Overview
Perceptual experiences are the foundation of our feeling and understanding the world. Perceptions happen without us putting any special effort. We hear, see, smell, touch and taste things naturally and unawares most of the time. Our senses alert us when something is not okay, dangerous, pleasant or unpleasant, poisonous or delightful. The purpose of the site visits is to focus on our sensory experiences and evaluate them. This goal is achieved through experiencing art exhibits, musical performances, food and wine tasting, perfume smelling, touching different materials. Although each visit is focused on one of the senses, each one involves the other senses as well. Our senses work together to provide us with a complete picture of the surrounding world.
Activity
While at home, with your children, watch and listen to Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Star Talk “How Lasers Work” video which is broadcast from Mr. deGrasse’s office at the Planetarium in the Museum of Natural History. He is accompanied by the radio host Chuck Nice.
Dr. deGrasse Tyson is one of the most prominent astrophysicists of our time. He is currently the Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space in New York City. He is also one of the most active science communicators. He is awarded numerous awards in recognition of his contribution to the development of astrophysics, but also for his relentless sharing of the achievements of science with the public. Mr. Tyson was born and raised in Manhattan. He studied at Harvard, University of Texas , Columbia and Princeton. As a high school student he visited the Hayden Planetarium and was forever mesmerized by the stars. He has shared his fascination with science in many television, radio and print media appearances. You can learn more about the amazing personality and scientist in Wikipedia or elsewhere online.
ASSIGNEMENT
Watch:
1. Here you shall find the link to one of his talks explaining lasers: https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&p=neil+de+gras+tyson#id=74&vid=333a39a36513ec80b1f0e1892606950d&action=view
2. Go to You tube and find another STAR TALK with Dr. Tyson, watch it and include that experience in your log as well.
OBJECTIVE:
During this lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the perceptual development site visits are going to be conducted from home, shared with the facilitator. Students are expected to submit a written log after watching the video reading the guide and, prompted by the instructions given at the end of this guide.
The purpose of this Site Visit is to pay attention to how you experience a video on a science topic through our senses: hearing, vision, etc.
1. The student will focus on the her perceptions while attending to the video.
2. The student will gain awareness of how color, light and sound are used to enhance awareness and comprehension.
3. The student will interpret clues received through the senses ( surroundings, colors, sounds, body movements, gestures, facial expression)
4. The student will use her ability to observe the environment and perceive information through the senses – how does the room like, is it contrast to the talk or not.
5. The student will make conclusions and derive concepts based on her sensory experience.
6. The student will enhance her awareness of how the senses affect our understanding of scientific knowledge.
7. The student will enhance her appreciation of the interaction between Dr. Tyson and Chuck Nice and how the interaction contributes to the understanding of the concepts presented.
WRITING the LOG
After reading the guide, watching and listening to the videos describe in the logs your sensual experience your emotions and thoughts. Focus on the interrelatedness of the three and trace back how all starts with our vision, hearing, smell, taste and touch, how the senses complement each other and what do we do when there is only visual and hearing stimulation.
The log should consist of three parts: describe, analyze and evaluate.
1. Describe the physical setting of the site visit (the office space in the Planetarium). Are the presenters relaxed and comfortable? How are they dressed? Are the surroundings distracting you from listening? Describe the behavior of the presenters, their facial expressions. Describe the body movements, gestures; the tone and pitch , timbre of their voices.
2.Analyze how the different elements: the office setting, the presentation, the dialogue, the body language are related. Is there any repetition of movements, words, visuals? What connects the different elements of the presentation? How does the behavior of the presenters affect you? Do you feel relaxed or intimidated?
3. Evaluate how did you feel while watching. Were you interested? Did the presentation make you happy or sad, or bored? Can you identify with what you watched; is it related to your personal experience? Would you like to repeat the experience AND why not or why yes? Are you more curious about science after watching the Star Talks?
