Humanistic STEM Symposium Explores Intersection of Science, Art and Innovation
The Worldwide College of Arts & Sciences recently hosted the 2026 Humanistic STEM Symposium, a multi-day event highlighting the intersection of science, technology and humanities.
The symposium began with Symphonies of Science, an immersive performance by composer David Ibbett that translated space data into music. The event drew more than 130 attendees across campuses, both virtually and in-person at the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium at Embry-Riddle Prescott and the Lowell and Nancy Lohman Planetarium at the Daytona Beach Museum of Arts & Sciences.
The remainder of the symposium, held at the Jim W. Henderson Administration & Welcome Center and streamed via Zoom, featured speakers whose work spans algorithmic art, science fiction, astrophysics, public art and experimental instrument design. The program emphasized how creativity, storytelling and design contribute to scientific discovery and innovation.
“Humanistic STEM brings together technical rigor and creative inquiry to help us better understand and address complex challenges,” said Dr. Christina Reynolds, assistant professor of the practice in the Department of Mathematics, Science and Technology. “It expands how we think about innovation by including imagination, ethics, storytelling and design.”
Throughout the day, speakers explored how their disciplines intersect with science and technology. Kenneth Vaden, assistant professor at the Medical University of South Carolina, examined how coding and data visualization inform generative art, while Embry-Riddle Worldwide alumnus Joshua Dalzelle discussed how scientific knowledge fuels storytelling and inspires future engineers. Dr. Frank Summers from the Space Telescope Science Institute demonstrated how astrophysical data can be transformed into visual narratives that make complex space science more accessible.
Additional sessions highlighted the role of art in public systems and craftsmanship in innovation. Prenisha Reid of the Atlanta Airport Art Program discussed how public art shapes experiences in large-scale infrastructure, and violinmaker Andrew Carruthers explored the relationship between acoustics, engineering and artistic design.
The symposium also featured a screening of The MiG-21 Project documentary, followed by a discussion with Museum of Flight exhibits developer Cody Othoudt. The project demonstrated how engineering, history and art can transform a symbol of conflict into one of resilience and collaboration.
Together, the events highlighted the growing role of humanistic perspectives in STEM, demonstrating how integrating creativity and technical expertise can expand understanding and drive innovation.