“The History (and Mystery) of the Universe”
with David Novak as Buckminster Fuller
November 3-7, 2025
Fifth grade teachers SAVE THE DATE to bring your students to the Kids Storytelling Institute at the International Storytelling Center this November.
This story-based learning initiative pairs the Tennessee State Board of Education Academic Standards with an immersive performing arts experience to create a unique educational opportunity for teachers and students. The Kids Institute is supported by private funding so that it may be offered to regional fifth graders AT NO COST to students.
Teachers can choose between two (2) sessions each day, beginning at 9 am and 11:30 am, and there is space available at the Center for brown bag lunches if needed.
2025 Program Description
A storytelling performance introducing students to American polymath, inventor, engineer, artist, and philosopher – R. Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983). With toothpicks, wax, chalkboard, overhead projector, and other simple materials, “Bucky” lectures in his famous meandering discourse across Life, Love, Nature and the possibility of Universe.
During this 70-minute performance, students build models to explore the synergetic geometry that created Bucky’s geodesic dome, examine the natural world for design principles as found in Bucky’s Dymaxion House and Car, are introduced to Bucky’s Dymaxion World Map, and Comprehensive Anticipatory Design Science. Teaching Artist David Novak engages students in meeting Bucky’s challenge to “make the world work for 100% of humanity in the shortest possible time, through spontaneous cooperation, without ecological offense or the disadvantage of anyone.”
Hailed as “one of the greatest minds of our times, R. Buckminster Fuller was renowned for his comprehensive perspective on the world’s problems. For more than five decades, he developed pioneering solutions that reflected his commitment to the potential of innovative design to create technology that does “more with less” and thereby improves human lives.
This performance addresses TN Academic Standards for 5th-grade including:
Social Studies
5.05 Examine the contributions and impact of inventors on American society, including: Alexander Graham Bell, George Washington Carver, and Thomas Edison.
5.06 Examine the impact of important entrepreneurs on American society, including: Andrew
Carnegie, Henry T. Ford, and Cornelius Vanderbilt.
Science
5.ETS1: Engineering Design
1) Research, test, re-test, and communicate a design to solve a problem.
2) Plan and carry out tests on one or more elements of a prototype in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify which elements need to be improved. Apply the results of
tests to redesign the prototype.
3) Describe how failure provides valuable information toward finding a solution.
Theatre
5.T.P2.B Demonstrate the use of technical elements in a theatrical work.
5.T.P3.A Present theatrical work informally to an audience.
5.T.Cr1.B Propose design ideas that support the story and given
circumstances in a theatrical work.
2025 Teacher Resources
Teacher Guide for R. Buckminster Fuller.
Sample Lesson Plan for R. Buckminster Fuller.
Storyteller David Novak
David Novak is the artistic director of “A Telling Experience,” which tells stories to enrich discourse, entertain imagination, engage emotion, and discover our common ground. For his unique style of narrative combinatorics, he has been described as a “master of literary collage.” Novak is an internationally touring storyteller and keynotes for numerous library and educational conferences, including the Sydney International Storytelling Conference, Czech Children’s Theatre Festival, and American Alliance for Theatre in Education.
Read more about David Novak on his website.
Space is limited and reservations are required. To register, fill out and submit the registration form below. For questions, contact Emily Katt at emily@storytellingcenter.net or call us at (423) 753-2171.
Registration Form
Kids Storytelling Institute
Provide the following information and a registration coordinator will be in touch to schedule your classroom's visit to the International Storytelling Center's Kids Institute.
