Puppetry as a provocative medium in energy education: twelve original puppet plays for grades 4 through 6
Energy shortages of the mid-1970's stimulated interest in energy education in the United States. The preponderance of educational materials that have been developed for the elementary grades are cognitive study units. They perform effectively in teaching energy concepts but they tend to be limited to the scientific and technological realms. The arts have not been employed in many major ways in energy education. The arts have the ability to increase a child's interest in cognitive units by providing the provocation for exploring the subject further. The arts also permit the exploration of ethical questions that arise in discussions of energy. This dissertation includes twelve original plays entitled collectively, Captain Energy and the Good Guys Club. They were written as provocative puppet plays to stimulate interest in energy with children in grades 4 through six. Puppetry was chosen as the theatrical presentation form for several reasons. It has natural appeal to children. Also, puppetry permits the creation of magical qualities that are desired as special effects in the exploration of energy themes. Puppetry is also a very mobile theatrical form that can be used with a limited number of performers or puppeteers. The Good Guys puppets were designed and constructed as part of this project and a performance audio tape was made. The first two plays were produced and performed for more than 600 students in the target age group.
- OSTI ID:
- 6743987
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English