Jurassic+Park;+Can+it+Happen?

//Science class for many students is a// **//Boring//** //and a// **//Waste of Time//**//. To add some excitement and entertainment I have been using books and movies to supplement the content part of the class. One of my greatest successes is including **"Jurassic Park"**, both the book and movie in teaching Evolution and Genetics. Both the book and movie make valid scientific points and at other times use// **//pseudo-science//**//. The class’s assignment is find evidence of both science and pseudo-science and post on this page. Attached are a few links that will help in your quest for the truth;

http://library.thinkquest.org/19037/general_info.html

http://www.shodor.org/ssep/lessons/jurassic/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_Park

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs///

JP Lang

Remarks:

Cool idea JP, I'm sure it's engaging and exciting or your kids to watch and seriously discuss Jurassic Park. (John Webber - 02/17/07)

This is a great idea for science. This method could also be used to find bias vs. non-bias thought on websites to help decifer if it is reliable or not! (Heidi Lappi)

I really think that this is such a great idea. It seems so surreal, but so interesting. I always enjoyed those kinds of movies (not so far from impossible). I also like that you are using the valid points from both the book and the movie to take the students back to reality! Nice page ideas! (Sara)

Great Idea! Jurassic Park as a teaching tool to discuss valid scientific ideas/concepts..e.g. cloning. Way to go! ( Keith B 53)

Science fiction movies and television shows are winning a larger audience every year. Jurassic Park is one of my personal favorites as well. It was exciting to see how the issues of cloning, evolution, and survival of the fittest unravel throughout the movie. A television series that is also catching the eyes of many is CSI. This series brings to light the importance of forensics in analyzing evidence and discovering causes of death. There are many science issues present in the series such as finerprinting, DNA, functions of body organs, and the affect of drugs and other susbstances on an individual's behavior. (Judy Mui)

I think that this is a great idea. It would be especially beneficial in the field of Social Studies. There are so many movies that are "based on true stories" that use some facts and some Hollywood exaggerations. Allowing students to view the movies and then research the story to pick out true and false would be a great learning tool. (B. Kierna)

There are a number of great science movies to watch eg [|Gattaca] and [|Outbreak]. However the movies are too long to show during a regular class. So I normally show excellent short videos from [|Ed Video Online]. These videos are for various duration, subjects and levels. Have you tried these yet?! But [|Michael Crichton] is a personal favorite of mine! I wouuld recommend his book/movies to students. [|Andromeda Strain] is a recommended reading for all science students, and one of my personal favorite. Louis Morgan