A lockdown hit that turned hundreds of girls on to science and technology has been reengineered for a young theatre audience – and is coming at Z-arts in Manchester for two performances on February 26 (11am and 2pm, duration 40 minutes).
Curious Investigators was created as a Zoom performance during the first 2020 lockdown and has since been enjoyed by over a thousand children around the world.
Research carried out by award-winning show creators One Tenth Human found that prior to experiencing Curious Investigators, 66 per cent of the children answered no when asked if they would like to be engineers. After watching the show the figure zoomed to 96 per cent yes or maybe – with girls more likely to be impressed than boys.
The show has now been completely rewritten for a theatre audience, but still delivers the same engineering challenges that fascinated children online.
Aimed at children aged 3-7, two female scientists – Scribble and Clipboard – are working in an unusual recycling plant when they find an egg containing an unborn chick. The pair ask the audience to suggest ways they might protect the egg from smashing. The show was put together with engineering experts Dr Irene Wise and Dr Jenny Roberts from Lancaster University.
Producer Rafia Hussain says the company's aim is to use science and engineering to make entertaining live events for young audiences: "STEM – science, technology, engineering and maths – subjects come with powerful cultural baggage. Many children from lots of different backgrounds – especially girls – reach adulthood believing these subjects aren't for them. One Tenth Human is on a mission to empower children with better stories about their own potential."
After each 40-minute shows there will be a 20-minute "stay and play" session.
Tickets and info here