Well…given that I don’t
know what your subject is or the audience, all I can suggest is something that
is either unexpected and/or slow-burning. Stand-up comics often drop a
reference in to a topic and then refer back to it in a funny way later, which
is satisfying for the audience because they are expecting a pay-off at the end,
and satisfying for you because you have their full attention as they’re
subconsciously waiting for whatever it is.
I say this long-winded
example for inspiration – if you have an experiment which works by
playing on audience expectation, it can be more memorable/impressive than bangs
and explosions. Does that help?
From:
psci-com: on public engagement with science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Matt Bagley
Sent: 17 September 2007 10:26
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Quick
experiment/ demo
well, if it helps I recently did
alka-seltzer and film canisters synchronized to music as a silly little sign
off, which they liked but thought was 'too messy'. So what we need is
something fun, quick, brilliantly impressive but without any mess. But still
fun, obviously. For an audience that wants to be entertained, but only within
limits. Tough call, huh?
Id really appreciate any thoughts you have
folks, Im really struggling to come up with something that's spectacular yet
restrained.
Ps in response to Aaron's questions, the
audience will be scientifically knowledgeable, and there will be about 30-40 of
them. The activity itself really need only be impressive as hopefully the few
minutes of explanation that preceded it should be enough information. Its just
a fun closer really. As for resources, Im confident we can get most things in
time, though plutonium may be a bit more of a stretch.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, September
17, 2007 9:50 AM
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM]
Quick experiment/ demo
Hi Matt –
I didn’t reply to this because I
wasn’t sure what sort of things you were after. Can you post some
examples onto the list?
Best wishes, Laura
From:
psci-com: on public engagement with science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Matt Bagley
Sent: 15 September 2007 17:28
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [PSCI-COM] Quick
experiment/ demo
No thoughts on this at all folks? Id be
really grateful for anything you could suggest.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, September
14, 2007 9:19 AM
Im in need of a quick, fun, hugely
impressive and contract- winning experiment for a meeting with a large
group of adults, most of whom have seen all my best crowd pleasers before. Its
only a ten minute slot I have, so Ill probably only have 2 or 3 minutes to do
something, but ideally Id like it to be something we could all do together.
Anyone have any ideas for stuff that would set their world on fire without
setting their world on fire?
Best Wishes, Fellow Folks Who Aren't Able
To Go To York,
|
|
MATT BAGLEY BEng(Hons), MA
Tall Person That's Really Good at Inspiring People to Become Cool Things
(Even if They Don't Want To Become Cool Things).
CAMOUFLAGED LEARNING | EDUCATION THROUGH
ACTION
WWW.CAMOUFLAGED-LEARNING.COM
phone - 01493 393980| mobile - 077601
78040
|
********************************************************************** 1.
To suspend yourself from the list, whilst on leave, for example, send an email
to [log in to unmask] with the
following message: set psci-com nomail 2. To resume email from the list, send
the following message: set psci-com mail 3. To leave psci-com, send an email to
[log in to unmask] with the
message: leave psci-com 4. Further information about the psci-com discussion
list, including list archive, can be found at the list web site:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/psci-com.html 5. The psci-com gateway to
internet resources on science communication and science and society can be
found at http://psci-com.ac.uk
**********************************************************************
**********************************************************************
1. To suspend yourself from the list, whilst on leave, for example, send an
email to [log in to unmask]
with the following message: set psci-com nomail 2. To resume email from the
list, send the following message: set psci-com mail 3. To leave psci-com, send
an email to [log in to unmask]
with the message: leave psci-com 4. Further information about the psci-com
discussion list, including list archive, can be found at the list web site:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/psci-com.html 5. The psci-com gateway to
internet resources on science communication and science and society can be
found at http://psci-com.ac.uk
**********************************************************************
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.487 / Virus Database: 269.13.21/1012 - Release Date: 16/09/2007
18:32