Evaluation of Fusion Science Theater
Fusion Science Theater is an innovative program in which science educators, theater educators, science outreach professionals, and theater artists create science presentations that are fun and exciting, with the goal of interesting young children in careers in science. Created through a collaboration of scientists and educators from Madison Area Technical College (MATC) and UW-Madison, the program's goal is to make informal science education (and ultimately classroom science) both engaging and educational. The program uses concepts from theater to involve the audience actively in the investigative process. Evaluation is embedded in the shows by having children "vote" for what they think is the right answer before and after engaging in the lesson. Researchers from the Center for Communication Research are performing the ongoing evaluation for this project.
Outcomes
The evaluation research has shown that children's knowledge of the concepts taught increases significantly after exposure, and that children's attitudes toward science increase as well as their feelings of efficacy in understanding science. The findings have been featured in the "Journal of Chemical Education" and in news outlets.
Focus Areas
Project Leader
Joanne Cantor
Outreach Director, Center For Communication Research
- School or College
- College of Letters & Science