Campus News

Oberlin in Photos: The Art of Science

April 7, 2020

Yvonne Gay

A drawing of a man in a space suite looking into a moon crater with a tentacle sticking out.
“The Liquid to Life: The Potential Behind the Presence of Water in Our Solar System”
Photo credit: Illustration by Aria Berryman ’21

Since its re-emergence in 2015, Oberlin’s student-run, general interest science publication—the Synapse has intrigued readers with subject matter such as the first human head transplant to how algorithms can create realistic faces from scratch. And leading those articles are impactful illustrations that become stories all their own. In this photo series, we look at this publication’s art of science.


a person sitting at a computer with a converter belt attached to it.
The Fragile Helix: Damage, Repair, Disease, Cell, Death” Illustration by Aria Berryman ‘21
A girl sitting under a large tree.
Current issue of the Synapse. Illustration by Athina Apazidiz  ’21
A dark illustration with circles on it.
Fires in the Night Sky: All About Aurorae” Illustration by Yue Yu ’20
A person slumped in the corner of the room
Beyond Brain and Body: New Perspectives on Performance Anxiety” Illustration by Zoë Miller  ’22
A drawing of a a pair of hands holding a folded camera.
Foldscope” Illustration by Aria Berryman ’21
A painting of a large bee.
What’s Actually Going on with the Bees?: I See the Slogan and Can’t Help But Wonder… What’s Actually Going On with the Bees and Why Do They Need Our Help?” Painting by Averly Sheltraw ’22
A drawing of the Earth with lines running through it.
The Anthropocene: How Modern Geologists are Creating a Paradigm Shift in Our Concept of Time” Illustration by Steven Mentzer ‘20

Visit the Synapes for articles and illustrations

You may also like…

This Week in Photos: Perfectly Pitched

June 1, 2022

Students in the Class of 2022 walk down a shaded pathway that joins a large tent nestled in a backyard on Forest Street. They will soon be welcomed by their host, President Carmen Twillie Ambar, into a spring day senior garden party.
Students along a covered platform.

This Week in Photos: Rhythm

May 6, 2022

The artistic display of dance, poetry, and music that students brought to the stage in Finney Chapel marked the return of a cherished Oberlin tradition—Colors of Rhythm. The annual talent showcase highlights the work of students of color, and serves as inspiration for this week’s photo series.
Two students wearing cultural robes dance on a stage.

This Week in Photos: Dancing, Swimming, Singing, Celebrating

December 14, 2021

A student takes a few steps on a ladder and stretches one arm to the top of a large glowing menorah in the center of Tappan Square. The gold branched candelabra and flames glisten against the night sky, and those surrounding it look up at its brilliance. This Oberlin community gathering, in celebration of the last night of Hanukkah, leads off this week’s photo series.
A girl lights a large menorah.