Project Exchange

Mythbusters: A Scientific Inquiry Project

By Stephen Kinney Marin School of Arts and Technology

Driving Question  What's this?

Students come up with their own driving question that can be answered using scientific means and data analysis

The "Mythbusters" Project is a variation on the classic scientific inquiry or science fair type of assignment. Instead of choosing a formal scientific question, students choose a myth to prove or disprove using scientific and problem solving means. The myth can be an urban or fairy tale type of myth or something the students may have seen in a movie (ie., could that really happen?). Or the myth can just be a fun scientific question that can be investigated. The catch is that they have to follow the same process used in the Discovery Channel's popular Mythbusters show and the myth cannot already have been used or tested on the show . The project culminated in an Exhibition where student groups acted out a live (with supporting video and presentation) 10-minute Mythbusters episode.

 

Subject Area(s): Digital Design, Math, Science, Visual and Performing Arts

 

Teaching Days to Complete: 8+ weeks

 

Keywords  What's this?

Scientific Inquiry, Data Analysis, Statistics, Digital Video, Mythbusters, Science, Scientific Method, Digital Art, Video Production

 

Outcomes  What's this?

Students demonstrate mastery of Scientific Inquiry through the use of the Scientfic Method. In most cases, but not all, students can apply standard deviation techniques from their Integrated Math class (IMP). Students produce a live (with video) production of their Mythbusters Project demonstrating many Digital and Performing Arts capabilities.

 

21st Century Leadership Skills  What's this?

Solve Problems Resourcefully , Express Creatively, Collaborate Productively

 

Graduation Portfolio Tasks  What's this?

Problem-solving Application, Scientific Inquiry or Science and Technology in Society, Creative Expression, Multimedia Project


PROJECT GENERAL RESOURCES

 

Project Overview Description
This document outlines the major aspects of the project and is provided to students at the project kickoff....
Download (Teacher/Student Reference, 83K)

 

Mythbusters Exhibition Rubric
This rubric was used at exhibitions to assess all major presentation components...
Download (Rubric, 47K)

Intro Montage and Myth Setup - Frozen Batteries
Stephen Kinney

Benchark #3: Myth Development, Predictions, and Teacher Approval, Benchmark #1: Initial Brainstorming, Benchmark #8: Conduct and Revise Experiments
Mythbusters: A Scientific Inquiry Project
Video

Mythbusters Exhibition Rubric
Stephen Kinney


Mythbusters: A Scientific Inquiry Project
MS Word

Mythbusters: A Scientific Inquiry Project
Dan Wilson


Mythbusters: A Scientific Inquiry Project
Video

Project Overview Description
Stephen Kinney


Mythbusters: A Scientific Inquiry Project
MS Word

Test Preparation - The Three Little Pigs
Stephen Kinney

Benchmark #5: Scientific Concept Identification and Research, Benchmark #8: Conduct and Revise Experiments
Mythbusters: A Scientific Inquiry Project
Video

Testing and Results - Battle of the Popcorns
Stephen Kinney

Benchmark #10: Myth Solved, Benchmark #8: Conduct and Revise Experiments
Mythbusters: A Scientific Inquiry Project
Video