Darwin’s Journey: Learning Science Through Theater

• In Event: Poster Session 20
  In Poster Session: Exploring Science Education

Abstract

Theatre is often introduced to science museums to liven up exhibits, attract visitors and help digest difficult content. This study investigates the learning outcomes of such a theatre play on Darwin and evolution in a science museum. Viewers seemed to have assimilated well the three explicit educational messages of the play: the context of Darwin's journeys, that animals are adapted to their environments and animals can evolve over time. No evidence was found for development of educational concepts beyond the scope of the play. Children demonstrated positive attitudes towards the play and mentioned humor and active participation as provoking positive emotions. Parents appreciated the learning environment and saw it as a welcomed intermission within the museum visit.

Authors

• Ran Peleg, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

• Ayelet Baram-Tsabari, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology