Medical College of Wisconsin
Electronic Communications: Social Media
Gold
Launched in April 2022, “Project Wonder: The Art of Science at the Medical College of Wisconsin” partners basic and translational scientists with local artists and writers to elevate and amplify their innovative, life-changing research and its impact through bold, imaginative, one-of-a-kind artistic representations.
Each “Project Wonder” piece is created with a dynamic and eye-catching visual. Subsequently, each installation includes an in-depth explanation of the science behind the image and background information on the investigator responsible for the research. Promoted across Instagram; Facebook; X, formerly known as Twitter; and LinkedIn, this campaign has reached millions of people nationally.
What was the most impactful part of your entry?
On the surface, medical research is thought to be dense and dull; however, what we found during this project is that there is so much exquisite beauty in even the most intricate, complex science. The most impactful part of this project was sharing this finding with our Wisconsin community that otherwise would not encounter the research being conducted at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Our community’s feedback has been overwhelmingly filled with surprise and wonder that bench research can also take your breath away. We have found that the impact of showcasing this beauty to the world has led to an increase in curiosity in science and research.
What is one thing you learned from your entry/experience?
The most significant thing learned through this project is that the fields of humanities and science are inextricably connected. There is an art to everything, including scientific research. Talking with our researchers and pairing them alongside artists to produce a piece, one would think their vastly different backgrounds and experiences would create an awkward dynamic not conducive to creating a coherent product. Instead, our team found quite the opposite: The artists and scientists almost unanimously gelled together and came out of the experiences with appreciation for each other’s craft. The most important lesson learned from this project is that everyone, at some level, is both an artist and a scientist.
Contact: Alex Krouse
akrouse@mcw.edu