Oceans videos... more!

Deb posted a reply on one of my blog posts (I do like getting comments -makes me feel connected!). She talked about Oceans 180 video challenge (http://ocean180.org/) where scientists attempt to explain their research in three minute videos which were then judged by students. I know this is something that Alan Alda (formerly of the MASH TV series) is passionate about as well. He has set up a foundation for communicating in science and has had competitions for the best explanation about flames.

I watched a couple of the videos (http://ocean180.org/2016-challenge/2016-challenge-finalists/verystickyfish2.html and http://ocean180.org/2016-challenge/2016-challenge-finalists/creative-dolphin.html) on the oceans website and, like my previous links, really like these as they are short and can be used for a warm up or as part of a literacy session for oral language or reading or writing! They could be used to develop question building in students as well. What I also like about these videos is twofold -one, children are learning about how scientists work -their questioning, their thinking and their investigations and two, that scientists wonder like they do... I've quite often come across a science paper investigating something that I'm curious about -M&Ms, coke and Mentos, popcorn...

http://ocean180.org/2016-challenge/2016-challenge-finalists/verystickyfish2.html 

As I watched the videos I was struck by their explanations which is part of the Use Evidence capability... How do scientists explain? How do they investigate? What evidence do they use to explain? Do they have questions about their explanations that they want to look further into? One of the videos talked about the scientists 'believing' something -so what does that mean to children? It really shows the tentative nature of science in action! We think this measures intelligence so we did the test...

http://ocean180.org/2016-challenge/2016-challenge-finalists/creative-dolphin.html 

Could children watch the videos and think about the vocabulary in the video? What specific words were used that were 'science-themed'? Interestingly, I didn't hear the word 'hypothesis' at all! Do the children agree with the findings? What questions do they have?

Both videos also have some ideas around another capability, Interpret Representations -scientists showing some graphics about their research which would be interesting to talk about.

So, with all these videos, what am I thinking about? I really like the idea of science not being just after lunch! If we want to develop good writing skills, we need to develop good vocabulary and discussions. Children talking about these videos and critically thinking is really important too -not just watching and thinking I really like dolphins and he was very cute! but I'm not sure I agree with dolphins being kept like this... I'd like to study a bit more about the research place and see how they treat the dolphins... or even Who cares! Why does it matter if a dolphin's clever or not? I'd much rather see scientists working on a cure for my cold! The idea of little bites appeals to me because it fits nicely into the day and might even hook children to look further themselves (and there's the Engaged in Science capability happening!) growing their own curiosity and wonder!

have a great week...
Paul