Engagement in science content via online video leveraging television science fiction (Star Trek: Discovery)

Using science fiction stories to teach real-world science concepts may improve student engagement and motivate creativity. Here, we explore the effectiveness of a science outreach video leveraging interest in science fiction television content at engaging an audience self-selected through online social media. We find that responding audience members report knowledge gains, that the science-fiction connection increased their interest, and that many may not have viewed this science content without the science-fiction connection. Overall, these findings support the use of fictional narrative connections to engage with non-student learners around science topics, extending the findings from classroom settings to online videos.