Exploring the History of Science with Movies
2015; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 82; Issue: 7 Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
1943-4871
Autores Tópico(s)Film in Education and Therapy
ResumoEngaging students in the lives and work of scientists is an excellent way to teach them about the history and nature of science (NOS). Learning about scientists of different eras, genders, and races shows that science is open to everyone, can make content more meaningful, and can bring the field to life for students. As McComas notes, Incorporation of rich historical episodes into the science classroom can humanize science by raising instruction from the mere recitation of facts to its exploration as an authentic and exciting human adventure (2008, p. 262). This article describes resources that can help teachers integrate the stories of scientists' lives into core content. Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Science as a Human Endeavor is highlighted in the Nature of Science Matrix of the NGSS (Appendix H, p. 100). standards state that students should understand that Scientific knowledge is a result of human endeavor, imagination, and creativity and that Individuals and teams from many nations and cultures have contributed to science and to advances in engineering. Specific video clips Engaging learners is the first step of the 5-E instructional model. One simple, engaging technique is to use video clips. According to Bull and Bell, Watching digital video facilitates knowledge building, enabling students to acquire a better grasp of curricular concepts or adding to their understanding of the contexts of surrounding instructional (2010, p. 5). As with any educational resource, some videos are better than others; below, I discuss some of the best I've found. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A nine-minute video called The Price of Progress, which appeared on the CBS Sunday Morning News April 22, 2007 (see On the web), featured friends and foes of Rachel Carson, the marine biologist and conservationist whose book Silent Spring helped launch the environmental movement. video offers a glimpse of her life and the environmental issues that accompany widespread pesticide use, which was her focus. video, which readily segues into a discussion of Earth Day and the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency, is appropriate for biology, environmental science, and general science classes. Other outstanding video segments are found on the Thirty Years of National Geographic Specials DVD, which features Jane Goodall, Birute Galdikas, and Dian Fossey (Figure 1). These clips dispel the stereotype that scientists are only old white men in lab coats with pocket protectors. Video clip databases Video clip databases allow teachers of any secondary science class to locate quickly and easily an appropriate scientist clip. In addition, these sites also include supporting resources. PBS's NOVA web series, Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers, offers over 65 short, engaging video profiles on all kinds of scientists (see On the web). In addition to sharing the scientist's work, the profiles highlight each person's interests outside of the world of science. Bill Nye, Mae Jemison, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Mayim Bialik are some of the scientists included on this site, which also has a blog and teacher's guide. Academy of Achievement website's achiever gallery features a Science and Exploration section (see On the web) with a database of over 50 scientists and explorers, as well as a printable profile, a biography, and an interview video for each person. Among those featured are Mario Molina, Linus Pauling, Jane Goodall, and Sally Ride. There are teacher guides and links to additional resources for topics such as Frontiers of Medicine and The Cosmos. Makers, the largest video collection of women's stories, is a relatively new site that includes a section of Science and Tech interviews (see On the web). …
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