Thesis Conclusion

Play is the first vehicle of learning and continues to be a method for learning for all ages. There are many different kinds of play-related activities that provide educational benefits, such as creative drama.  Learning through dramatic play is recognized as an advanced stage in the development of a child. Teamwork and creativity are some important skills that can develop while participating in creative drama. Careers that have a high degree of creativity are less replaceable and more likely to be resilient during and after a recession. Many of these careers require a STEM degree. Interest in science is the key component of pursuing a scientific degree and career, but interest in science has declined in America.

Considering how integral science and technology have become globally, scientific literacy is essential in order to understand the world and make informed decisions. For a student in America, science concepts are often introduced by the elementary school teacher, who may or may not have much experience with science, due to scant science requirements in elementary education preparation. Many states have fallen behind in science partly due to inadequate science standards. In response to lacking science standards, a panel of educators, scientists and curriculum developers collaborated to design the Next Generation Science Standards, which were released in 2013 and are beginning to be implemented in schools nationwide. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) uses proficiency standards to determine the effectiveness of the education system; students considered proficient by these standards are highly likely to go on to receive a bachelor's degree.

One way to promote interest in science, is to introduce people to scientific concepts in a way that makes the big picture clear, stimulates the imagination and encourages fascination with science. One need not be young while learning these concepts, but the sooner they are learned, the more time they will have to become a part of solving problems with science.

Although not a complete, stand-alone lesson, creative drama games can awaken an interest in scientific concepts. Young students need much guidance when playing these games and the leader should have a moderate understanding of the concepts introduced. When games are coupled with a lesson plan, there is great opportunity for learning, and kids enjoy themselves. When asked after the game, many of the comments stated that it was fun and they learned a lot. While these games are fun for young students, the lessons can be quite advanced, and young participants would benefit from interacting with an integrated, multi-age group and having multiple discussions about each key topic.