“Can’t Nobody Floss Like This!”: Exploring Embodied Science Learning in the Third Space

Abstract

I present an out-of-school science study situated in a performing arts center. The design brings together a mixed-reality science learning environment with ensemble dance in a series of embodied learning activities exploring the states of matter. Building on the theoretical framework of the third space, I analyze hybrid embodied movements that highlight the diverse role the body can play in learning science. Additionally, I report on pre- and post-measures indicating participants learned targeted science concepts and hybrid embodiments supported learning one particularly unintuitive concept. Finally, I make a case for the design of embodied learning activities that extend beyond considerations of analogous movements to include local and diverse movements that, if recognized as legitimate, expand possibilities for learning and doing science.