The Creative Side of Science
Check out Academy publications and attend upcoming events to learn why imagination is a prerequisite for good science.
Published October 17, 2012

Humans have an amazing ability to think beyond the borders of present-day reality—to imagine scenarios that do not, or have yet to, exist. It is precisely this capacity for imagination that allows people to excel at science, technology, and engineering. People in scientific and technical fields spend their days seeking new ideas and alternatives to the status quo. And for that, creativity is critical.
Below, we present Academy publications, podcasts, and events to get your creative juices flowing. Learn how imagination manifests in the lab, the classroom, the kitchen, and even in your dreams—and how it all relates to science.
![]() | MagazineYour Creative MindWhy is creativity so important to scientific success? And what can scientists do to boost flagging creativity? Read about how creativity may just be a scientist's secret weapon in the new bonus issue of The New York Academy of Sciences Magazine. |
![]() | eBriefingBiology and Art: Two Worlds or One?Are science and art at odds, or can they influence each for mutual benefit? Read about a 2007 conference that paired artists with scientists to explore the related themes in their work. |
![]() | PodcastScience Stories Ep. 1: Have Lobster, Will TravelThink teaching middle school science doesn't require imagination? Think again! Listen to Kelly Vaughan recount her efforts to transport crustaceans to the classroom in an attempt to engage her students. |
![]() | eBriefingThe State of Games in the ClassroomHave you ever wondered whether the amount of time kids spend on digital games, From FoldIt to Angry Birds, will rot their brains or help their development? An increasing body of scientific research demonstrates social, neurological, and learning benefits to people who play games. |
![]() | eBriefingThe Art & Science of Modernist Cuisine: An Evening with Nathan MyhrvoldLearn how Myhrvold, a former Microsoft CTO, combines a passion for food with a scientific approach to cuisine in his book Modernist Cuisine: the Art and Science of Cooking. You'll also read about some of Myhrvold's most adventurous meals, from dried shark to Sardinian "maggot cheese." |
![]() | EventThe Strange Science of Sleep and DreamsOn Friday, November 9, join Science & the City for a panel that will explore dream worlds and the subconscious. Learn what the mind is doing while we sleep and what animals dream about from special guest David Randall, New York Times best-selling author of Dreamland: Adventures in the Strange Science of Sleep. |
About the New York Academy of Sciences
The New York Academy of Sciences is an independent, not-for-profit organization that since 1817 has been committed to advancing science, technology, and society worldwide. With 25,000 members in 140 countries, the Academy is creating a global community of science for the benefit of humanity. The Academy's core mission is to advance scientific knowledge, positively impact the major global challenges of society with science-based solutions, and increase the number of scientifically informed individuals in society at large. Please visit us online at www.nyas.org.