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Angela Rossen is combining her skill as an artist and her love of snorkeling to excite children about science.

The Oceans Institute Artist in Residence Seagrass Project brings art to science and science to schools through artworks and biodiversity workshops in primary schools.

"The ocean is a place of amazing beauty, but many people are unaware of what lives under the water," Angela said. "Here in Western Australia we have exceptional abundance and diversity of both plant and animal marine species."

During this residency Angela is examining the diversity and beauty of West Australia's seagrass meadows and the living things that shelter within them. Based at the CSIRO Floreat site, Angela is developing a seagrass series of paintings and multi media works that will be exhibited at the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery in 2016.

"Seagrass is a vital resource which not only provides nursery and food to many marine species but also filters seawater, stabilises the near shore sand, produces more oxygen per square meter than terrestrial forests and acts as a carbon sink. It is undervalued by most because of a lack of understanding. If you go for a snorkel you will be amazed at what you can find on the reefs and in the seagrass meadows. Go slowly and look carefully."

The project is a collaboration with Emeritus Winthrop Professor Di Walker whose extensive work in the area of seagrass is highly regarded. The School of Plant Biology is a major contributor in Australia to the study of seagrass ecology, management and revegetation. Angela and Professor Walker are collaborating on a book documenting the life of Western Australian seagrass meadows.

Working with other researchers at the Oceans Institute, Angela joins field trips, which she documents, and attends seminars, to inform her work. Some of her paintings are based on particular research projects. "It is great working with scientists because they are extremely focused and always passionate about what they do," she said.

As part of the residency, Angela conducts workshops with teachers in schools and pre-service teachers at the Graduate School of Education. The teachers learn that biological sciences can be a vehicle for engagement across different learning areas. "Observing and recording can be done through different art media which are a lot of fun and a great way to teach and for children to learn," she said.

Angela also presents Environmental Science Art Workshops in schools involving children in biodiversity and conservation.

"Children are visual learners and really enjoy making observations and field sketches on the beach. My drawing lessons simply encourage their natural inclination to discover."

The children first draw in the field and then, building on the field work, draw in the classroom with reference to local field guides. They work collaboratively to create a large painting that is a careful survey of the biodiversity from the site of the field trip. Angela paints the background and the children add the living things.

"These paintings are not only a thing of great pride for all who take part, but remain at the school as a learning tool for the wider school community," Angela said.

Discussion about how scientists gather information by careful observation and how that data informs good decision-making is an important part of the workshops.

Angela also talks with the school groups about research at the Oceans Institute. She is helping volunteer OI postgraduate students to connect with school groups.

"Young scientists can bring the scientific method to life for children and show them that science is not only an exciting thing to do but also very necessary," she said. "Now more than ever the natural world needs champions.

"It is important to allow children leisurely exploration and discovery of the natural world.  We must show children the beauty, diversity and fragility of nature so that they will love it for its own sake, want to conserve it and want to learn its secrets for themselves."

More of the school workshops and Angela's studio work can be seen on her website at www.angelarossen.com or contact [email protected] .