History counts

In order to explore the science beyond the content it can be important to explore how content was developed. One of the things usually not mentioned in educational frameworks are the processes behind science and non-linear path toward the new knowledge acquisition. We have already talked about it in one of our blogs.

Our Croatian partner Bojan Markicevic from Science factory made a video about liquid aggregate state of matter. There are English subtitles which will help you to follow it even though the video narration is in Croatian. If you find the pace too fast you can adjust the playback in YouTube video settings. 

In this video Bojan is using the same metaphor of molecular dance to explain intermolecular bonds in liquids. The story about metaphors in teaching science was briefly explained in one of the previous posts which connects with this one as well. Not only with the content, the introduction to molecular kinetic theory but also about the variety of stories behind scientific explorations.

Here we would like you to notice how the history of scientific discoveries was placed in the content of liquids. Processes behind discoveries are usually not taught nor are the time frames for those discoveries. Behind every single idea, invention, law or equation there is a human being. From a screw on your glasses with which you are reading this text, which does not have Robertson square-socket drive screw patented in 1910 but probably Phillips screw patented in 1936 to lenses on them and the variety of screens you are using now to read these words. You probably remember from your education a certain number of people, scientists, engineers and their contribution to science. But all of them, all rules, laws, equations, ways we draw coordinate systems, use different symbols for variables were invented by somebody, somewhere, sometime. 

In this video there is a significant part about serendipity. Serendipity as an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident is something present in research practice. Accidental discovery in 1827 by Scottish botanist and paleobotanist Robert Brown. He unexpectedly created evidence for the thousand year old idea that the “stuff” is made out of smaller indivisible “stuff” we call atoms. The idea was forged by pre-Socratic philosopher Democritus and mathematically described by Albert Einstein at the start of the 20th century. Take a look at the video about the liquid aggregate state of matter while paying attention to all the small details which are spicing up the content.

Why is it SPOON compatible?
Because it is a partner’s questioning of its own practices, disrupted by the pandemic and distance learning. By exploring different ways of sharing the key message behind the project how science teaching is not only about the content.