We all know Myth Busters, a great problem-solving TV show that shaped our understanding of STEAM. Many teacher across the globe has shown this program in their classes. But why?
Not only is it all about engineering and clearing up misunderstanding- but it also displays failure, experimentation and teamwork. All with Adam and Jamie's humor and signature style.
I used to show it all the time. But in recent years, with Amoeba Sisters, Crash Course and other science programs I had forgotten about it. I haven't shown any episode this year, so I though why not? Is there an episode or clip that applied to my content, as a life science teacher?
In fact today there was a perfect one- How do Viruses Spread so Quickly? In the episode Adam is given a 'fake' cold by using a tube with gooey stuff to make his nose run. Then in the goo they added invisible coloring only visible under black light.
Then they took six people - three who knew what the experiment was about (the spread of viruses), three who didn't. And they had a small dinner party. All six, plus Adam with his runny nose, sat around a table and has drinks and food by passing bowls around the table- they shook hands and interacted - mask-less. This was filmed years before Covid-19 hit the population.
At the end they looked under the black light and 5 out of the seven were highly infected- lots of red goo droplets hit them. Only one avoided contamination (she was a germaphobe and behaved differently.) It was a great way using familiar, comfortable individuals that students trust- to demonstrate a relevant fear- catching a virus.
It was an eye opening video for most students and it started a meaningful, real world situation discussion. Myth Busters is a show students love and it is always a good way to show them that science is fun. Science is exciting. That science is discovery.
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