These Infomercials Teach Science - ISTE Article 7

These Infomercials Teach Science, by Lindsay Cesari and Patrick Donahue.

What a great article! The authors found a very clever way to incorporate the NETS*S standards into the science curriculum introducing 8th graders to the periodic table of the elements by having the students make an infomercial to sell their element. The were able to introduce, digital storytelling,advertising techniques, Photoshop software editing, and the concept of marketing and having a board meeting to decide which element they will purchase. The students who did this project were checked by formative assessments daily and a summative assessment at the end of the project.

Question 1: The article mentions a "Creative Commons license" What is that? It is a nonprofit website that helps direct you to material that you may use. With a Creative Commons license, you keep your copyright but allow people to copy and distribute your work provided they give you credit. Use caution though, it is not screened for inappropriate content.


Question 2: What other science topics could benefit from this method? Students in a biology class could sell their cell and have to explain why their cell is the best. For example a student could sell a neuron and charge a premium for it because they make up your brain. Another student could sell a muscle cell, and another could sell a pancreas cell. The students would learn a great deal researching why their cell is better than the other ones. This would meet the CA standards about cells and a NETS standards about using technology.



Cesari, L. & Donahue, P. (2010). These Infomercials Teach Science. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37 (8)

RYAN KELLY