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Representing Science Through Historical Drama

Lord Kelvin and the Age of The Earth Debate

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Abstract

This paper presents a defense for the use of historical scripted conversations in science. We discuss drama’s use of both expository and narrative text forms to expand the language forms available for a variety of learners, the use of scripted conversations as a defensible curriculum design to foster learning in general and science in particular, and the expansion of literate practices to include dramatic arts. Throughout our discussion, we refer to Author 2 and Teichmann’s scripted conversation Lord Kelvin and the Age of the Earth Debate (2003).

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Correspondence to Deborah L. Begoray.

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A previous version of this paper was presented at the Seventh International History, Philosophy and Science Teaching Conference, July 30–August 3, 2003, Winnipeg, Canada.

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Begoray, D.L., Stinner, A. Representing Science Through Historical Drama. Sci Educ 14, 457–471 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-005-0780-y

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