What is a Science Investigation Show?

Our Science Investigation Shows use theater to promote science.  This is not new.  Theatrical forms like stage plays about scientists, chemical demonstration shows that feature spectacular phenomenon, and physical dramatizations (better known as Creative Dramatics) have been used to engage children in science for decades.  Fusion Science Theater’s Science Investigation Shows (SI Shows) are unique in that they combine the aforementioned forms to create shows that are (A) inquiry-based, (B) highly participatory, (C) verifiably educational.

The SI Shows are designed to be inquiry-based by using the process of investigation as the plot or story.  This investigation is launched by an Investigation Question; the answer to this question is the learning objective of the show.  Once the Investigation Question is introduced, the rest of the show (including demonstrations and physical modeling) provide the audience with the evidence they need to answer it.

Every element of the SI Show invites interaction from the audience.   Children volunteer observations, answer questions, participate in call and response, and play the role of atoms or molecules in the Act-It-Out segments that model the show’s fundamental concept.  They also vote by ballot to indicate their choice for the answer to the Investigation Question.  This embedded assessment allows us to measure the cognitive gains resulting from the show.  A pre-and post-show questionnaire measures children’s attitudes and self-efficacy.  All of our SI Shows have a statistically significant impact on children’s concept knowledge, belief that science is interesting, and confidence in their ability to learn science.  See our summative evaluation for three SI Shows on the InformalScience.org site.

The SI Shows can be presented with simple sets that are easily transported.  Three people are required to produce a show—two on stage and one who runs sound and contributes behind-the-scenes support.