Livestreaming Science: How Awe-Inspiring Media Events May Foster Science Interest Through Meta-Emotional Gratification and Eudaimonic Appreciation

We investigate how livestreaming science events may stimulate audience interest in science. We conducted an online experiment (N = 356) and found that watching video footage from the live broadcast of a spectacular rocket launch was associated with increased science information-seeking intention, indicating initial science interest development. We distinguish parallel mechanisms of interest evocation, that is, meta-emotional media gratification via the emotion of awe and eudaimonic media appreciation sequentially mediated by awe and awareness of knowledge gap. Moreover, perceived science self-efficacy moderated meta-emotional gratification. Findings suggest that awe-inspiring science media events may facilitate interest development by motivating information-seeking about science topics.