Professional Bio

Holly Walter Kerby founded founded Fusion Science Theater to develop a new model of outreach show that uses theater and theater in education practices to teach to basic science concepts. Fusion Science Theater's Science Investigation Shows are launched by an "investigation question" and use a version of the scientific method as a plot. Children participate in the shows through call and response, making observations, and playing the role of atoms and molecules in a dynamic model of the basic concept. Embedded assessment indicates that the shows increase children's interest in and confidence in their ability to do science as well as their understanding of the basic concept. Fusion Science Theater is funded by a planning grant from the National Science Foundation, Dreyfus Special Grant in the Chemical Sciences, and the Robert and Elizabeth Muller Foundation.

Kerby holds degrees in chemistry and soil biochemistry from the College of Wooster and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She studied playwriting at Western Michigan University and University of Wisconsin-Madison and completed a Teacher Certification Program at the latter institution. Kerby is a member of the Dramatists Guild, America Chemical Society, National Science Teachers Association, and International Museum Theater Alliance.

Expertise & Interest Descriptors

playwright, theater, using theater to teach science, science as performance, science theater, participatory learning, science-art collaboration, science outreach events, community college

Planned Conference Participation