Björk’s science- and music-exploring 2011 app album Biophilia is in the process of being added to the school curriculums of several north European countries, according to reports.
The singer has apparently been spending time in her native Iceland this spring developing the Biophilia Educational Programme alongside a group of Scandinavian educationalists. First developed between Björk, researchers and music and science teachers from Reykjavik, the program is described in press materials as a "multimedia exploration of the universe," and had previously been used informally at schools in Paris, Los Angeles, and Buenos Aires.
Said to "inspire children to explore their own creativity, and to learn about music and science through new technologies," the program is built around the Biophilia app, which utilizes touch screen technology to link together lessons on music and science. An interview with The Observer [via the Guardian/Consequence of Sound] had Björk noting that the program "really popular with kids who have ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) or dyslexia," with the app’s approach to lessons straying from the "classroom-bound, traditional nature."
Intended to be used by students between the ages of 8 and 15, you can see a video of the hands-on app being used during an educational workshop in Reykjavik down below.
In related news, the Biophilia app has become the first to be inducted into the Museum of Modern Art in New York, where it is now part of gallery’s permanent collection.
Björk had planned to reprogram the app for Windows 8 and Android, but she halted the fundraiser after reaching $26,000 of its $630,000 goal. She noted at the time, "The costs were too gigantic and we too optimistic, so it seemed cleverest to pause it for now."
