Mythbusters & The Scientific Method
Posted May 31, 2008
on:- In: Projects
- 31 Comments
The popular show Mythbusters is a terrific example of the application of the scientific method. Early in the school year I introduce the scientific method. I then hand my class a worksheet that they fill in as they watch one of the episodes I have on DVD. They have to identify the hypothesis, controls, variables, experimental steps, and conclusion. mythbusters-and-the-scientific-method
Next, the student choose to work as an individual or in a small group (2 or 3) and they work on coming up with a myth they are going to bust. Now, you and I know this is just a mini-science fair project, but they don’t see it that way. My students were just telling me that this was their favorite project of the year. Good thing I didn’t call it a science fair project. Anyway, I let them do whatever they want so long as they are doing good science and they are not doing something dangerous. When there were a few that were dangerous, I discussed the project with their parents to make sure they were aware of what their kids were doing.
I teach in Philadelphia at a Charter School and the students come from all over the city. It is very challenging for many of them to work together outside of school, so I have to allocate class time for them to do their project. I think I give them 4 days over a period of 2 weeks to experiment, work on their poster, etc. I’ve attached the guidelines and worksheet I use for them to document their project. I make sure they have thought through the controls and variables before they begin any experiments. mythbusters-project-guidelines and mythbusters-worksheet
The grading rubric needs a rework, but I included it as a starting point. mythbuster-rubric
I have the students do the project on regular poster board. I do this early in the year and then hang the posters on my wall as they are completed. They like looking at each other’s ideas and projects, and they like picking them apart, explaining how they would do the experiment differently.
31 Responses to "Mythbusters & The Scientific Method"
This sounds great! However, I’ve taped several shows and I find that they vary in terms of clarity of the scientific method. I teach younger kids– 5th grade– and the scientific method is an important part of our California standards. I kind of need to hit the nail directly on the head to have them identify the controls, etc. Do you have any episodes to recommend for viewing?
Thanks!
Mary
The Mythbusters episode on Pirates includes a segment that investigates the wearing of an eye patch to keep one eye ready for seeing in the dark. I think the episode is on YouTube. Not only is this a great example of the scientific method, it also covers the importance of controlling variables.
If you teach physics/physical science the episode where they test whether a bullet fired from a gun and a bullet dropped from the same height hit the ground at the same time is an excellent scientific method episode. They fail 2-3 times before they get it right and its an awesome demonstration of the concept…even after watching it the kids still don’t believe it.
That episode is actually called Knock Your Socks Off…and is coupled with the other guys trying to prove if you can knock someones socks off with a punch. Its on the collections 6 DVD.
Hi- I love your site; my son loves Mythbusters. Do you know of summer camps for high school students that use this fun, involved method to explore science (particularly physics)?
[…] fair in my classroom in about a week. Only I don’t call it that. I call it my “Mythbusters Project.” To be honest, I don’t care if it’s a stupid idea they are testing. I want […]
really same hear i hate science/health fair projects it makes me crazy
O my god i cant find anything for my science fair project and this is the website that my teacher told me to go on and its not giving me wat i need and its making me frustrated.:(
Thanks so much for posting this. I am a new teacher, and thought that using the Mythbusters to teach the Scientific Method would work really well. I did a google search and landed here. Thanks so much for having done some of the work for me! (Also, thank you to the person above who suggested “Running in the Rain” as the ep to use – I am going to Borders tonight to get the DVD.)
i would like to do a mythbuster about makeup for my upcoming project, have an sugestions?
I every time spent my half an hour to read this blog’s articles all the time along with a mug of coffee.
Great worksheet! Thanks for posting it. Nevertheless, I did notice that you misspelled suit…
My junior high kids enjoy Myth Busters too. Great idea for the scientific method. I will try your lesson this year with my 8th graders. Appreciate your efforts to commit and share in your blog, Scott!
I personally was initially searching for strategies for my very own blog and discovered your article, “Mythbusters &
The Scientific Method Physics & Physical Science Demos, Labs, & Projects for High School Teachers”,
do you care in the event that I really apply several of ur tips?
Many thanks ,Dianna
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1 | Marji
August 31, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I’d love to try this with my 7th graders. How do you help the students who can’t think of a myth?