#BatteryLow

Livestreaming science for viewers everywhere

#BatteryLow is a monthly livestream where scientists play and use videogames to help viewers understand science. The show is targeted at 13-25 year olds.

Each show is held during school hours once a month. Teachers can tune in with their classes to watch and participate in the stream. In addition to playing video games and talking about science, students can participate in experiments while playing and using Arludo’s apps. Viewers play along at home or at school from their own mobile devices and watch their data appear on screen for live analysis and discussion by their guests and scientist hosts.

Each show is presented by co-hosts Dr. Michael Kasumovic and Dr. Sophie Calabretto and a range of guest scientists, spanning various scientific disciplines and topics.

My Role

#BatteryLow Series Producer

As the Series Producer for #BatteryLow, I assist in organising and scheduling each month's livestream. I liaise and work closely with our partner the Australian Museum as well as our guests that join us for each show.

In addition to the logistics and planning side, I am also involved in the scriptwriting process. I work closely with Michael to come up with engaging ways we can get the kids excited for each show. This involves deciding which games to play, what types of questions, polls and mini-events we should ask/host throughout the show, and what type of guests (in addition to scientists e.g. twitch streamers) we should source for the show. Michael scripts the science side of the show and I focus more on the gaming side.

While on set and during the stream I coordinate where and how we should set up the gaming and livestreaming space. During the livestream I radio in when cameras need to be switched (i.e. which camera should be on who and when, and when the cameras need to be changed to another person/guest/game). I also assist in set dressing and sourcing props. As producer I give the crew creative direction and assist with shot composition.

Arludo

Learn science while playing videogames

Arludo is a Sydney based science education company working to change the way students see and use science in their daily lives.

Arludo specialises in developing mobile games that teach science for students ranging from primary school to university. All Arludo games are free to download and use globally.

Arludo is the only company in the world with the digital infrastructure that allows users to play videogames to collect science data. Arludo's proprietary mobile games add a level of real-time interactivity unmatched by any other science program or show.

Registered Provider for the NSW Creative Kids Program

NESA Endorsed Provider of Teacher Professional Development

Partners

#BatteryLow is the first interactive science show to be regularly streamed on Twitch.

Arludo's partnership with Twitch means we are placed on the front page of the Twitch site for each of our shows.

Our monthly shows are broadcasted live from the Australian Museum - Australia’s national museum.

The location provides a significant aesthetic and educational value to the livestream. Our shows are also shared with their national audience and email list.

Contact

Arludo Website: arludo.com

Arludo Twitch

Arludo Instagram

Arludo Twitter

Arludo YouTube

Arludo Facebook

Episode 1: Brainwaves & Beat Saber

How does your brain behave when you play video games?

In this episode we explore the traits and skills that gamers need to succeed in the high-stakes world of competitive gaming. We’ll chat about how age and other factors affect our performance. Our hosts and guest will be playing Beat Saber and exploring how our brain functions in response to different difficulty levels and trials. Our viewers will be playing Arludo’s game Reaction Packed and we will create an experiment to explore live.

Episode 2: The Science Behind Video Game Addiction

Have you ever sat down for a quick gaming session before bed, then looked up and realised you should have been in bed 4 hours ago?

In this episode Arludo investigate the science behind videogame addition and the clever tricks game designers use to keep you coming back for more.

Join the hosts as they chat with psychologists to better understand how games manipulate your brain, and how you can stay in control.

Episode 3: The Science of Fear

Heights. Snakes. Crocodiles. Being in a room with a group of people you've never met before. We're all afraid of something – but why?

This episode dissects what makes us afraid and help us learn how to overcome our biggest fears.

Biologist Dane Trembath, from the Australian Museum Research Institute, will be joining the Arludo team to discuss his love of all things reptile, and investigate how we can tackle our fear of snakes.

We'll also be joined by Jodie Pestana a PhD student in Behavioural Neuroscience studying anxiety and its treatment post-motherhood, and Dr Corrie Ackland, a clinical psychologist from the Sydney Phobia Clinic.

Join in as the team uses Ritchie's Plank Experience and other VR games to explore how our bodies respond to fear and why Sophie isn't afraid of anything.

Episode 4: The Science of Memory

This episode explores the fascinating science behind memory.

Do you remember what you had for breakfast? How about breakfast two weeks ago? What about what happened that one time when you tripped going up the stairs in school and everyone laughed?

Our memory is a strange thing. What we remember and how well we remember can be affected by our emotions. In this episode, the Arludo team will investigate memory, what affects it and whether we can truly improve it.

Featuring forensic psychologist Dr Hayley Callum, cognitive neuroscientist Dr Nikki-Anne Wilson, and Meredith Castles who researches human-computer interactions, is a Twitch Streamer, and has hyperthymesia – that’s a super memory!

Join the team as they explore memory, find out what it’s like to remember EVERYTHING and use Minecraft to test our memory in different mazes.

Will Meredith's super memory win the day?

Episode 5: The Science of Food

Food is delicious, but have you thought about the effort that goes into the food you eat?

From the fruits and vegetables that make it to your door, to the treats that sit in your cupboard, they're all created through an understanding of biology, food chemistry, and a desire to make something delicious.

Join the Arludo team in this live show as they explore the science of food in Minecraft. Watch as they survive a monster attack by creating their own farm and talking about the science behind the food they create.

This episode, the team will be joined by some special guests – tune in to find out more!

Episode 6: The Science of Cooperation

From growing successful start-ups to solving important research questions, and even creating engineering masterpieces, cooperation between individuals can result in some incredible accomplishments. But sometimes it’s impossible to get people to work together regardless of the incentive, like trying to agree on what kind of pizza to order.

Join the team as they play Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes and uncover what factors make an individual willing to cooperate – all while diffusing a bomb!

Episode 7: The Science of Creativity

Why are some people more creative than others? Is creativity something you can practice to improve?

In this special school holidays episode of Battery Low, AM scientist Paul Flemons joins the Arludo team as they explore their creativity while playing Scribblenauts, a game where you're rewarded for discovering the most creative answer to a puzzle.

Uncover the factors that affect creativity and find out which one of our scientists is the most creative!

Episode 8: The Science of Trust

Join the Arludo team as they uncover the science behind trust.

"Do you trust me?"

It's a line that is almost guaranteed to be said in every movie, whether it is in an action or romance! In our society we are expected to trust the people around us, but there are some situations where we question whether certain people deserve our trust.

In this episode Russell Briggs, the Australian Museum’s Director of Museum Experience and Engagement, will be joining the Arludo team to investigate how we perceive trusted sources and reliable information.

Play along as the team explores what affects who we trust and why we trust them, all while trying to lie and cheat our way through a game of Among Us! Join in the fun to find out who is the sneakiest.