Science Fiction

Synonyms

Movies; Novels; Radio; Science in fiction; Science-themed fiction; Television; Theater

Introduction

Some entertainment media products, such as movies and television dramas, are created specifically to educate people about science. Many more are created primarily to entertain but nonetheless contain scientific information, scientist characters, or representations of other aspects of science. This science-themed fiction – including animated sitcoms, novels, radio serials, plays, comics, narrative-based computer games, and more – has the potential to teach people something about science. That potential may apply during leisure time when people consume the fiction purely for entertainment, in the classroom when a fiction text is incorporated into the curriculum, and in informal learning environments such as science shows or community theater when fictional elements are used to market the event or to engage audiences.

Often the first thing people think of when discussing fiction...