Narratives are well known as drivers for learning, but they can be hard to present in exhibitions with free visitor flow. On the other hand, shows are much appreciated among science centre and museum visitors and with a seated audience we get a better chance to unfold narratives.
In this session, four science centres will share the challenges, limitations and opportunities they encountered in developing science shows with a narrative. You will experience two of the science shows live and be invited to take part in a conversation with the people behind them. Together we will explore how narratives in shows can strengthen our reflections on science and whether narratives suit some science topics better than others.
Facilitator
Session speakers
Storyteller / edutainer
Mechelen
Belgium
Griet will perform Technopolis' show “Robin goes to the moon" : about processes created with heat, fuel and oxygen. Robin and her teddy bear, Houston, are building a rocket to go to the moon and have to find fuel for the voyage. Dialogue through a teddy bear, heating sweets to burn as well as a ‘shrik-e-nizer’ is needed for the explainer to set off.”
Together with Marilena she will discuss how much explaining we need to do in science shows and how to avoid that the explaining gets in the way of a good story.
Senior Public Engagement Officer
Newcastle upon Tyne
United Kingdom
Marilena Pace and Griet Bouciqué will discuss how much of an explanation we need in science shows and how to stop the act of explaining from getting in the way of a good story.
Marilena will contribute with her experience of developing, delivering shows and training others to get the best out of a show with a narrative.
Leader of science explainer team
Warsaw
Poland
Marta Iglewska and Danielle Grandeville will discuss what it takes to perform shows with narratives when the 'actors' have no acting education nor technical assistance and the show should run at as low costs as possible. Marta will also share her experiences in these topics, enriching her story with video and photographic material, straight from Copernicus!
Education Supervisor
Copenhagen
Denmark
Danielle Grandeville will introduce Experimentarium's Inventions Show about how everything apart from nature is invented by people. A robot communicating with animations, and light-, vapour- and sound-effects support the explainers' story of how six inventions changed our lives, for better and worse. Danielle will discuss what it takes to perform shows with narratives when the 'actors' have no acting education nor technical assistance and the show should run at as low costs as possible.