ERIC Number: EJ1216119
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2154-8455
EISSN: N/A
Facilitating Scientific Engagement through a Science-Art Festival
Grimberg, B. Irene; Williamson, Kathryn; Key, Joey Shapiro
International Journal of Science Education, Part B: Communication and Public Engagement, v9 n2 p114-127 2019
The recent discovery and ongoing detection of Einstein's predicted gravitational waves offers an exciting opportunity for engaging the general public in science. In order to reach a wide range of people with different science-art identities, levels of physics expertise, age, and gender, the "Celebrating Einstein" festival merges science, dance, and music. Festival components include: (1) a danced lecture with choreography inspired by representations of black holes and gravitational waves, and (2) live interviews with physicists that address issues of science, philosophy, religion, art, and education. We assessed the impact of this festival by deploying a pre- and post-event survey at three "Celebrating Einstein" festivals hosted in different sites in the United States (Northern, Southern, and Central), and by interviewing a subset of attendees at one location. This study focuses on participants' knowledge gain, interest in science, and emotional reactions towards this science-art event. We explored how knowledge gain varies by participant demographics, how it correlates with an increased interest in science and intention to attend future science-art events, and how participants engaged emotionally. Results indicate that the science-art format effectively reached a wide range of demographic groups, significantly increased participants' knowledge, interest in science and science-art events, and broadened their perception of scientists.
Descriptors: STEM Education, Art Education, Science Education, Science Fairs, Science Activities, Integrated Activities, Physics, Dance, Music, Scientific Concepts, Science Interests, Learner Engagement, Instructional Effectiveness, Scientific Literacy, Audience Response
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A