Doktor  Kaboom! Educator’s Resource Guide 

The quality of the performance is dependent on your students being prepared to exhibit appropriate behavior. Please read and discuss the following behavioral mandates with your students before the performance.

This review and discussion supports Standards governing appropriate behavior and Theatre Etiquette. Distributing adult supervision amongst the students will help ensure appropriate behavior. Teacher and chaperone behavior is critical as well so please remember to silence your cell phones and refrain from using your phones for texting or anything else during the performance. Taking pictures or recording during the performance is not permitted. We hope this helps you prepare your students so they will experience a quality performance.    

Your Role as an Audience Member The audience is an important part of any performance. Your behavior as an audience member will affect the performance you see. Performers are people too and will be working really hard to perform for you. Their performance and everyone's experience of it will be even better if you follow the following instructions: 

Enter the performance space quietly and take your seat as directed.

Remember that seeing a live show is not like watching TV or a movie. The performers are in thesame room with you and can see and hear you. Please don’t talk during the performance. Theperformers need you to watch and listen quietly. Talking to friends disturbs the performers andother members of the audience and is rude and disrespectful.

Please stay in your seats during the performance. Please show respect for the performers andyour fellow audience members by sitting up in your seats and keeping your feet on the floor.

You can laugh if something is funny and clap at the end of the performance or after a song.

Using your cell phone, taking pictures or recording is not allowed during the performance.

Please remain seated at the end of the performance.

Standards for Theatre Etiquette TH.K.S.1.1‐Demonstrate appropriate audience behavior at a live performance. TH.1.S.1.1‐Exhibit appropriate audience etiquette and response.  TH.2.S.1.1‐Exhibit the behavior necessary to establish audience etiquette, response, and constructive criticism.  TH.3.S.1.1‐Demonstrate effective audience etiquette and constructive criticism for a live performance.  TH.4.S.1.1.‐Exhibit proper audience etiquette, give constructive criticism, and defend personal responses.  TH.5.S.1.1‐Describe the difference in responsibilities between being an audience member at live or recorded performances. 

Doktor  Kaboom! Teacher Resource Guide 

www.doktorkaboom.com

Introduction 

Welcome,  this  study  guide  is  intended  to  assist  educators  as  a 

supplement  to  live performances of Doktor Kaboom! The  resources on 

the  following  pages  are  designed  to  help  your  students  fully  grasp  the 

scientific and theatrical concepts they have  experienced,  and  to  nourish 

the  seeds  of  discovery  and  adventure  that we  hope  to  have  planted. 

Mission 

Doktor  Kaboom!  strives  to  remind  audiences  of  all  ages  that  the 

foundations  of  scientific  discovery  can  be  joyful  tools  for  a  lifetime. 

Through  highly  interactive  comic  performances  we  encourage  students 

to  express  their  awe  of  scientific  demonstrations,  to  creatively  explore 

the world  around  them,  and  to  realize  that  science  and mathematics 

are meant  to  be  fun. 

Artist Bio 

Doktor  Kaboom  is  the  creation  of  Actor/Comedian  David  Epley. 

David  has  been  fortunate  enough  to  discover  two  passions  in  his  life. 

Science,  his  first,  took  him  to  studies  at  the  North  Carolina  School  of 

Science  and Mathematics. His  second,  performing,  became  his  career, 

and  for  20  years David  has made  his  living writing,  performing,  and 

directing  original  interactive  comedy  across  the  US  and  Canada. 

For the  first time, David brings his passions together  for an exciting 

new solo show; A Science Comedy extravaganza with an explosive style 

that  refuses  to allow audiences  the  time  to catch a breath. 

David  lives  in  Yellow  Springs, Ohio  and  is  the  proud  papa  of  his  5‐year‐ 

old  daughter,  Jindalee.  He  believes  strongly  in  service,  is  a  veteran  of 

the  US  Army,  and  volunteers  as  an  EMT  and  firefighter with  his  local 

Fire/Rescue   department. 

Doktor  Kaboom! Teacher Resource Guide 

www.doktorkaboom.com

Topics  for Discussion – Pre‐Activity (Florida Standards Connections: SC.4.N.1.1, SC.4.N.1.4, SC.5.N.1.1, SC.6.N.1.4, SC.7.N.1.1, SC.8.N.1.1) 

These  topics  are  great  conversation  starters  for  classroom  discussions 

following  the  performance: 

Safety 

Why  should  we  always  practice  Safe  Science? If  you  are  going  to  do  an 

experiment or demonstration, and you already know you won’t need 

safety  glasses, why  should  you wear  them? 

“There  is no  such  thing as a  scientific  fact.” 

We  call gravity a  scientific  fact, when  in  reality  it  is no  such  thing. We 

assume gravity will work as we expect, simply because  it always has. 

Gravity has worked, so  far. There  is always  the possibility  that  some 

time  in the  future,  it will behave differently. We must remember to 

keep an open mind. Sometimes a ‘scientific fact’ is falsified by newer 

and better science. That’s how science works. 

“Applying science to everyday  life.” 

We  often  forget  to  apply what we  know  of  science  to  our  everyday 

lives.  Doktor  Kaboom  demonstrates  this with  his  catapult when  he 

discusses  how  to  win  the  Test  of  Strength  at  the  state  fair,  by  using 

our  knowledge  of  levers  and  fulcrums. What  other ways  can we  apply 

our  knowledge  of  science  to  our  daily  lives? 

Being Right 

When we have an  idea  in science, we call  it a theory. We test our 

theory with experiments. Does  it matter  in science whether we are 

right or wrong? 

Written and performedby David Epley

Grab your lab coats and safety goggles.This one-man science show can be electric!

David M. Rubenstein Chairman

Deborah F. RutterPresident

Darrell M. AyersVice President, Education

Additional support for Doktor Kaboom: LIVE WIRE! is provided by The Clark Charitable Foundation; Kaplan, Inc.; Mr. James V. Kimsey; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; and the U.S. Department of Education.

Major support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by David and Alice Rubenstein through the Rubenstein Arts Access Program.

Education and related artistic programs are made possible through the generosity of the National Committee for the Performing Arts and the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts.

www.kennedy-center.org/artsedge

Cuesheets are produced by ARTSEDGE, a program of the Kennedy Center Education Department.

Learn more about Education at the Kennedy Center at  www.kennedy-center.org/education

The contents of this Cuesheet have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

© 2014 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Performances for Young Audiences is made possible by

Practicing Safe ScienceAs Doktor Kaboom says, “Science can hurt you, especially if I’m the one doing the science.” In working with electricity, he has to watch out for sparks, burns, and fires. Even an expert experimenter can face unexpected dangers, so Doktor Kaboom suits up even if there’s only the tiniest chance that it’ll be necessary—and you should, too. And remember, you should only experiment with electricity with the help of a responsible adult.

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After the performance, try these activities with your friends and family.

Bonzo BalloonsUse balloons to explore static electricity. You’ll need: a dry winter’s day, two balloons, two long pieces of string, and a piece of fur or wool clothing. Blow up and tie closed one balloon. Press it against the wall. Does it stick? Now quickly rub the balloon back and forth against the fur or wool. Try the wall again. What happens, and why? Next, blow up and tie closed a second balloon. Tie a piece of long string to each balloon. Rub both as before. Holding each by the string, try bringing them together. What happens? Why?

Heads Up for ElectricityMake a list of all the electricity you use in one day of your life. Include things around your home like lights (and don’t forget things that run on batteries!). Also include things outside your house like traffic lights. What would life be like if electricity hadn’t been discovered?

And remember…being a good audience member isn’t rocket science—just stay seated and quiet, don’t eat, and remember to watch, listen, and clap.

Go to KC Connections on ARTSEDGE

artsedge.kennedy-center.org/kc-connections

Gloves—you guessed it—protect his hands.

Let’s look at the gear that Doktor Kaboom wears to protect his body.

Lab coat with long sleeves covers his clothing and skin.

Goggles protect his eyes.

The Electricity Tour

(Florida Standards Connections: SC.4.N.1.1, SC.4.N.1.4, SC.5.N.1.1, SC.6.N.1.4, SC.7.N.1.1, SC.8.N.1.1)

Michael FaradayYou can thank this man and his endless curiosity if you enjoy riding in cars. He discovered how to generate electricity using magnetic effects and this became the first generator. From there, his experiments led to electric motors and many other devices we use every day.

What’s His Name? Doktor Kaboom! But his real name is David Epley, and he’s a comedian who loves science. When he performs, he plays the role of a scientist from Germany. To show that you agree with Doktor Kaboom, remember to say “ja” (“yah”), which is German for “yes.” David performs “improvisational comedy,” which means he “improvises” (changes) his jokes depending on what’s happening on stage.

One Man and the Power (and Fun!) of ElectricityScience is a blast, and nothing says scientific discovery quite like “kaboom.” Get ready for a hilarious hour of electrical entertainment with Doktor Kaboom. Although this may be a “one-man show,” Doktor Kaboom will ask for your help in this fun and funny exploration of electricity. Learn more here, and pay special attention to the bolded words, which you will hear on stage.

Get to Know a Scientist…or Two

Electro-magnet-ificent!Magnets (materials that can attract other items) have two opposite points—north and south magnetic poles—where the magnet’s force is the strongest. This creates a magnetic field that can create electricity. Neodymium (pronounced nee-oh-DIM-ee-uhm) magnets are among the strongest available. Is it magic or…electromagnetic? Watch how Doktor Kaboom lights a lamp without touching it!

Know Your Electrical MeasurementsYou may hear Doktor Kaboom use these words as he performs his experiments:

amps the number of electrons moving in a circuit (a closed loop)

voltage the pressure pushing electrons along an electrical current

watt a unit for measuring electric power

frequency how fast sound or electromagnetic waves travel

resistance how much a conductor slows the passage of current

Those Crazy ElectronsElectricity begins with atoms. Everything is made of these molecules that are so small millions could fit on a tiny pinhead. Protons, neutrons, and electrons make up atoms—and how they play together is where things really get interesting. Protons have a positive charge and electrons have a negative one (the neutrons have no charge). Because opposite charges are drawn to each other, protons and electrons usually stay in the same atom. But sometimes electrons make a radical move to another atom…and kaboom! This is electricity. Watch…as Doktor Kaboom and audience volunteers test the idea that opposites attract.

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On the MoveElectricity is all about movement. When you rub your shoes on the carpet on a dry winter’s day and touch a doorknob, you get a little shock, right? That’s because you picked up extra electrons that move when you touch something else. This is called static electricity. Watch…for Doktor Kaboom’s hair-raising demonstration of static electricity.

Conductors (like metals) help electric charges move more easily. Insulators (like plastic) prevent charges from moving easily. Grounding removes a charge. The flow of electrons is called the current. In direct current, the charge moves in one direction. In alternating current, it moves back and forth. Machines called generators turn energy created by movement (such as wind turbines) to electricity. Watch…how Doktor Kaboom and friends turn riding a bike into a power-full experience.

It’s a Gas!Substances have four states—solid, liquid, gas (think ice, water, steam), and another gas-like state called plasma that conducts electricity (think lightning). Watch…when Doktor Kaboom tries a device that will use a flow of electric charge—called electric discharge—to make an arc (or current) of plasma in the air. As Doktor Kaboom says, what could possibly go wrong?

What is my name?

Car guy?

(Florida Standards Connections: LAFS.4.L.3.4, LAFS.5.L.3.4, LAFS.6.L.3.4, LAFS.7.L.3.4, LAFS.8.L.3.4)

Doktor  Kaboom! Teacher Resource Guide 

www.doktorkaboom.com

An  Invitation 

Doktor  Kaboom! Teacher Resource Guide 

www.doktorkaboom.com

Florida Standards Connections 

LANGUAGE ARTS: 

LAFS.4.L.3.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple‐meaning words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies. LAFS.5.L.3.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple‐meaning words and phrases based on grade 5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies. LAFS.6.L.3.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple‐meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies. LAFS.7.L.3.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple‐meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies. LAFS.8.L.3.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple‐meaning words or phrases based on grade 8 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies. 

SCIENCE: 

SC.4.N.1.1 Raise questions about the natural world, use appropriate reference materials that support understanding to obtain information (identifying the source), conduct both individual and team investigations through free exploration and systematic investigations, and generate appropriate explanations based on those explorations. SC.4.N.1.4 Attempt reasonable answers to scientific questions and cite evidence in support. SC.5.N.2.1 Recognize and explain that science is grounded in empirical observations that are testable; explanation must always be linked with evidence. SC.5.N.1.1 Define a problem, use appropriate reference materials to support scientific understanding, plan and carry out scientific investigations of various types such as: systematic observations, experiments requiring the identification of variables, collecting and organizing data, interpreting data in charts, tables, and graphics, analyze information, make predictions, and defend conclusions. SC.6.N.1.4 Discuss, compare, and negotiate methods used, results obtained, and explanations among groups of students conducting the same investigation. SC.7.N.1.1 Define a problem from the seventh grade curriculum, use appropriate reference materials to support scientific understanding, plan and carry out scientific investigation of various types, such as systematic observations or experiments, identify variables, collect and organize data, interpret data in charts, tables, and graphics, analyze information, make predictions, and defend conclusions. SC.8.N.1.1 Define a problem from the eighth grade curriculum using appropriate reference materials to support scientific understanding, plan and carry out scientific investigations of various types, such as systematic observations or experiments, identify variables, collect and organize data, interpret data in charts, tables, and graphics, analyze information, make predictions, and defend conclusions.