Re: [Phys-l] Mythbusters

[Wilson Gonzalez-Espada <wgonzalezespada@atu.edu>]

David:
Some more information that might help (plus attachment):

2006-05-01 - NSTA Reports 
MythBusters Share Insights at President's Banquet in Anaheim
Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, special-effects experts and co-hosts of 
the Discovery Channel’s popular MythBusters series, shared their 
vision of the show with attendees of the NSTA President’s Banquet in 
Anaheim. They came on stage to great applause, but Savage really struck 
a note with the audience when he said, “It’s great that you are 
excited that we’re here, but we are humbled that you feel that we 
contribute to learning.” Hyneman added, “We’re the least 
qualified people in the room, but we’re getting the most 
attention.” 
Every Wednesday at 9 p.m. Eastern Time, the MythBusters tackle three 
myths by using “modern-day science to show you what’s real and 
what’s fiction.” They do this by actually demonstrating their 
ideas, not merely talking about them. The first to admit that they are 
not scientists, the MythBusters explain that is part of the show’s 
appeal. “If we actually knew what we were doing, it wouldn’t be as 
interesting.” 
Their popularity among science teachers was apparent, as often during 
the question-and-answer session, teachers explained how they used the 
show’s episodes to reinforce what they teach in the classroom. 
“They come into my class full of questions about the previous 
night’s episode on sinking a boat,” related one teacher. “I’m 
then able to bring in our lessons about buoyancy.” Another wanted an 
online “cheat sheet” to refer to in case she misses an episode. 
“I don’t want to be caught off guard by my students because I 
missed the show. I want to know what they are going to be asking me 
when they walk in the door.” Savage and Hyneman have already taped 
more than 60 episodes of MythBusters. (For a complete episode guide, 
visit 
http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/episode/episode.html.) 
Savage and Hyneman believe the main reason that their show resonates 
with their fans is because they demonstrate ideas using real examples. 
They emphasize that they “are more interested in the process than in 
the results,’’ as many times their plans do not work out the way 
they thought they would. They garnered the greatest applause when they 
said, “Failing is always an option. We are only right about what will 
happen about 10% of the time. It’s okay if the experiment doesn’t 
work. It’s what you learn from the process that matters.” 
NSTA President Mike Padilla ended the evening by saying that the 
MythBusters’ irreverent humor and no-holds-barred approach made this 
year’s President’s Banquet memorable. To read more about the 
MythBusters, visit 
http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/about/about.html. 

2006-03-08 - NSTA 
Discovery's MythBusters Coming to Anaheim
Myths, urban legends, old wives’ tales. How can one be sure what’s 
fact and what’s fiction? 
NSTA is pleased to announce that Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, 
co-hosts of Discovery Channel’s popular MythBusters series, will 
speak at the President’s Annual Banquet at the association’s 
National Conference on Science Education. The banquet will be held from 
7 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 8. 
The popular duo takes on three myths each week and uses modern-day 
science to show viewers what's real and what's fiction. And they do 
more than explain: Through trial and error, they actually demonstrate 
how something may or may not be scientifically possible. 
For more information about this event or other activities taking place 
at the Anaheim conference, visit www.nsta.org/anaheim





David Appell wrote:
> I'm a science journalist working on an article idea. I was wondering if 
any of you (high school or college) incorporate the Discovery Channel 
show "Mythbusters" into your physics lessons. Is the show popular among 
your students? Do you discuss topics that appear on the show, and the 
science content behind the various projects? That sort of thing....
> Email me directly, or to the list. Thanks.
>
> David
> -- 
> David Appell, freelance science journalist
> e: appell@nasw.org
> w: http://www.nasw.org/users/appell
> m: Portland, OR 
>
> _______________________________________________
> Forum for Physics Educators
> Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
> https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/mailman/listinfo/phys-l

--------------------------------------
Wilson J. Gonzalez-Espada, Ph.D.
Asst. Prof. Physical Science Education
School of Physical and Life Sciences
Arkansas Tech University
1701 N. Boulder Ave. (McEver Hall 203)
Russellville, AR  72801
(479) 968-0293 (479) 964-0837 fax