As the Mimesis project is coming to an end, we are pleased to present the variety of content, resources and materials created by our project partners over the past two years.
Our consortium has mobilized its expertise and incorporated feedback from teachers in the field to be able to provide a wide range of qualitative content to guide educators in connecting science and theater. We would like to express our gratitude to the participants in our workshops and test activities, who have helped us to improve our content.
Unveiling the Mimesis Set of Resources
The Mimesis Resources provide a comprehensive set of content for science teachers to stimulate classroom discussions on science and society, enhancing STEM skills using theatre and performing arts techniques. The content is designed for students aged 8 to 12 years old. The Mimesis Resources consists of six complementary toolkits, each providing specific teaching and supporting resources.
Toolkit 1 - Implementing a Playful STEAM Approach
At the heart of the Mimesis Project lies the commitment to playful learning and the cultivation of 21st-century skills. Toolkit 1 serves as a gateway to understanding the challenges and benefits of STEAM education, positioning Mimesis as a beacon of innovative pedagogy.
Toolkit 2 - Discovering Theatrical Techniques and Approaches
Toolkit 2 delves into the realm of theatrical techniques, offering educators a treasure trove of strategies to infuse science education with the magic of the performing arts. From physical expression to narrative prowess, Mimesis empowers educators to unlock the full potential of their teaching. The main theatre technics used within Mimesis have been:
Physical theatre, pantomime, and mask theatre: use body movement, bring joy, motivation, and active participation, enhance kinesthetic sense, spatial orientation, balance, coordination, and flexibility, stimulate imagination and creativity
Puppet Theatre: stimulate imagination and fantasy, develop fine motor skills and coordination, enhance concentration and memory and enrich vocabulary, speech and language skills
Role-playing and improvisation: use and practice everything learned to extract new knowledge, create an environment that stimulates cognitive skills, enhance perception and memory, attention retention, learning and decision-making skills, language abilities
Storytelling and creative writing: create and improvise stories using dramatic structures and elements of creative writing, improve analytical thinking and reasoning, handle structures and tracing causal links, support oral and written expression
Toolkit 3 - Understanding and Utilizing Mimesis Activities
Enter the world of "Plays" with Toolkit 3, where interactive and educational proposals await. From immersive exploration of space in "A Matter of Scale" to the captivating storytelling technics of "Famous Kamishibaï", Mimesis activities ignite curiosity and foster deep understanding. Discover our eight plays and the available materials, including guidelines for teachers, resources and printable documentation for students:
A Matter of Scale: Journey through the cosmos with "A Matter of Scale," where students explore the vastness of space through hands-on exploration. This activity not only fosters scientific understanding but also cultivates collaboration and spatial awareness.
Science Storytellers: Unlock the power of storytelling with "Science Storytellers," where students merge scientific concepts with creative expression. Through improvisation, they deepen their understanding while honing communication and problem-solving skills.
The Secret Life of Plankton: Dive into the depths of marine biology with "The Secret Life of Plankton," where students unravel the mysteries of underwater ecosystems. This immersive activity sparks curiosity while fostering empathy and environmental stewardship.
Water Water Everywhere! Explore the wonders of the water cycle with "Water Water Everywhere," a dynamic blend of theatrical games and scientific exploration. Through hands-on activities, students deepen their understanding of earth science while honing communication and problem-solving skills.
Point-Line-Shape-Puppet: Embark on a journey of discovery with "Point-Line-Shape-Puppet," where students explore fundamental mathematical concepts through the art of puppetry. Through imaginative play, they develop a deeper understanding of abstract ideas.
World on Fire: In the midst of pressing environmental challenges, "World on Fire" empowers students to become agents of change. Through collaborative problem-solving, they tackle issues like climate change with creativity and resilience.
Steam Your Body: Engage both body and mind with "Steam Your Body," a dynamic approach to teaching math through movement and creativity. This activity not only reinforces mathematical concepts but also nurtures self-expression and teamwork.
Famous Kamishibaï: Step into the shoes of history's greatest scientists through the art of Kamishibaï. This activity not only hones oratory skills but also instills a profound appreciation for scientific contributions throughout the ages.
Toolkit 4 - Implement Mimesis in a variety of contexts
In our fourth toolbox, discover how to successfully integrate Mimesis into the classroom or other educational contexts (extracurricular, museums, drama classes) with our FAQs, tips and success stories.
Toolkit 5 - Create scripts and scenarios with Mimesis
In the fifth toolbox, learn how to develop scenarios based on Mimesis activities to integrate performing arts techniques into the science classroom, and design creative, inspiring activities that engage students and foster a fun, inclusive learning environment.
Toolkit 6 - Exploring our video tutorials
Discover our 8 video tutorials dedicated to teachers and educators, illustrating the application of the playful and theatrical Mimesis approach in the context of STEAM learning. Themes go from body and space expressions, to emotions and creativity in science. Our playlist is available here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkWoF9vy6_sxcXuJax9FDqWfQyYjTSLno
Contact Us
For inquiries and further information about the Mimesis Project, please reach out to us at contact@labaixbidouille.com. Explore our resources on our project website and GitHub repository, and connect with us on social networks @mimesiseu.