Emotion strengthens memory.
Our stories provide suspense, anticipation, and excitement. Then we do the experiments.

"Just then, two steel doors 30 feet high slowly opened
to reveal the darkness of the Dragon's Liar.
And with whatever courage they had left,
Henry and Beth stepped inside."

"And as they stepped into the darkness,
they felt something move across their feet.
And when they looked down, they saw something
they had never seen before..."

Silence.

"I need a volunteer!"
The silence is broken.