In 2007, Chabot Space & Science Center, with partners LodeStar Astronomy Center and the Institute for Learning Innovation, received a National Science Foundation grant (#0610253) to develop, create, distribute, and conduct research on a full-dome planetarium show titled Tales of the Maya Skies. This physically immersive show was designed to transport viewers to ancient Maya civilizations and to push the boundaries of narrative approach in planetariums by presenting the film with a “cultural wrapper” of the Maya people and their achievements in archaeo-astronomy. The research conducted three studies to addressed three guiding research questions. The first examined the impact of physical immersion on learning by comparing the film in three conditions of immersion (full-dome, movie screen, and television). The second looked at the influence of the “cultural wrapper” on learning by comparing based on measures of connectedness to the Maya. The third revealed which elements of the immersive show create a strong response in viewers by examining real-time physiologic (heart rate, RSA, and skin conductance) and opinion responses of viewers while watching the show. Appendix includes survey questionnaires.
Associated Projects
TEAM MEMBERS
Chabot Space and Science Center
Contributor
Victor Yocco
Author
Institute for Learning Innovation
Citation
Funders
NSF
Funding Program:
ISE/AISL
Award Number:
0610253
Funding Amount:
2801309
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