Teach Science With Science Fiction Films:
A Guide for Teachers and Library Media Specialists

Introduction                                                                           
Why learn science?                                                                  
What is science fiction?                                                            
Why use science fiction to teach science?                                 
Research on teaching science with science fiction films              
Common fallacies and errors in science fiction films                   
How to use science fiction films in a classroom                         
How to use this book                                                               
How to get science fiction films                                                
 National Science Standards Matrixes                                      
National Science Standards by Film                                         
National Science Standards by Activity                                    
Information Literacy and Technology Standards Connections

Science Fields:

Biology, Human:                                                                       
Fantastic Voyage                                                                     
Immunity Syndrome                                                                 
Unnatural Selection                                                                  
Activity: Catalyst Enzymes                                                   

 Biology, Animal:                                         
Beginning of the End                                                                
Operation Annihilate (NSTA Award winning lesson)                
Them                                                                                       
Activity: Acceleration Due to Gravity & Reaction Time   
Activity: Evidence of Speed                                                  
Activity: Termite Training

Biology, Plant:                                               
Day of the Triffids                                                                    
The Lorax

The Thing                                                                                
Activity: Flower Dissection                                                 
Activity: Build a Flower                                                      

Chemistry:                                                   
Andromeda Strain                                                                   
Arena                                                                                      
Home Soil                                                                               
Activity: Conductivity Tester                                               
Activity: pH & Indicators                                                     
Activity: Crystal Growth

Earth Science:                                                    
Earthquake                                                                              
Journey into Amazing Caves                                                    
Journey to the Center of the Earth                                            
Twister
Activity: Locate an Earthquake Epicenter                         
Activity: Flame Tests                                                            
Activity: Severe Weather
Activity: Tornado in a Bottle

Environmental Science/Ecology:                        
Darkness Falls
StarTrek IV                                                                             
Trouble with Tribbles                                                               
Activity: Qualitative Testing of Carbon Dioxide; a Pollutant
Activity: Growing Triops
Activity: Tree Slice
Activity: Tag and Recapture

Geology                                                           
Dante’s Peak
Jurassic Park                                                                           
Monolith Monsters                                                                  
Activity: Crystal Systems                                                      
Activity: Fossil Formation                                                   

Marine Science:                                               
It Came from Beneath the Sea                                                 
Finding Nemo
Jaws                                                                                        
Activity: Animal population survey: tag and recapture,
Activity: Using Fish Anatomy to Determine Habitat
Activity: Shark Key                                                               
Activity: Squid Dissection                                                    

Physics:                                                          
Booby Trap                                                                             
Destination Moon (NSTA Award winning lesson)                    
Forbidden Planet                                                                     
October Sky
Activity: Personal Radiation Dose                                      
Activity: Size of the Sun & Moon                                        
Activity: Free Fall and Forces                                            
Activity: Parallax Viewing                                                  

STS: Science Technology & Society:                
Day the Earth Stood Still                                                          
Devil in the Dark                                                                      
Ethics                                                                                      
Fly Away Home                                                                      
Activity: Goose origami                                                        
Activity: Build an Electric Motor                                        
Activity: Panorama Diorama                                               

References      
Appendix
Synopsis of Films        
Major Film Topics       
Guidelines for using repurposed films    

Return to the Teach Science With Science Fiction Main Page