We welcome individuals, groups, and organizations to help provide content for the Great New Jersey Science Show, where we are creating a science-minded community. You and your partners can present science information in an entertaining way. Imagine watching a “Saturday Night Live” skit with science content, or your favorite science show, and create one or two skits 15 to 20 minutes long. Do you teach science? You may already have material to use. With a cabaret format, your skit can be included in the night’s line-up. You might want to parody another show, use a game-show format, pretend you’re on board the starship Enterprise, imagine your own “Myth Busters” episode, lampoon a talk show, or run a goofy experiment that models real scientific principles. It’s your chance to get creative!
You, your company, or university will be featured in our promotional material (and listed as co-sponsors, if you like) and audience members will have the opportunity to get to know something about you and your organization. Our focus is on learning science, but also in building networks, partnerships, and more importantly, a sense of community.
Individuals who want to join our amateur staff are also welcome. If you have a flair for comedy or drama, or for science communication, we’d love to have you volunteer with our team. Want to support the show but don’t want to act? We also need stagehands, techies, and volunteers to help with running the show, including serving in our café. Finally, we need help with scriptwriting, directing, and show promotion. We promise a sense of community and a whole lot of fun. We hope you’ll join us to help promote science thinking!
How to sign up
To volunteer your group or organization, please XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. If you have questions, please contact Science Show Director Curt Collier, leader of the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County, at [email protected].
Our goals for the show
Our skits will help show how scientific models work and why it’s important to have an open mind and to challenge cognitive biases. By increasing science literacy, we aim to:
- Help prepare the next generation for the myriad of challenges arising from climate change.
- Help close the STEM gap
- Help diversify the scientific communi
Research in education shows that young adults succeed in science careers if they feel they are a part of the science community. We want young adults who attend the show to feel included and connected.
The confusion during the pandemic, debates over climate change, misuse of statistics, and overt misinformation campaigns all reveal the need to strengthen science literacy.
Who are we?
We are a collection of science professionals, educators, concerned citizens, science buffs, and plain ol’ science geeks who believe that science is an important tool for improving our world and advancing democracy. We believe we have an ethical responsibility to use our appreciation and understanding of science to ensure it remains part of future decision-making.
About our program director
Curt Collier, leader of the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County, taught science at three universities before moving into community activism and revitalization. For the past 15 years he was the National Youth Programs director for an environmental nonprofit, during which he created career pathways for diverse youth with the National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and NASA. Curt is a frequent guest speaker on engaging diverse youth and has given presentations before the American Academy for the Advancement of Science and many organizations on how to encourage more youth to enter science fields.
About our sponsor
The Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County is part of the 150-year-old Ethical Culture movement. Ethical Culture’s central premise is that actions matter more than beliefs (Deed Before Creed) and that members should work to create a culture that elicits our best. The Bergen Society was instrumental in desegregating housing, advancing social and political change, and furthering environmental protection.