T39 Advances in In-Service and Pre-Service K–12 Earth Sciences Teacher Preparation and Professional Development

Sunday, 25 September 2016
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Mile High Ballroom 4D

COMEDY IN THE GEOSCIENCES I

Paper number: T39-5
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 2:30 PM – 2:45 PM

Authors

Abstract

Artistic expression inspired by Earth science knowledge and practice can include several forms of comedic performance art. Examples include storytelling, satirical songs, sketch comedy and stand-up monologues. In many cases, comedic expression has origins in the spontaneous humor that takes place in classroom settings. In other cases, “geo-comedy” is created for consumption by practitioners, and is relevant to their professional lives. Three basic examples of comedic performance art are provided in this presentation. The first example is a vignette from an introductory-level lecture in historical geology. The purpose of this vignette is to hook students and keep them engaged in the lecture. Second, a parody of a geologically-themed cinematic blockbuster is performed. If aimed at students, this satire can be modified as an exercise in spotting geologic misconceptions or used by students to identify and define geoscientific vocabulary (and its appropriate uses). If aimed at practitioners, this satire can serve as a form of an “icebreaker,” or merely enjoyed on its own merits. The third performance is a geoscience themed standup comedy monologue, aimed primarily at practitioners.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 48, No. 7

doi: 10.1130/abs/2016AM-283203

© Copyright 2016 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.