Drama in the Science Classroom: Reimagining the Teaching of Natural and Life Sciences

The low levels of interest by students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-related subjects and work is a challenge that needs to be resolved. And research has shown that arts-based, participatory, and humanistic methodologies-when integrated with the teaching of STEM subjects-have the potential to stimulate student interest, facilitate epistemological access, and hence, improve performance. Thus, in this self-study research paper, two science teacher educators share and reflect on their observations and experiences of using an arts-based teaching methodology (drama) in teaching science concepts and socioscientific issues to pre-service teachers training to be high school teachers. Drama activities were used to teach the concepts of diffusion, DNA structure, meiosis, and a socio-scientific issue associated with albinism in African communities. Data were collected through the development of drama scripts, journaling observations, reflections, and discussions with a critical friend. Insights from the study show that the integration of drama into the science classroom creates opportunities for social interaction, for recognising students' active participation in their own learning, for power sharing, and for promoting engagement (cognitive, affective, and physical) that leads to the construction of new knowledge. In addition, drama pedagogy humanises science subject matter by showing its relevance and catering for varied learning styles. And drama ignites enthusiasm in students by invoking their innate sense of wonder. Consequently, adopting a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) approach to teaching STEM subjects enriches epistemological access to scientific disciplines because such unconventional pedagogical strategies humanise abstract concepts, thereby increasing the likelihood of student success in these fields. There is, however, a need for heightened alertness in the teacher in order to pick up any misunderstandings and misconceptions about the science concepts that may manifest in the drama presentations.