Play a part in research. Watch or participate in science.
Partnering with researchers and scientists from the University of California Santa Barbara, Science in Action invites guests to play, participate, or watch live research highlighting the science of child development.
What is their identity? In this research game, your child (6-13) will hear a story where a character chooses to identify with one or more ethnic backgrounds and we will ask some questions about what your child thinks about the character and his/her choice. We are interested in whether children are more likely than adults to think that it is OK for people to be flexible in how they identify.
How to help? In this research game, your child (3-12) will hear a story about a character who needs an object. The character will ask their classmate to give them the object. The classmate will know that the requested object is actually broken. We are interested in whether children think the classmate is likely to help by giving the broken object (which was directly requested) or by giving a non-broken version (which was not requested). That is, do children expect people to oblige requests even if the requested action may not be very helpful? Or, do they think that people will help others reach their goals even if it means not following an exact request? We are also interested in whether these expectations shift based on the relationships between the characters in the story as well as their goals.
When they will be here:
From April 6th through June 9th, they will be here every Saturday from 10am-1pm and every Sunday from 11am-2pm
About the Exhibit
Science in Action is an on-site, live research corner on the second floor of MOXI, where guests can engage with real scientists in research games or science activities. Working with partner scientists, children and adults can choose to participate or observe, experiencing the process of science with scientists!
Since beginning a partnership with University of California Santa Barbara in 2017, Science in Action has interacted with over 5,000 children and their families, contributing to over 20 different research projects conducted by graduate students and undergraduate students in the Department of Psychological Brain Science at the University of California Santa Barbara!
Current Research Partners
Child Studies at UCSB
The Child Studies Lab is interested in what children know about their world, how this knowledge changes over time, and how different types of experiences (for example being exposed to multiple languages) impacts learning and development.
Participate in Studies In-Person and Online!
Can’t come to MOXI? Participate in our on-campus research, or join us online.
Learn more at liberman.psych.ucsb.edu