Drawing, photography and Biology. Building up science with and from the image

Abstract

From immemorial times the human being has had the need to organize and describe his world and so the graphic representations have been one of the best ways to achieve that end as shown by rock paintings. The scientific illustration has gone together with the process of birth and development of the Natural Sciences. Among the most significant milestones of the history of the Biological Sciences it is possible to find graphic productions that have been vital to explain the scientific constructions that have been developing. Despite the fact that the drawing in the field of the science is also a form of art, it is differentiated from the artistic drawing considering the simple but necessary correspondence that there should be with the natural world that intends to explain and describe. In the current scientific publications drawing and picture complement each other, they are not mutually exclusive. The new technologies and digital support strengthen and widen the possibilities of the classical scientific illustration and photography. The teaching and learning of the Natural Science at intermediate levels, should necessarily demand the use of scientific illustration. Science is learnt by reading and writing within it, as well as observing and drawing. The photography in practical laboratory activities, carried out by the students themselves and with the use of technological elements of everyday use (for example, cell phones), is a highly advisable pedagogical tool to teach science.