DIGITAL LIBRARY
LEARNING ABOUT VISION THROUGH DRAMA
1 University of Valencia (SPAIN)
2 FISABIO (SPAIN)
About this paper:
Appears in: INTED2019 Proceedings
Publication year: 2019
Pages: 3067-3071
ISBN: 978-84-09-08619-1
ISSN: 2340-1079
doi: 10.21125/inted.2019.0810
Conference name: 13th International Technology, Education and Development Conference
Dates: 11-13 March, 2019
Location: Valencia, Spain
Abstract:
Introduction:
Quality of vision implies a high social impact because it is directly related to the people’s quality of life. In fact, 80% of the information perceived by the senses is received through the vision. Some causes of vision loss can be minimized or avoided by applying appropriate preventive measures (80% of cases)1. According to the World Health Organization, corneal blindness is the 4th leading cause of global blindness (5.1%)2. For this reason, it is necessary to create ways to raise the social conscience about the importance of ocular and ophthalmologic care, as well as other important issues such as the donation of corneas for their transplantation. In this regard, scientific divulgation plays a crucial informative role.

In addition, this type of information should reach society in a way that is simple and understandable for all audiences, and through an entertaining and attractive format which would change the false and widespread preconception that “science is boring”.

Purpose:
To create an entertaining scientific diffusion event that offers to society relevant information on ocular and visual health, especially on the donation of corneas for transplant.

Methodology:
A short play (8 minutes) was created, based on two characters named as the two lenses of the eye: Cornea and "Crysta" (crystalline lens). Together, they make a road trip to the town of Ojós (meaning Eyes in English) in Murcia, Spain. During the preparation and the process of the trip, they undergo a several events, through which the following information is given: protection against ultraviolet radiation, presbyopia, consciousness of driving with prescription lenses, consciousness about the donation of corneas, cataract and importance of the investigation.

To add some humor, we added sayings and curiosities about the vision. The preparation of the text and concepts to be transmitted have been prepared by an interdisciplinary working group of ophthalmologists, opticians-optometrists and visual health researchers. Finally, in order to bring scientists closer to society, the interpretation is carried out by two actresses who are researchers with experience and trained in drama and circus.

Results and discussion:
The play has already been carried out encompassed in two free events in Valencia (Spain):
-A show called "Scientists and Artists", which was held on February 8 in commemoration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Over 170 people attended the event, plus was followed in streaming and offline in facebook [https://www.facebook.com/LasNavesCCC/videos/1835740309826796/] with 22.000 reproductions and in youtube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNqH1EwhnZ0] with 258 visualizations. The public was as much society in general, as high school students.
-The second "Live Science Square" was held on September 28 of 2018 in the Town Hall Square for the European Night of Science. This event was open access, so any person attending could see the show. There was capacity for 200 people, all seats were occupied and there were lot of standing people.

References:
[1] World Health Organization. Blindness and vision impairment. (http://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/blindness-and-visual-impairment; access on November 26 2018)
[2] World Health Organization. Blindness and vision impairment prevention. Priority eye diseases. Corneal opacities. (http://www.who.int/blindness/causes/priority/en/index8.html; access on November 26 2018).
Keywords:
Drama, vision, scientific diffusion.