Bullfrog Films
27 minutes
Closed Captioned

Study Guide
Grades 5-12, College, Adult

Directed by Sarah Topalian and David Shulman
Produced by BBC and The Open University

VHS Purchase $195
US Release Date: 2002
Copyright Date: 2002
VHS ISBN: 1-56029-964-9

Subjects
Biology
Chemistry
Critical Thinking
Earth Science
Geography
Life Science
Marine Biology
Natural Resources
Oceans and Coasts
Physical Science
Science
Technology and Society
Technology

Awards and Festivals
Gold Plaque, Chicago International Television Awards
Rough Science Series
Feel the Heat

The Rough Scientists make ice, a thermometer and sunblock.

"ROUGH SCIENCE may be the most fun anyone ever had learning science." St. Louis Post Dispatch

The challenges don't come much tougher than this as the team of scientists tackles the task of lowering the temperature on their sweltering tropical island. The chemistry of cooling ironically seems to involve heating things up first. With just three days to complete the task, as well as producing working thermometers and sunscreen, patience is soon simmering.

The other programs in the 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.

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.

Web Page: http://www.bullfrogfilms.com/catalog/rsfth.html

Reviews
"This entertaining series...succeeds in making science fun and accessible."

The Independent

"Thanks to a genuine sense of purpose and a refreshing lack of condescension, ['Rough Science'] works beautifully."
The Scotsman, Edinburgh

"An intelligent variation of the 'Castaway' theme."
The (London) Times

"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."
Richard Smith, High School Teacher, NSTA Recommends