Assignment: Scientific method

This is part of a series suggesting different ways to use Moviestorm in schools or other educational environments. They also make useful exercises for film-makers wanting to develop and practice different film-making techniques. Many more lesson plans and ideas, with free downloadable resources, can be found on the Moviestorm Web site.

Assignment: Scientific method
Create a short film explaining scientific method.

Suggested techniques

This could be presented as a lecture, a case study, a debate, or a documentary.

Alternatively, take a more unusual approach. For example, use a Mr Bean type character who behaves erratically to try and achieve something, and contrast with a scientist who methodically tries different approaches until he figures out a solution.

Intersperse the presentation with still images and video if appropriate.

Add extra content on-screen by using text to complement what you’re saying. This may be necessary if your examples include complex or theoretical topics which can’t be shown easily on screen (such as relativity or chemical reactions).

For teachers: benefits to students

• This is an enjoyable way to present and understand this important topic.
• Adding multimedia content enables the student to approach the subject in a richer way than just using written text and still images.
• Finding images and music to enhance the presentation requires detailed research.
• Providing narration builds confidence in speaking without needing to do it in front of an audience or camera.
• Creating a multimedia presentation helps develop presentational skills and requires the student to consider what information is best presented using the different media: spoken, written, or visual.

Suitability

• Ages 14+
• Suitable for groups or solo
• Science