, and the unique way in which SPAN assembles those various elements to something larger than its parts, is what constitutes part of SPAN's contribution to the discipline. Apart from projects and visual work, SPAN´s contribution to discourse started early with papers to conferences such as IASS (International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures) in 2007, Design Modeling Symposium in 2008, and ACADIA (Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture) in 2008, which included ideas such as the application of tissue engineering in architecture, aspects of artifact and affect, fabrication, and considerations on architectural details in complex curved geometries. Within the Atlas of Sensations, a second ecology is defined by the contribution to the paradigm shift in the discourse from the continuous to the hyper-articulated surface, which contains an additional level of information. A surface, which describes architectural properties through the deep pochés, folds, joints, niches, and arches it generates.  The question is: How does this shift in the conception of architecture affect the qualities of the design, and by extension the context these objects construct? To further investigate this question the work focuses on one part of the practice's design ecology: design sensibilities. In order to interrogate this question, the presented work observes these moments in SPAN's practice through the lens of geometrical properties. Ultimately resulting in thoughts on Postdigital design ecologies that discuss aspects of design agency in our contemporary age

Study of Requirements and Design of Sensors for Monitoring Water Quality and Feeding Process in Fish Farms and Other Environments

Se están realizando muchos esfuerzos en la acuicultura para alcanzar la sostenibilidad, sin embargo aún está lejos de ser sostenible. Sus impactos sobre el medio ambiente pueden prevenirse y corregirse mediante el uso de sensores, desarrollando la conocida como acuicultura de precisión. La calidad del agua afecta el rendimiento de los peces. La temperatura y la salinidad son algunos factores que afectan al crecimiento de los peces. Sin embargo, otros factores como la turbidez, el fotoperíodo y el oxígeno disuelto entre otros pueden afectar a las necesidades nutritivas de los peces. Ajustar la cantidad de alimento necesario es crucial para garantizar la sostenibilidad de la acuicultura y para aumentar el beneficio económico de las instalaciones. Al monitorear la calidad del agua, es posible estimar las necesidades de alimentación. Sin embargo, no es suficiente. El monitoreo del comportamiento de los peces, especialmente durante el período de alimentación, puede ayudar a adaptar el alimento proporcionado. Entonces, si está tan claro que el monitoreo puede ayudar a la producción acuícola, ¿por qué no vemos este sistema de monitoreo en las instalaciones acuícolas? ¿Por qué en la mayoría de las instalaciones la alimentación se da manualmente sin considerar el comportamiento de alimentación de los peces? El precio de los sensores para monitorizar las piscifactorías es extremadamente alto. Los sensores empleados son, en la mayoría de los casos, los mismos que se utilizan para la oceanografía. Los sistemas propuestos en la literatura cubren pocos parámetros de calidad del agua y generalmente no consideran el comportamiento de alimentación de los peces. Son necesarios sensores de bajo costo adecuados para la monitorización de la acuicultura. Esos sensores deben ser de bajo costo, bajo consumo de energía, fáciles de usar y con la posibilidad de incluirlos en una red para enviar los datos. Por lo tanto, podremos utilizar esta red de sensores y sensores para controlar la actividad, enviar alarmas si es necesario y automatizar los procesos. Además, si incluimos Internet, los datos se pueden ver de forma remota. El uso de esos sensores puede ayudar a la producción acuícola. En esta tesis mostramos el estudio de los requisitos y el diseño de sensores para monitorizar la calidad del agua y el proceso de alimentación en piscifactorías y otros entornos. Primero estudiamos en detalle los requisitos de los sensores en acuicultura. Luego mostramos el estado del arte de los sensores actuales para el monitoreo de la calidad del agua y para el monitoreo de la acuicultura. A continuación, presentamos el diseño y desarrollo de nuestros propios sensores de bajo costo y su aplicación en instalaciones de piscifactorías con sistema abierto y sistema de recirculación. Además, mostramos la posibilidad de monitorizar hasta 10 parámetros incluyendo calidad del agua (temperatura, salinidad, turbidez y presencia de hidrocarburo / capa de aceite), ambiente del tanque (nivel de agua, iluminación, presencia de trabajadores) y comportamiento de alimentación de peces (profundidad de natación de bajura, estimación de los cambios en la velocidad de nado de bajíos y la caída de alimento). El sistema propuesto, capaz de monitorear todos estos parámetros, tiene un bajo coste y bajo consumo de energía. El precio estimado es inferior a 100 € por tanque. Además, mostramos el uso de algunos de los sensores antes mencionados para el ajuste automático del proceso de alimentación de peces. Finalmente, mostramos como algunos de los sensores desarrollados se utilizan en otras áreas acuáticas naturales como manglares y estuarios. Además, se presenta un sistema inteligente para monitorear y rastrear la contaminación en los cuerpos de agua.There are many efforts done in the aquaculture to reach its sustainability, although in reality, it is far from being sustainable. Its negative impacts on the environment can be prevented and corrected by the use of sensors, developing precision aquaculture. The water quality affects to the fish performance. The temperature and salinity are some factors that affect to the fish growth. Nevertheless, other factors such as turbidity, photoperiod and dissolved oxygen among other can affect to the fish feeding needs. To adjust the amount of feed needed is crucial to ensure the sustainability of the aquaculture and to increase the economic profit of the facilities. Monitoring the water quality allows estimating the feed needs. However, it is not enough. To monitor the fish behavior, especially during the feeding period can help to adapt the provided feed. Then, if it is so clear that the monitoring can help to the aquaculture production, why we do not see this monitoring systems in the aquaculture facilities? Why in most of the facilities the feed is given manually without considering the fish feeding behavior? Nevertheless, the current price of the sensors for monitoring the fish farms is extremely high. The employed sensors are in most of the cases, the same that are used for oceanography. The proposed systems in the literature only cover some water quality parameters and usually do not consider fish feeding behavior. It is need low-cost sensors suitable for aquaculture monitoring. Those sensors must also be low-energy consumption, easy to use and with the option to include them in a network in order to send the data. Thus, we can use these sensors and sensors network to monitor the activity, to send alarms if it is necessary and to automatize processes. Moreover, including Internet, the data can be seen remotely. The use of those sensors can help to the aquaculture production. In this thesis, we show the study of requirements and design of sensors for monitoring water quality and feeding process in fish farms and other environments. First, we study in detail the requirements of sensors in aquaculture. Then, we show the state of the art of the current sensors for water quality monitoring and for aquaculture monitoring. Following, we present the design and development of some low-cost sensors and their applications in fish farm facilities with open system and recirculating system. Moreover we show a complete system which monitors up to 10 parameters including water quality (temperature, salinity, turbidity and presence of hydrocarbon/oil layer), tank environment (water level, illumination, presence of workers), and fish feeding behavior (shoal swimming depth, estimation of changes on shoal swimming velocity and feed falling). Moreover, it accomplishes the features of low-cost and low energy consumption. The estimated price for proposed system is less than 100€ per tank. In addition, we show the use of some of the aforementioned sensors for automatic adjustment of fish feeding process. Finally, some of the developed sensors are plied in other natural aquatic areas such as mangroves, and estuaries. Moreover, an intelligent system for pollution monitoring and tracking in water bodies are presented.S'estan realitzant molts esforços en l'aqüicultura per assolir la sostenibilitat, malgrat això, encara està lluny de ser sostenible. Els seus impactes sobre el medi ambient es poden prevenir i corregir mitjançant l'ús de sensors, desenvolupant la coneguda com a aqüicultura de precisió. La qualitat de l'aigua afecta el rendiment dels peixos. La temperatura i la salinitat són alguns factors que afecten el creixement dels peixos. A més a més, altres factors com la terbolesa, el fotoperíode i l'oli dissolt entre uns altres poden afectar a les necessitats nutritives dels peixos. Ajustar la quantitat d'aliment necessari és crucial per garantir la sostenibilitat de l'aqüicultura i per augmentar el benefici econòmic de les instal·lacions. Al monitoritzar la qualitat de l'aigua, és possible estimar les necessitats d'alimentació. No obstant això, no és suficient. Monitoritzar el comportament dels peixos, especialment durant el període d'alimentació, pot ajudar a adaptar el subministrament alimentari. Aleshores, si es tan clar que el monitoratge pot ajudar a la producció aqüícola, per què no veiem aquest sistema de monitoratge en les instal·lacions aquàtiques? Per què a la majoria de les instal·lacions la alimentació es dóna manualment sense considerar el comportament alimentari dels peixos? El preu dels sensors per controlar les piscifactories és extremadament alt. Els sensors empleats són, en la majoria dels casos, els mateixos que es fan servir per a l'oceanografia. Els sistemes proposats en la literatura monitoritzen pocs paràmetres de qualitat de l'aigua i generalment no consideren el comportament dels peixos durant l'alimentació. Són necessaris sensors de baix cost adequats per a la monitorització de l'aqüicultura. Aquests sensors han de ser de baix cost, baix consum d'energia, senzills d'usar i amb la possibilitat d'incloure'ls en una xarxa per enviar-los. Per tant, podrem utilitzar aquesta xarxa de sensors i sensors per controlar l'activitat, enviar alarmes si és necessari i automatitzar els processos. A més, si incloem Internet, les dades es podran veure de forma remota. L'ús d'aquests sensors pot ajudar a la producció aqüícola. En aquesta tesi es mostra l'estudi dels requisits i el disseny de sensors per a monitoritzar la qualitat de l'aigua i el procés d'alimentació en piscifactories i altres entorns. Primer, estudiem en detall els requisits dels sensors en aqüicultura. A continuació, es mostra el estat de l'art dels sensors actuals per al monitoratge de la qualitat de l'aigua i per al monitoratge de l'aqüicultura. A continuació, presentem el disseny i desenvolupament dels nostres propis sensors de baix cost i la seva aplicació en instal·lacions d'aqüicultura amb sistema obert i sistema de recirculació. A més, mostrem la possibilitat de monitoritzar fins a 10 paràmetres, incloent-hi la qualitat de l'aigua (temperatura, salinitat, terbolesa i presència d'hidrocarburs / capa d'oli), ambient del tanc (nivell d'aigua, il·luminació, presència de treballadors) i alimentació del consum de peces (profunditat de natació de baix, estimació dels canvis en la velocitat de naixement de baixos i la caiguda d'aliment). El sistema proposat, capaç de controlar tots aquests paràmetres, té un baix cost i baix consum d'energia. El preu estimat és inferior a 100 € per tanc. A més, mostrem l'ús d'alguns dels sensors abans esmentats per a l'ajust automàtic del procés d'alimentació de peces. Finalment, mostrem com alguns dels sensors desenvolupats es fan servir en altres àrees aquàtiques naturals com manglars i estuaris. A més, es presenta un sistema intel·ligent per monitoritzar i rastrejar la contaminació en els cossos d'aigua.Parra Boronat, L. (2018). Study of Requirements and Design of Sensors for Monitoring Water Quality and Feeding Process in Fish Farms and Other Environments [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/106369TESI

Photonic low-cost sensors for in-line fluid monitoring. Design methodology

779 p.The paradigm of process monitoring has evolved in the last years, driven by a clear need for improving efficiency, quality and safety of processes and products. Sectors as manufacturing, energy, food and beverages, etc. are fostering the adoption of innovative methods for controlling their processes and products, in a non-destructive, in-place, reliable, fast, accurate and cost-efficient manner. Furthermore, the parameters requested by the industry for the quality assessment are evolving from basic magnitudes as pressures, temperatures, humidity, etc. to complete chemical and physical fingerprints of these products and processes. In this situation, techniques based on the UV/VIS/NIR light-matter interaction appear to be optimum candidates to face the request of the industry. Moreover, at this moment, when we are witnessing a technological revolution in the field of optoelectronic components, which are required for setting up these light-based analyzers.However, being able to integrate these optoelectronic components with the rest of subsystems (electronics, optics, mechanics, hydraulics, data processing, etc.) is not straightforward. The development of these multi-domain and heterogeneous sensor products meeting not just technological but also market objectives poses a considerable technical and organizational challenge for any company.In this context, a methodological hybrid and agile integration of photonic components within the rest of subsystems towards a sensor product development is presented as the main outcome of the thesis. The methodology has been validated in several industrial scenarios, being three of them included in this thesis, which covers from hydraulic fluid quality control to real-time monitoring of alcoholic beverage fermentation process

{MEYE}: Web-app for translational and real-time pupillometry

Pupil dynamics alterations have been found in patients affected by a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions, in- cluding autism. Studies in mouse models have used pupillometry for phenotypic assessment and as a proxy for arousal. Both in mice and humans, pupillometry is noninvasive and allows for longitudinal experiments sup- porting temporal specificity; however, its measure requires dedicated setups. Here, we introduce a convolu- tional neural network that performs online pupillometry in both mice and humans in a web app format. This solution dramatically simplifies the usage of the tool for the nonspecialist and nontechnical operators. Because a modern web browser is the only software requirement, this choice is of great interest given its easy deployment and setup time reduction. The tested model performances indicate that the tool is sensitive enough to detect both locomotor-induced and stimulus-evoked pupillary changes, and its output is compara- ble to state-of-the-art commercial devicesPupil dynamics alterations have been found in patients affected by a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions, including autism. Studies in mouse models have used pupillometry for phenotypic assessment and as a proxy for arousal. Both in mice and humans, pupillometry is noninvasive and allows for longitudinal experiments supporting temporal specificity; however, its measure requires dedicated setups. Here, we introduce a convolutional neural network that performs online pupillometry in both mice and humans in a web app format. This solution dramatically simplifies the usage of the tool for the nonspecialist and nontechnical operators. Because a modern web browser is the only software requirement, this choice is of great interest given its easy deployment and setup time reduction. The tested model performances indicate that the tool is sensitive enough to detect both locomotor-induced and stimulus-evoked pupillary changes, and its output is comparable to state-of-the-art commercial devices

Face recognition by means of advanced contributions in machine learning

Face recognition (FR) has been extensively studied, due to both scientific fundamental challenges and current and potential applications where human identification is needed. FR systems have the benefits of their non intrusiveness, low cost of equipments and no useragreement requirements when doing acquisition, among the most important ones. Nevertheless, despite the progress made in last years and the different solutions proposed, FR performance is not yet satisfactory when more demanding conditions are required (different viewpoints, blocked effects, illumination changes, strong lighting states, etc). Particularly, the effect of such non-controlled lighting conditions on face images leads to one of the strongest distortions in facial appearance. This dissertation addresses the problem of FR when dealing with less constrained illumination situations. In order to approach the problem, a new multi-session and multi-spectral face database has been acquired in visible, Near-infrared (NIR) and Thermal infrared (TIR) spectra, under different lighting conditions. A theoretical analysis using information theory to demonstrate the complementarities between different spectral bands have been firstly carried out. The optimal exploitation of the information provided by the set of multispectral images has been subsequently addressed by using multimodal matching score fusion techniques that efficiently synthesize complementary meaningful information among different spectra. Due to peculiarities in thermal images, a specific face segmentation algorithm has been required and developed. In the final proposed system, the Discrete Cosine Transform as dimensionality reduction tool and a fractional distance for matching were used, so that the cost in processing time and memory was significantly reduced. Prior to this classification task, a selection of the relevant frequency bands is proposed in order to optimize the overall system, based on identifying and maximizing independence relations by means of discriminability criteria. The system has been extensively evaluated on the multispectral face database specifically performed for our purpose. On this regard, a new visualization procedure has been suggested in order to combine different bands for establishing valid comparisons and giving statistical information about the significance of the results. This experimental framework has more easily enabled the improvement of robustness against training and testing illumination mismatch. Additionally, focusing problem in thermal spectrum has been also addressed, firstly, for the more general case of the thermal images (or thermograms), and then for the case of facialthermograms from both theoretical and practical point of view. In order to analyze the quality of such facial thermograms degraded by blurring, an appropriate algorithm has been successfully developed. Experimental results strongly support the proposed multispectral facial image fusion, achieving very high performance in several conditions. These results represent a new advance in providing a robust matching across changes in illumination, further inspiring highly accurate FR approaches in practical scenarios.El reconeixement facial (FR) ha estat àmpliament estudiat, degut tant als reptes fonamentals científics que suposa com a les aplicacions actuals i futures on requereix la identificació de les persones. Els sistemes de reconeixement facial tenen els avantatges de ser no intrusius,presentar un baix cost dels equips d’adquisició i no la no necessitat d’autorització per part de l’individu a l’hora de realitzar l'adquisició, entre les més importants. De totes maneres i malgrat els avenços aconseguits en els darrers anys i les diferents solucions proposades, el rendiment del FR encara no resulta satisfactori quan es requereixen condicions més exigents (diferents punts de vista, efectes de bloqueig, canvis en la il·luminació, condicions de llum extremes, etc.). Concretament, l'efecte d'aquestes variacions no controlades en les condicions d'il·luminació sobre les imatges facials condueix a una de les distorsions més accentuades sobre l'aparença facial. Aquesta tesi aborda el problema del FR en condicions d'il·luminació menys restringides. Per tal d'abordar el problema, hem adquirit una nova base de dades de cara multisessió i multiespectral en l'espectre infraroig visible, infraroig proper (NIR) i tèrmic (TIR), sota diferents condicions d'il·luminació. En primer lloc s'ha dut a terme una anàlisi teòrica utilitzant la teoria de la informació per demostrar la complementarietat entre les diferents bandes espectrals objecte d’estudi. L'òptim aprofitament de la informació proporcionada pel conjunt d'imatges multiespectrals s'ha abordat posteriorment mitjançant l'ús de tècniques de fusió de puntuació multimodals, capaces de sintetitzar de manera eficient el conjunt d’informació significativa complementària entre els diferents espectres. A causa de les característiques particulars de les imatges tèrmiques, s’ha requerit del desenvolupament d’un algorisme específic per la segmentació de les mateixes. En el sistema proposat final, s’ha utilitzat com a eina de reducció de la dimensionalitat de les imatges, la Transformada del Cosinus Discreta i una distància fraccional per realitzar les tasques de classificació de manera que el cost en temps de processament i de memòria es va reduir de forma significa. Prèviament a aquesta tasca de classificació, es proposa una selecció de les bandes de freqüències més rellevants, basat en la identificació i la maximització de les relacions d'independència per mitjà de criteris discriminabilitat, per tal d'optimitzar el conjunt del sistema. El sistema ha estat àmpliament avaluat sobre la base de dades de cara multiespectral, desenvolupada pel nostre propòsit. En aquest sentit s'ha suggerit l’ús d’un nou procediment de visualització per combinar diferents bandes per poder establir comparacions vàlides i donar informació estadística sobre el significat dels resultats. Aquest marc experimental ha permès més fàcilment la millora de la robustesa quan les condicions d’il·luminació eren diferents entre els processos d’entrament i test. De forma complementària, s’ha tractat la problemàtica de l’enfocament de les imatges en l'espectre tèrmic, en primer lloc, pel cas general de les imatges tèrmiques (o termogrames) i posteriorment pel cas concret dels termogrames facials, des dels punt de vista tant teòric com pràctic. En aquest sentit i per tal d'analitzar la qualitat d’aquests termogrames facials degradats per efectes de desenfocament, s'ha desenvolupat un últim algorisme. Els resultats experimentals recolzen fermament que la fusió d'imatges facials multiespectrals proposada assoleix un rendiment molt alt en diverses condicions d’il·luminació. Aquests resultats representen un nou avenç en l’aportació de solucions robustes quan es contemplen canvis en la il·luminació, i esperen poder inspirar a futures implementacions de sistemes de reconeixement facial precisos en escenaris no controlats.Postprint (published version

Development of an Objective Measurement System for Quality Assessment of Chest Compressions during CPR

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is the third leading cause of death in Europe, with an associated survival rate of only 8%. A rapid and effective intervention of the community with the application of the Basic Life Support (BLS) algorithm and the execution of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), emphasizing chest compressions, can double chances of victim survival. Being CPR of critical impact on victim survival and extremely accessible to all the community, it is important and necessary to guarantee the quality of BLS education, optimizing CPR skills acquisition and knowledge retention. In this context, the use of devices to support CPR training trough real-time feedback are considered by international guidelines an important tool for BLS education as they allow training monitorization and show improvement on CPR training performance and skills acquisition. Based on this educational need, this project presents several approaches, from electronic sensors to exploratory optical fiber technology, for the development of a low-cost feedback device for CPR training, focused on assessing chest compression quality, in order to facilitate a more objective and regular training, potentiating a more effective knowledge acquisition and retention. From all the technologies tested, the selected approaches for prototype development showed great response and robustness to chest compressions during CPR training, providing accurate assessment of specific parameters of chest compressions, according to current international guidelines. Thus, it is expected that the proposed solution could provide an alternative or a complementary tool for CPR skills acquisition and maintenance on BLS education. As future work, it is recommended the inclusion of ventilation related measurements and further development envisioning educational validation.A paragem cardíaca em contexto pré-hospitalar constitui a terceira causa de morte a nível europeu, com uma taxa de sobrevivência associada de apenas 8%. A intervenção rápida e eficaz da comunidade com a aplicação do algoritmo de Suporte Básico de Vida (SBV) e a execução da manobra de Ressuscitação Cardiopulmonar (RCP), com especial ênfase nas compressões torácicas, pode chegar a duplicar a probabilidade de sobrevivência das vítimas. Tendo esta manobra um impacto crucial na sobrevivência, e sendo extremamente acessível e exequível por qualquer membro da comunidade, é essencial e necessário garantir a qualidade da educação em SBV, otimizando a aquisição e retenção de competências de RCP. Neste contexto, o uso de dispositivos que apoiam o treino da manobra de RCP através de feedback em tempo real são considerados pelas diretrizes internacionais ferramentas importantes na educação em SBV, dado que permitem a monitorização do treino e mostram melhorias na performance da manobra e na aquisição de competências. Tendo por base esta necessidade educacional, este projeto apresenta várias abordagens (desde o uso de sensores eletrónicos à exploração do usa da fibra ótica enquanto sensor) para o desenvolvimento de um dispositivo de feedback de custo controlado, com foco na qualidade das compressões torácicas, de maneira a facilitar um treino mais objetivo e regular, que potencie a aquisição e retenção destas competências. De todas as abordagens testadas, a usada no desenvolvimento do protótipo de treino mostrou uma resposta muito adequada e robusta às compressões efetuadas durante o treino de RCP, fornecendo uma leitura e avaliação precisas de parâmetros específicos das compressões torácicas, de acordo com as atuais diretrizes internacionais. Posto isto, espera-se que a solução proposta providencie uma alternativa ou uma ferramenta complementar na aquisição e manutenção das competências de RCP na educação em SBV. Como trabalho futuro, recomenda-se a inclusão dos parâmetros de treino de RCP relacionados com a ventilação e desenvolvimento de estudos de validação educacional

Using Material Culture Lessons to Cultivate Artistic Behaviors and Enrich Students\u27 Conceptual Understanding in an Urban Middle School Classroom

Within art education there is a contradiction between learning opportunities currently provided within the middle school art classroom, specifically in relation to media, and authentic contemporary artistic behavior and practice. Art educators focus instruction on traditional forms of media (i.e. drawing & painting) while evading contemporary art and artists. Much of what contemporary art is today is represented through everyday objects/materials and educators must provide students with an opportunity to experience both inquiry and contemporary art-making through media outside of the canon. Our personal identity, culture, and reality are composed of material forms, which often go unnoticed due to the proliferation of virtual imagery and digital information. Although the integration of emerging technology within visual art pedagogy has obvious benefits to student success in a contemporary society, acknowledgment and appreciation of material culture, the tangible world around us, warrants attention. Art education has many aims, which include both exposure to contemporary art and a heightened sensitivity to the physical world in which we live.;The implementation of a collaborative material culture art project provided opportunities for middle school students to engage meaningfully in relevant cultural inquiry, as well as contemporary art making processes. Through material culture, middle school students were exposed to contemporary art, which extended beyond canonical representation reflecting the authenticity of everyday life. This study revealed how the integration of material culture into a middle school art education curricula can benefit students\u27 understanding of contemporary art and engagement with artistic behavior.;Using case study methodology, this research investigated the effect one specific material culture art lesson had on a single class of middle school students in an urban setting in West Virginia. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential of common materials towards cultivating artistic behaviors and enriching middle-level students\u27 perceptive and conceptual understanding in a contemporary educational context. The research questions, which framed the study included 1) How do material culture lessons promote student understanding of contemporary art in a middle school art class? 2) How do material culture lessons support artistic behavior among middle school students? 3) How do material culture lessons foster appreciation for everyday objects/materials among middle school students? The findings, resulting from the case study, appear to suggest improvements in students\u27 understanding of contemporary art and appreciation for everyday materials/objects, as well as a comprehensive engagement with artistic behaviors