Distinguished Professor of Psychology Rick Wesp, Ph.D., has always been interested in Caribbean culture. With a desire to spread his passion, Dr. Wesp has taken students to the Virgin Islands for the past 13 years.<\/p>\n
During his most recent vacation to Antigua, Dr. Wesp was invited to speak to students at the Tabernacle Academy Primary School.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted students there to understand how our brains interpret size and distance and how an understanding of those processes can help student artists more realistically portray scenes in their artwork,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Dr. Wesp had students draw examples of size illusions and then had them draw a picture applying what they learned.
\n\u201cThese drawings by the students were able to incorporate depth concepts,\u201d he said. \u201cThe teacher at the school informed me that she would use these ideas in the progression of her class.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Wesp also visited local universities to speak with faculty about possible collaborations. He will take on any international educational opportunity he can get his hands on \u2014even if it means he\u2019s doing it while he\u2019s on a family vacation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese opportunities really open my eyes to different cultures,\u201d he said. \u201cI take back everything I learn around the world and bring it right back to my ESU classroom.\u201d<\/p>\n