Forums

Hello All,

I have been listening to Science Friday (on NPR) off and on for the last few years. For some reason I have always thought of it as a radio thing - you know, talk talk talk - but I finally got around to visiting their website and found that they have a collection of fantastic videos. I've been showing the videos 10 minutes before the bell and letting the students come in of their own accord. After the video plays I have a short conversation with the students that usually is expanded during our science period. As my students are choosing their science projects at this time, it really has helped to stimulate their imaginations and generate numerous ideas.

I was wondering if anybody else had a source for short, interesting videos for science instruction, as well as creative/unusual ideas for using them in the class. Our school has a subscription to Discovery Education, but the quality and timeliness of the videos can be iffy. Don't get me wrong, I use their videos a lot, but nothing really beats the quick and engaging videos I've found on Science Friday.

Here are a few of the videos that we have found interesting - and easy to tie into space science.

Candy Corn in Space
Blue Marble: The Making of
Balancing Bicycles
Taking Airplanes to a New Level

Wow! I podcast Science Friday. I never knew they had videos. Thanks for sharing!

Hi Duncan I also like to integrate short videos into the lesson; either as a bell, like you, or closing (review) I use You Tube. Thank you for suggesting Science Friday - I have not heard of it and can't wait to check it out. There is another NSTA class - "Science in the Movies" with Blick Flicks - under podcasts. You may find something. Thank you again for sharing. cheri

Thanks! I too am a fan and have played science friday while kids were working on other thimgs. I will check out their videos.

I have used the Futures Channel videos. The content might be geared more for high school and college students, but you can also get lesson plans. The videos are very general and short, and are meant to spark student interest. Thanks for mentioning the science friday videos. I will definitely cheap it out.

oooh, Videos. Friday is generally a quiz day in my classes. I am in Honolulu. Can someone help me locate this is my time zone? Does that sound like a silly question. Does the time difference change anything? I'd love to listen or is it look at what it has to offer!

I just checked out the Science Friday site and watched a few of the videos. I really enjoyed it! I think majority of the videos would work well with high school students but I found a few that could be used in middle school. I specifically looked for earth and space science videos and here are a few I found: Candy Corn in Space Reliving 30 Years of Space Travel How to Dress for Space Travel A One-Way Trip to Mars Voyager 1 Probing Solar System’s Distant Edge A Spacesuit Ballet-My favorite is the “bubble-boy” version. I couldn’t help but look at a few others and really enjoyed the video, Mini Speed Demons. I was in awe of those amazing creatures. Thanks Dawn

Thanks a lot for sharing these resources. I have recently been looking into sharing videos in lessons and these are excellent options. Science Bob has many cool videos that can usually get students attention and pique their interest in a topic. http://www.sciencebob.com/index.php

Thanks, all for so much good information. The candy one looks very much like a gumdrop DNA model we made in Biology. Not only can you make a really great looking double helix, but you can eat the whole thing too. No, the students did not care that their hands had been all over the gumdrops. They ate 'em just the same!

I don't have anything for you at this point, but I want to thank YOU for the reminder that I can go to Science Friday's webpage. It had slipped my mind. My district also uses Discovery, so if I hear of something else, I will share.

These are great podcasts. I've been using BrainPop. But sometimes Tim and Moby are not the best narrators. Creating Earth is beautiful; the full color pictures from space are breathtaking. The artist renders the pictures to provide clear and accurate images from space. My students will really like the film on how a magnifying glass can burn a hot circle. I'll have to provide some disclaimers, "Don't to try this at home."

I wathched few videos (those related to aerodynamics of flying) and I have to say that it is amazing what Science can bring so quickly in the aviation field ! Thank you also for the picture with A380 on the ground, that's fantastic!

Thanks, everyone, for your replies. Future Channel looks like another great source - and the lesson plans are fantastic.

Hi Duncan -- NeoK12.com has short interactive videos for all content areas. I have used several in the science area. Mr. Nussbaum is another site that I recently visited. There are so many, that my biggest problem is trying to figure out which ones to use and come up with an organized plan! There are so many awesome suggestions from these postings, I have started a notebook. Thank you to everyone for so much sharing. c.

Thanks Duncan for sharing the Science Friday site. I checked out some of the short videos - really neat ones on the flight of the pigeonS and taking paper airplanes to a new height. These types of stimulating shorts are great anticipatory sets to hook your students interest. I plan to use this site. Thanks again, Debb Clevenger

Thanks all for the terrific suggestions for videos and lessons. I teach Special Ed Physical science and biology. I need interactive stuff. Reading and writing are not the strong suits in my classes. I recently used PBS.org to obtain a fabulous video to end my quarter on DNA and reproduction. My students actually reported that they enjoyed it. I have been getting indifference on past videos. I recently found a magnet lesson in a SCI Guide for my Physical Science classes that I will be doing soon. Once again thanks all.

Hi Jeannie - I know exactly what you mean. I also teach students with sped services. The only time they are really interested in science is when we do labs. They don't even mind the writing that goes with the lab. Our benchmarks usually run weekly and our science classes are every other day, so it is really difficult to introduce a new topic, do the vocabulary, and do a lab with the lab write up. We always take longer to do things. We don't usually have time to reteach. It always seems so rushed. I do Earth Science, so I don't have ideas for Physical Science. I have tried many suggestions from the posts and have found some great sites/ideas. I also use alot of quick to the point videos - and the kids do like them. They match my students attention span. Good luck!

Our schedule runs a little different. Twice a week we have elongated periods, so those are the days I do labs. I agree with you that the students really don't mind the writing when it comes to a lab. Sped students are wired differently and we need to play into that hand to make them successful. That's why I love my job. Never a dull moment There are few subjects that overlap physical and earth sciences. My favorite is astronomy! The moon plays a role in our wave cycle and many others as well. Thanks for the comment

I visited my public library today. It's spring break for us and I was looking for entertainment.I just finished watching The Other side of the Moon. If you haven't seen it yet, you should. It gives you a new perspective on how "we", the people of planet Earth should take care of this planet that we inhabit. How amazing it all is. I am old enough to remember the events live, but not all of the details. Now as a "scientist" I look at it differently!

Unfortunately I don't have any videos, but I just wanted to say thanks for the idea! I had no Science Friday had videos. I'm also not a fan of radio-type things where it's literally, all talk and I know kids get squirmish and don't feel like paying attention. The only other video site I can think of is YouTube which is pretty much standard, but YouTube has a lot of valuable and educational videos too like the other poster recommended.