Summative Evaluation of Fusion Science Theater Planning Grant

In summary, this Planning Grant has demonstrated that the Fusion Science Theater mode successfully uses the dramatic structure of a play to create an investigative, participatory theater event that conveys science information, concepts, and methodology in a way that is engaging to children and attractive to parents and educators. The model can be transferred to others both by teaching others to develop their own shows and by training undergraduates to perform FST shows that have already been created. Finally, significant achievements have occurred in publicizing the model and in recruiting others to join in learning and using it. For these reasons, the FST approach makes a significant contribution to the field of Informal Science Education as it infuses the discipline with new products, methods, and practitioners.