Closed Captioned
Study Guide
Grades 5-12, College, Adult
Directed by David Shulman
Produced by BBC and The Open University
VHS Purchase $195
US Release Date: 2002
Copyright Date: 2002
VHS ISBN: 1-56029-968-1
Subjects
Biology
Chemistry
Critical Thinking
Earth Science
Geography
Life Science
Marine Biology
Natural Resources
Oceans and Coasts
Photography
Physical Science
Science
Technology
Society
Technology
Awards and Festivals
Gold Plaque, Chicago International Television Awards
Simmering Shutterbugs
The Rough Scientists devise a camera, make a compass, and dye a flag.
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"ROUGH SCIENCE may be the most fun anyone ever had learning science." St. Louis Post Dispatch |
Our scientists have calculated where they are on the globe, but can they now master a series of science-based challenges designed to enhance their existence, using just the natural resources of the island? Can they improvise a low-tech camera and film, make a compass, and dye a flag? Seawater, seaweed, and urine prove to be indispensable ingredients, but tempers begin to flare as things don't quite go to plan.
The other programs in the series are:
101. All Mapped Out - The Rough Scientists make a map, paper and ink, and a sound-recording device.
102. Bugs and Barometers - The Rough Scientists make anti-bacterial cream, a microscope, and a weather station.
103. Time and Transmitter - The Rough Scientists build a transmitter, make a portable clock, and a botanical kite.
104. Feel the Heat - The Rough Scientists make ice, a thermometer and sunblock.
105. Sun and Sea - The Rough Scientists build an underwater light and generate electricity to top up a battery.
106. The Science of Celebration - The Rough Scientists make fireworks and some musical instruments.
107. Mediterranean Mystery - The Rough Scientists work out their latitude and longitude, make insect repellent, and a radio from an old saucepan.
109. Power Supplies - The Rough Scientists produce electricity and create a small pharmacy.
110. Sustenance and SayonaraThe Rough Scientists make soap and toothpaste, and put food on the table.
Reviews
"This entertaining series...succeeds in making science fun and accessible."
"Thanks to a genuine sense of purpose and a refreshing lack of condescension, ['Rough Science'] works beautifully."
"An intelligent variation of the 'Castaway' theme."
"The episodes are remarkable; they realistically show the false starts and problems scientists encounter...Because so many students watch 'reality television' in their spare time, ROUGH SCIENCE will be a high-interest supplement to the curriculum. It would be a great review or extension resource, and it would also be a perfect lead-in to design projects where groups of students are assigned similar tasks. The series demonstrates the application of basic principles in biology, chemistry, Earth science, and physics, so teachers will find many applications in middle and secondary programs."