South Middlesex Times

Creativity is essential in every step of the scientific process, asserts a team of Rutgers researchers. The team has put together a short film titled Tools of Science: Creativity to showcase the critical role of creativity in scientific endeavors.

“We want to show the critical linkage between creativity, the generation of ideas, and the scientific process. They are all integral. If you remove creativity, science doesn’t blossom, and you can’t address or answer questions, especially complex, grand challenge questions about how the world works,” said Kay Bidle, a professor in the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences at Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.

The film features scenes shot at the Rutgers Marine Field Station in Tuckerton, N.J., and at sea on oceanographic research vessels. It aims to provide a realistic view of science and engineering practices, illustrating how scientists develop novel ways to acquire data and collaborate in real-life lab and field experiments.

Marine scientist Kim Thamatrakoln, another contributor to the film, emphasized the importance of creativity in science, stating, “Science does not often yield simple right-or-wrong or yes-or-no answers.”

The film depicts a team of scientists from Rutgers collaborating with colleagues from various institutions to study the carbon cycle in the ocean, particularly focusing on phytoplankton-derived ocean particles known as “marine snow.” The researchers aim to determine the fate of these particles and their impact on carbon dioxide levels in the ocean and atmosphere.

“We want students to see, through the film and the lessons, how cool science really is,” said Janice McDonnell, an associate professor and STEM agent at Rutgers.

Educators who have used the Tools of Science series in classrooms have praised the videos for effectively illustrating the working lives of scientists and promoting scientific thinking skills among students.

“This is an important takeaway for students and hopefully it will open the door for students who never thought of their creative talents as being important in the science world,” said Nancy FitzGerald, a retired teacher who introduced the videos to her students.

The film, funded by the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and the National Science Foundation, aims to inspire students to consider careers in STEM fields by showcasing the creativity and innovation inherent in scientific research.