Art meets Science Plays
Two plays are now available for performances in the classroom. The actors who take part are UC students in DramaSoc, whose enthusiasm and humour bring alive the science topics treated.
These plays are available through generous funding from the Canterbury Community Trust.
These are some of the comments from the recent audiences:
"I really enjoyed the humour and learning together", "It was awesome. The characters kept in character well", "It was an awesome play and it was way better than a science lesson", "It was fun we should do it again".
A selection of teachers' comments show how effective the plays are:
"Thoroughly recommend it. Relates well in development of thinking"
"Great fun and great insights into the progression of scientific thinking. Excellent involvement of students in mixed groups,"
"Schools need more of this sort of stimulation for students – a fabulous initiative"
"Students engaged and clearly enjoyed it….high standard of professionalism from the group both in their performance and in the way they conducted themselves"
In 2012 the plays can be booked in:
week of 25-29 June
week of 20-24 August
week of 12-16 November
"The Pegasus Files"
Set in today's world this play examines one family's difficulties when faced with information about the genetic make-up of their children.
The action is set in a family court, where evidence is given by both family members and expert witnesses. Some of this evidence is in the form of PowerPoint presentations which cover basic genetics and heredity.
Further details would give away the plot but if teachers would like to know more they can contact us. Suitable for Years 9-11 who have studied human reproduction and/or genetics and year 12 & 13 Biology, this play will appeal to a wide audience.
For booking information, see below.
“From the Curious to the Sublime
”
... is an interactive play for year 9, 10 and 11 students. It examines the shift in scientific thinking from the 1700s to the 1800s, centring around two characters: Elias Cashmole, a Curiousi in England , and James Hutton, a Scottish geologist and experimental farmer.
The Play itself
Act 1 is set in Elias Cashmole's study in 1720. Elias Cashmole is a curiousi- a wealthy man who collects curiosities. He is fascinated by the rare, novel and outstanding objects which can be collected from around the world. His collection includes rare and exotic animals, shells, fossils, body parts, weapons, coins, to name but a few. All of these objects were admired as examples of God's work and were to be marvelled at rather than explained or classified. During this scene a train of visitors attempt to sell a curiosity to Elias to enlarge his collection.
The class is divided into groups, each one allocated to an actor, and given a curiosity to examine and to invent a story to explain its significance. Each group must then attempt to sell the object to Elias Cashmole. This is attempted against the clock. If successful, the group is given a promissory note for a sum of money.
The action then shifts to the Oyster Club in Scotland in the early 1800s. James Hutton and his erudite friends are discussing recent ideas about geological time, extinction and fossils. Some of the objects sold to Elias Cashmole in Act 1 are re-examined and their true origins established.
With the understanding
of the age of the Earth, each group of students now has the task of suggesting what their curiosity really is, and attempts to sell it once more, this time to Hutton. The sum they are paid is this time dependent on the quality of their scientific argument.
We finish by awarding small prizes to the members of the group which has won the highest amount of money in selling their curiosity.
General Booking information
The plays are performed to one class at a time to keep the interaction in small groups. Ideally we need to set up 30 minutes (minimum) before the lesson starts, in a room slightly larger than a classroom, and the class comes to that room. If several classes are to see the play during the day this is more convenient.
Props :
"From the Curious to the Sublime"
We need 2 tables (trestles are fine) which we drape, and four chairs. If armchairs, wooden library chairs or a sofa are available that is a bonus, but not vital.
"Pegasus Files":
We will need four chairs and three small tables. A white board and data projector to project the slides are important. If these are not available please let us know so that we can bring them along
Timing : The plays are designed to last about 50 minutes so can be performed within a normal class period.
Charges : There is no charge for the performances, owing to a generous donation from the Canterbury Community Trust.
Facilities for the actors : We do need a small area off to the side where actors can change their coats and pick up props. Ideally this would be screened off from the main action but this is not vital.
Other information : We expect the class teacher to be present during the entire performance.
To book: please email outreach@canterbury.ac.nz or phone Joan Gladwyn on (03) 364-2178.