If you're a homeschooler and you've never heard about the Discovery Channel show called Mythbusters, you're missing out on a great resource for homeschooling. Mythbusters' hosts Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage use the scientific method — and usually some black powder — to bust or confirm myths about just about anything. With crash-test dummies, homemade air cannons, and an abundance of explosions, Mythbusters is an incredibly fun and educational way to learn more about science.
Here's a small sampling of some of the myths Jamie and Adam try to debunk.
- Can fireworks really launch a person over a lake?
- Could MacGyver have blown off a cargo-ship steel door with only gun powder and a gun handle?
- Can a solitary stick of dynamite really sink a pickup parked on a frozen lake?
Jamie and Adam clearly demonstrate the scientific method in each episode. They may not use the terminology like "hypothesis," but they definitely use the scientific method. So it provides an excellent opportunity to discuss how scientific experiments are set up and run. As a bonus, viewers also learn a lot about physics and chemistry throughout the experiments.
Mythbusters is still shown on the Discovery Channel, so you can catch new episodes each Wednesday night. But many previous episodes are available online (that's how we watch Mythbusters since we don't have cable TV). To find Mythbusters episodes, just go to SurfTheChannel.com.
**Please note that there is some mild language in many of the episodes and some of the topics may not be appropriate for all ages. If you are concerned, I suggest viewing the episode before showing it to your kids.
I love Mythbusters and I let the kids use it as their only science when they were younger. As they have gotten older, my only issue has been that they play a little fast and loose with the statistics. It's not really a big deal for elementary age kids, but now that mine are in middle and high school, I often stop the DVR to discuss sample size, random sampling, etc. I haven't gotten into bell curves or anything that detailed. A few times, though, they claimed a myth confirmed or busted with a very small difference in results, a very small sample size, no statistical analysis, and no nod to the fact that they should have run the numbers. Can you tell I did some research in college? Yeah. It drives my kids a little nuts because this isn't an area that interests them right now but I want them to know now that they're older that rigorous science does demand more precision and accuracy. And it can be done with black powder, too!!
What a great idea! We can view MythBusters instantly via Netflix and I've been looking for more ideas for science. Thanks!
.-= Krystal´s last blog ..Sonlight Showcase–Elijah, Jonathan, and a Miniature Pinscher =-.
I love it!! My 9 year old son LOVES Mythbusters…he DVR's and watches every episode and we've got a couple of seasons on DVD. They're great! I've often said "Hey…this counts for science, right?!" Glad we're not the only ones! ;-D
I've also seen Mythbusters on Netflix Instant. Oh, just saw the above comment. lol
.-= Ginger´s last blog ..A Meme or a Stream of Consciousness =-.
I'm a brand new homeschool Mom of a high school boy.
Do you just let them learn by watching?
Do you have them write any papers to support what they are watching?