When
Tuesday 4th Feb, 11:00 am

Where
Room B1

Hashtag
#T9

Category
Impact

Presenter
Jo Elliott

Abstract

If we argue that the public needs to be informed about science (eg. Pedretti, 2002), then it is necessary to communicate science in an engaging and accessible manner. This can be achieved through the use of interactive theatre. Pedretti (2002) discussed the ability of drama to evoke emotional responses in audiences, arguing that emotional engagement creates a memorable experience.

In this session, we will:

• Discuss the theory underlying the use of theatre to communicate science, with a particular focus on engaging new audiences and arousing emotions;
• Present research on theatre featuring science demonstrations (‘science shows’) that aims to motivate and influence audience behaviour related to climate change and health (exciting demonstrations will be used to illustrate key points);
• Present a case study of “The Clock”, an interactive theatre performance designed to engage regional Australian audiences with science in a way that is both accessible and entertaining;
• Discuss the evaluation of “The Clock” and its impact on audiences.

Pedretti, E. (2002). T. Kuhn Meets T. Rex: Critical Conversations and New Directions in Science Centres and Science Museums. Studies in Science Education, 37(1), 1-41. doi: 10.1080/03057260208560176