There are three rules:

• your film has to be about STEM in some way,
• it has to be up to two and a half minutes maximum in length, and
• it must be Not Boring.

The deadline for SciCast 2010 is April the 16^th 2010.

It's the ‘Not Boring' element that makes the great SciCast films great, as the film-makers have to apply creativity, artistry and ingenuity to their STEM subject.

Have a look at this film, The God Particle, which won Best Film From A Secondary School Team in 2009, but don't let it put you off, there are others that are brilliant in totally different ways as we'll see http://www.planet-scicast.com/view_clip.cfm?cit_id=2871.

Pretty impressive use of science, and of stop motion animation and all sorts of other techniques, eh what? This film knocks your socks off and was obviously a labour of love, over some considerable time. Here's another film that won Best Earth Science and Environment Film 2009 http://www.planet-scicast.com/view_clip.cfm?cit_id=2869.

Great ideas, great presentation, funny, simple, Bob's your Uncle.

SciCast has been running for two years now, the first year was effectively a pilot year which went rather well, and film entries doubled in the second year. The benefits for the participants are legion. Starting with the obvious; science knowledge is cemented, you can't make a successful science short film if you don't know what you're talking about, (though some have clearly tried). Your production team has to be smart, organised, they have to have achievable ideas, they really do have to work as a team, and they have to get to grips with cameras, editing packages and sound recording. As a side benefit, SciCast teaches them to be intellectual property savvy and encourages the understanding and use of Creative Commons Licensing.

Teams also get a licence to have fun. It's ideal for school groups of four of five who are off timetable for a day, or who can be given a series of lessons to work over. Science clubs, and, of course, film making clubs (where the God Particle came from) will also be great cradles for creative work.

If you're feeling a bit inspired yourself then that's fine too, SciCast is for everyone to enter, from primary children to working scientists, including science teachers and technicians, or any other motivated adult. The prizes, not that that's what's really important, are in many different categories.

 

 

Here's a film from Aksheusz Studios http://www.planet-scicast.com/view_clip.cfm?cit_id=2814, AKA a scientist who works at the National Physical Laboratory, it's oh so cute! (And you'll never forget how to mix oil and water again.)

Andrew Hanson, outreach Officer at the NPL was first to spot the potential of SciCast to spread the twin words of science and film-making at a local level, running the SciCast inspired Richmond Borough Scientific Edge Competition. Many of these films were also entered into the national SciCast competition, providing some notable winners. Here's one from Richmond that makes you glad to be alive: http://www.planet-scicast.com/view_clip.cfm?cit_id=2870  Absolute Absorbency or Not? Made with the whole of year three at Barnes Primary.

 

SciCast is, of course, also a resource, with all the films available on the site to use to illustrate points, introduce lessons, or, in this case, mesmerise with song until it's impossible to forget radiation information, here's the multi-prize winning Geiger Muller Groove  http://www.planet-scicast.com/view_clip.cfm?cit_id=2810. Also most of the films, where it's possible, are written up so if you don't know the featured demonstration or science already, you have a useful blueprint.

 

SciCast's first three years have been generously supported by NESTA, and run by NESTA and Jonathan Sanderson who is the TV and Online Producer who came up with the idea originally. The Scicast team are very happy to answer any questions you might have beyond what's available in their helpful Film School Section http://www.planet-scicast.com/film_school.cfm. They are clear that you don't need to be slick or polished, or possess expensive equipment, as long as you can film, record sound adequately and edit it's much more about STEM, and your application of creativity.

 

Finally it's impossible to sign off without introducing you to the film with the controversial title from SciCast 2008. Pure science inspiration; who wouldn't want to rush to a lab to try this? http://www.planet-scicast.com/view_clip.cfm?cit_id=2745

 

Contact: theteam@planet-scicast.org.uk