About

The Eureka Moments project was concerned with the development of the teaching resources that were contained within this website, and their trial at three middle schools within the Milton Keynes LEA. The idea was to broaden the appeal of the biological sciences at the key stage 2/3 level, using digital video as a motivational tool. The teachers and their students were taught how to use the DV technology and then helped to create short films enacting some of the great moments of discovery in the medical sciences. It was intended that the teachers would then be able to encourage the students to use these films both as a basis for the discussion of scientific issues and also the wider social and political impact of the biological sciences.

Future work was to be concerned with the use of these materials within a whole-class context, and with a less well-resourced instructional environment.

Pioneers

The first phase of the project focused on three early pioneers of the biosciences:

• Edward Jenner, who helped to rid the world of smallpox
• Marie Curie and her pioneering work with radioactive elements
• Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillin, the first antibiotic

These pioneers all fit within the context of the key stage 2/3 curriculum, and their work provided storylines that year 5-7 students were capable of developing and filming.

Making movies

There were many books and websites concerned with the general ideas of filmmaking, and even some devoted to the use of DV in the classroom. These materials were intended to be a ‘quick start’ guide for the teachers who took part in the Eureka Moments project.

Filming Fundamentals ‘A Guide for Teachers using the “Eureka Moments” Classroom Action Pack’.

PDFs

• Part 1: The equipment
• Part 2: Crossing the line
• Part 3: Composition and continuity

Project Resources

School Projects

The topic materials were evaluated at three middle schools in the Milton Keynes LEA :

Caroline Haslett School

Heronsgate School

Simpson School