Engaging children in geosciences through storytelling and creative dance

Abstract. Natural sciences have traditionally been disseminated in outreach activities as formal one-way presentations. Nevertheless, innovative strategies are being increasingly developed using arts, gaming, sketching, amongst others. This work aimed at testing an alternative and innovative way to engage non-expert audiences in ocean and coastal geology, through creative dancing. An informal education activity focusing on ocean dynamics was designed for 10-year-old students. It combines coastal science concepts (wind, waves, currents, and sand), storytelling techniques (narrative arc), and creative dance techniques (movement, imaginative play, and sensory engagement). A sequence of six exercises was proposed starting in the generation of offshore ocean waves and ending with sediment transport on the beach, during storm/fair-weather conditions. Scientific concepts were then translated into structured creative movements, within imaginary scenarios, and accompanied by sounds or music. The activity was performed six times summing 112 students. It was an inclusive activity given that all students in the class participated, including children with several mild types of cognitive and neurological impairment. The Science & Art activity aroused emotions of enjoyment and pleasure, and allowed an effective communication between scientists and school public. Moreover, the results provide evidence of the activity effectiveness to engage children and to develop their willingness to further participate in similar activities.