Science Saves The Day
Science Saves the Day is an exciting science-fiction story that explores real-life environmental issues and empowers children to solve problems using science.
By engaging the audience imaginatively, the play makes science enjoyable and provides a strong foundation for post-performance exercises via Teacher's notes that accompany the performance. 
After conducting a scientific study, which introduces the audience to scientific methodology and the concept of ecosystems, Doctor Sarr concludes that his favourite bird, the Plains Wanderer, is being threatened by feral animals and habitat loss. Convinced nobody will help them, Sarr makes a daring plan - he'll steal a spaceship and build a bird refuge station on Mars!
After a close encounter with security guards and a radio mast, Sarr flies into space only to discover young Eunice has stowed on-board. Her interest isn't science. She wants to increase her Facebook likes – a plan that goes tragically wrong when she discovers there's no internet!
More importantly, how can two people live in a spaceship designed for one? How can they grow more food? How can they conserve water? The solutions are provided by the audience. |
Arriving on Mars, they discover hidden under a layer of ice, a stunning world of flowers and alien 'bees'. Eunice however accidentally releases the grass from Earth and it stops the 'bees' from feeding. Sarr releases grasshoppers to eat the grass but they
attack the flowers instead. 
Using the scientific ideas they've encountered, can the audience help Doctor Sarr save the Martian environment? Returning to Earth, can they think of ways to save the Plains Wanderer?
Written & performed by Mark Penzak. Paintings by Kenneth MacLeod. Props by Eliza-Jane Gilchrist and Tim Bray.
Capabilities: Sustainability, Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social, Ethical Victorian Curriculum Links: Learning about Sustainability, Sciences Technologies, The Arts - Drama & Media Arts, Personal and Social Capability. |