Really creative science teaching and learning allows for multiple possibilities both in terms of thinking and spaces.
Possibility thinking is about shifting from what is, to what might be, using the simple question ‘what if?’. In creative science teaching, it is important to know when it is appropriate to narrow or broaden thinking in the context of asking ‘what if’ questions, so that teachers and learners can capture interesting new ideas.
The performing arts are extremely good at creating spaces to generate new ideas: music can create dynamic listening spaces, dance works with bodily relationships in space, drama can change who we are, and give us new perspectives on the world through role taking.
Example:
The UK Fun Palaces are a great example of this openness to possibilities. The organisation believes ‘in the genius of everyone, that everyone is an artist and everyone is a scientist and that creativity in the community can change the world for the better’. Their project allows people to get immersed in connected science-arts experiences and playfully experiment with questions and processes. The outcomes show how vast the potential is for exploring ideas and constantly asking ‘what if?’