Using Drama in Science Education and for Sustainability Issues

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to illuminate how transdisciplinary drama involvements can be used in socio-scientific issues especially connected to sustainable development. Drama activities may explore affective dimensions and opportunities for practicing action and agency concerning sustainability. A pedagogical framework of role play activities will be presented. In order for students to incorporate the complexity of sustainable development issues, they engage in bodily experiences in educational drama. Drama and role play afford complex arenas in which students can explore diverse affective dimensions and opportunities for practicing action and agency. Using drama as an educational tool in sustainability issues, provides a transdisciplinary learning activity typical for socio-scientific matters in science education, and maintains the core of drama education; exploring and experiencing affective dimensions. By for instance, using semi-structured role plays, students play out and explore decision-making situations in different roles where they utilize acquired knowledge from a number of disciplines in addition to science and simultaneously in the encounter, together reflect upon and build new transdisciplinary knowledge about issues of sustainability. Being in role, enforces the students to also consider personal values and ethical concerns.