Living Histories of Science - STEM show

Dean Howarth, a veteran physics teacher, brings history to life at museums, historic sites, festivals, conferences, schools, science and history camps, and other institutions with connections to both science and history. For over 25 years he has engaged in historical interpretation, as a private enterprise, under the moniker "The Natural Philosopher", along with his students.

As the Natural Philosopher, Dean performs living history lectures, lessons and shows based on the rich history of science. His narratives span the ages and tell the stories of great scientists, such as Brahe, Newton, Franklin and Priestley.

With dozens of individuals spanning all scientific disciplines, the Natural Philosopher educates audiences about the birth and fundamental principles of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). His engaging performances include replica instruments, interactive demonstrations, and lively debate.

Mr. Howarth has appeared at many historic sites and museums, such as Mount Vernon, the Smithsonian, the Corcoran Gallery, The Society of Cincinnati, Historic Old Town Alexandria, Rippon Lodge, Rumford House, Montpelier, Claude Moore Farm, Arlington Planetarium and the lawn of the White House.

"The Natural Philosopher LLC"
Dean Howarth is a veteran science teacher who used the history of science to teach audience of all ages the Wonders of Science. Dean has adopted the moniker, “Natural Philosopher,” which has been used by men of science since the Renaissance and although he specializes in 18th century discoveries, the history of science extends farther back and farther forward. Within the time line of scientific history, Mr. Howarth portrays a broad range of of scientists and innovators extending from the 16th to the 20th century and recreates the scientific experiments and discoveries that paved the way for modern times.

In the spirit of Diderot, his interests in the arts and sciences are broad and multifaceted. Mr. Howarth uses an extensive collection of replica scientific apparatus to conduct period accurate demonstrations similar to what one would see at a meeting of a scientific society or in a discussion with fellow men of science like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.

Mr. Howarth has worked extensively with museums and historic sites. These institutions provide a valuable connection with our heritage. For millennia, people have taken pilgrimages to see, first hand, relics that tie the past to the present in a personal way. Be it the Dead Sea Scrolls or Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers, people want to experience the “real thing” and feel a personal bond with history.

Dean Howarth has made pilgrimages to scientific sites around the globe, and these experiences have enriched his narratives. Visits to Tycho Brahe’s island home in Sweden, Newton’s grave in London, and Ground Zero in Alamogordo, New Mexico are just some of the many journeys he has taken to enhance his knowledge, and add gravitas and nuance to his performances.

Mr. Howarth's goal is not to show how the past was different from today. Instead, it is to show how the past remains relevant noe and will so in the future. The foundations of modern science and science education are found in the works of great natural philosophers of the past. These principles resonate through the annals of time, and prove that today’s emphasis on STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is not such a new idea after all.