Phenomena – Episode 9: Evolution

Years

10-12

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Life is the most complex form of matter. The forces of nature combine, and simple lifeforms evolve into all the diversity of living things.

This film was submitted to the SCINEMA 2021 International Science Film Festival and was selected to feature in our Australian, Experimental and School categories. It also achieved the Special Jury Award at the festival. The filmmaker has kindly allowed us to continue to show the film beyond the festival. Watch it below and download the accompanying educational resource for fun activities to use with your students.

Video Length: 4:57 mins

Film Description

Life is the most complex form of matter. The forces of nature combine, and simple lifeforms evolve into all the diversity of living things.

Lesson Inspiration

Lifeforms are the most complex form of matter we know. Beginning in the micro, this episode looks at a single-celled life form that was filmed over a month. It captures the life form using energy to replicate, grow, and explore its environment. We then move into a timelapse of a frog egg growing into a tadpole, then undergoing metamorphosis into a frog which was filmed over 2 months. The same forces driving the evolution of the single-celled organism also drive the tadpole, revealing how lifeforms work in both simple and complex forms. The episode, at the end of the series, hints at the interconnectedness of all phenomena explored throughout the series and frames life as a rare and spectacular manifestation of the universe working in harmony with all-natural forces.

Useful when:

This film and activity are an excellent example of creativity in science and the importance of communication skills. The film works well with the Biology curriculum however the activity can be used with any science to encourage students to share the science they care about.

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Years: 10, 11, 12

Topics:

Biological Sciences – Evolution

Additional – Literacy, Information and Communication Technology, Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability.

Concepts (South Australia):

Biological Sciences – Diversity and Evolution

SCINEMA International Science Film Festival is the largest science film festival in the Southern Hemisphere! The 2021 festival is now over but we have permission for some of the films and their associated educational resources to use with your students.

Each resource is mapped to the Australian National Curriculum and contains hands-on activities for your students. Designed to engage and inspire, these resources demonstrate STEM careers and skills to your students, encouraging them to be curious thinkers, problem-solvers and contributing citizens within society.

Years:

10-12