Closed Captioned
Study Guide
Grades 5 - 12, College, Adult
Directed by Sarah Topalian and David Shulman
Produced by BBC and The Open University
DVD Purchase $890 VHS Purchase $890
US Release Date: 2002
Copyright Date: 2002
DVD ISBN: 1-59458-093-6
VHS ISBN: 1-56029-960-6
Subjects
Biology
Chemistry
Children's Films
Critical Thinking
Earth Science
Geography
Life Science
Marine Biology
Natural Resources
Oceans and Coasts
Physical Science
Renewable Energy
Science
Technology
Society
Technology
Awards and Festivals
Gold Plaque, Chicago International Television Awards
Rough Science
10-part series in which five scientists on a tropical island cooperate to solve a series of scientific challenges using only their knowledge, ingenuity, and whatever is at hand.
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"ROUGH SCIENCE may be the most fun anyone ever had learning science." St. Louis Post Dispatch |
Two physicists, a botanist, a biologist, and a chemist are transported to an isolated island where they must work together to solve a series of challenges. Removed from their laboratories full of high-tech instruments and extensive supplies, they must rely on their collective knowledge, ingenuity and cooperation to accomplish their goals. They are given three days to complete their tasks and, with the exception of a rudimentary tool kit, must use only indigenous materials to do so.
The series shows the underlying principles that the scientists draw from in order to solve the challenges. These include making anti-bacterial cream and sun-tan lotion, making paper and ink, distilling salt water, building a weather station and predicting the weather, charting the island and drawing an accurate scale map, and even making fireworks!
Throughout the series, the personable scientists show how science and math can be exciting, fun, and extremely useful!
The programs in this 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.
108. Simmering Shutterbugs - The Rough Scientists devise a camera, make a compass, and dye a flag.
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."
"ROUGH SCIENCE may be the most fun anyone ever had learning science."
"An intelligent variation of the 'Castaway' theme."
"I wish they'd had ROUGH SCIENCE when I was in school."
"ROUGH SCIENCE dares to be genial and collegial, operating on the assumption that intellectual stimulation is not an exclusionary game... ROUGH SCIENCE resembles a 'Survivor' for smart people."
"This show helps viewers learn that we all solve problems."
"The premise of the show is that . . . knowledge will . . . rub off on the viewers while they are being entertained."
"A sound acquisition for school libraries to enhance the science curriculum as well as for public libraries with non-print science collections."
"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."