Elizabeth Wallace

Effect of an Astronomical Narrative on the Brain

Abstract

What’s the effect of seeing Earth from space on the human brain? While we prepare an abstract for consideration by the ISS to perform EEG's on astronauts while they are in the cupola looking at Earth from space, we would like to work on a smaller project in time for INSAP IX. We presented a 6 minute film, The Overview Effect: Beyond Borders, which was well received at INSAP VIII. In it 10-11 year old students narrate astronaut and cosmonaut quotes about what it is like to leave Earth, see her from space and return. (See note.)

Some children say they feel like ‘space is real’ after watching it. Others say space feels ‘emotional’. What goes on in an adult’s brain before she exclaims ‘that was awesome! Is it on YouTube?’

Only a couple of weeks ago a student told me that her classmate had talked about being an astronaut for a year after seeing the film. This inspired me to go down the path a little further. With the help of neuroscientists we would like to design and execute a preliminary experiment using an EEG to see if differences can be detected between viewing disconnected pictures of outer space and Earth and those in the film connected by narrative. Perhaps there is more to learn about the effect of story on inspiring someone to follow a career in astronomy, space exploration and/or the arts.

Note: Requisite copyright permissions were recently received thanks to new funding.

Biography

Giraffe 'n' Ant Productions is dedicated to encouraging people to follow STEM and arts careers inspired by astronomy and space exploration.

My projects include: The StarryTelling Festival, a 3-day festival which combined the arts and science to introduce astronomy to the Metro DC area; Service on the IYA 2009 Cultural Astronomy Committee; I'm a StarryTeller planetarium show for the National Air and Space Museum with stories by over 40 students; Coaching students to retell NASA stories from Jay O'Callahan's 'Forged in the Stars'; Hands on astronomy workshops in an elder care facility; Presentations at the Next Gen Suborbital Researchers Conference including 'Space Tourism is the New Higher Education'.

For 30 years I owned and operated a visa agency which served international corporate travelers. While I used to help people expand their horizons by getting them across borders, now I would like to help them get 'beyond borders'.