Global Science Opera
The Global Science Opera is a creative education initiative that combines science, art, technology, and education in a global network of scientists, art and education institutions and projects. Using digital interaction, schools, universities and art and institutions from over 30 participating countries perform and live-stream Global Science Opera performances. One team in each participating country is invited to develop a two-minute scene for the opera, with all the scenes being performed together on a designated date as a continuous, real-time event that viewers can watch online.
History
Global Science Opera began in May 2014 as a collaboration between the European Commission's CREAT-IT project and representatives of the following initiatives:- Write a Science Opera : A creative approach to science and art inquiry in schools, developed at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
- The Galileo Teacher Training Program and Global Hands-On Universe : Global networks of science teachers
- Distance Learning: ICT-based connections amongst rural schools, led by the educational organization Ellinogermaniki Agogi in Athens, Greece
After the proposal's approval in July 2014, a network of institutions in 38 countries, encompassing schools, universities, operas, and science and art institutions, were invited to participate in the first GSO production. Preparation took place between July 2014 and October 2015, based on a flat hierarchy infrastructure and the philosophy "Democracy, respect and friendship was, and will be, the heart of this community."
In 2016, GSO was announced as a flagship initiative of the European Commission's project "Developing an Engaging Science Classroom " and is a Case Study in the Norwegian Research Council's project "Integrating Science of Oceans, Physics and Education ".
Productions
''SkyLight''
SkyLight was performed on October 3, 2015, in collaboration with Lunar Mission One, as part of World Space Week 2015. The artwork for the SkyLight poster was provided by space and nature photographer Babak Tafreshi.The science opera was live-streamed by the 31 participating countries, including schools, universities, art institutions and volunteers, and coincided with the final conference of the CREAT-IT project. SkyLight – a Global Science Opera was screened during the International Year of Light 2015 closing ceremony and film festival in the Centro de convenciones de Yucatán, Mexico.
Presentations of SkyLight
| Event | City | Country | Year |
| European Planetary Science Congress | Cascais | Portugal | 2015 |
| Lunar Mission One event at The Royal Institution | London | England | 2015 |
| CREAT-IT conference | Athens | Greece | 2015 |
| The Greek Physical Society | Athens | Greece | 2015 |
| European Network of Opera & Dance Education Conference | Bristol | England | 2016 |
Ghost Particles
Global Science Opera's second production, Ghost Particles, was performed globally on November 19, 2016, by 20 participating countries and streamed online by TV Haugaland.The chosen scientific theme was 'particle physics', with the opera exploring the science and discoveries of Higgs Boson, Neutrinos and Photons. The opera incorporated a virtual visit to CERN Compact Muon Solenoid.
The 2016 GSO also involved the cooperation of the European Commissions' Horizons 2020 Project CREATIONS cooperated and was a research focus for the Norwegian Research Council's project "iSCOPE".