Thread: Defining Physics in a way that kids understand (Nuclear Fission and Fusion)

Hello everyone,
I made this video after I read an article explaining why girls are not that interested in science, the article says that the main reason it's because they don't have attractive role models in that field.
After I decided to make a video about science trying to explain Nuclear Fission and Fusion in an interesting way for the kids so I can help girls realize that they won't lose their femininity if they become scientists.

( This is the article I read: University of Michigan News Service | My fair physicist? Feminine math, science role models do not motivate girls)

This is the video I made:
Cute Science: Fission and Fusion! :3 - YouTube


So what do you think about that? =]

That's really wonderful. The video's produced really well, too.

Well the scientist who discovered radium was a female, so I don't believe girls don't have role models. But your video is pretty good.

I thought you did a reasonably good job of the explanation but I was pretty uncomfortable about the "girl" focus and especially using the word "cute". otoh, I'm an old guard 1970s feminist and my personal views don't matter a lot if something works better for girls young enough to be my grandchildren.

Some professionals have been doing a lot of work in this area and you'd be well advised to read some of their work if you want to continue along this line. There was an absolute clanger along these lines put out recently by the EU. (Not that your work was anything like as ham-fisted as what these guys put together- theirs really was a bit like "science Barbie".)

This item is a reasonable discussion, more importantly it has links to other items which are also worth serious consideration. Why “Pinkifying” Science Does More Harm Than Good - Skepchick

One extract is worth quoting.

..... girls felt it was unlikely they could live up to both the science aptitude AND femininity of these new, girly science role models.

Like your work. Make sure you put in the extra non-hard-science work to get the right message across to the girls you want to make an impression on. It's no good if they think you're clever and cool but science, maths or engineering is beyond them. You need to give them confidence in themselves, not just admiration for other science-educated women.

Oh, and I really love this site. Scientists look like normal people - and they have exciting lives.

This Is What A Scientist Looks Like

That is an interesting point of view and thank you for showing me that article.
Though I don't believe I was that kind of barbie girl. I didn't use make up except eyeliner, I didn't strike poses like models, I didn't provoke with my body and I actually tried to explain something scientific in a fun way so people can understand it.
And I specifically used my everyday dressing look in order to make people think about how wrong prejudgment is.
Please tell me how I can improve.

Lordy, I'm the last one to know. I don't even have any grandchildren of my own of any age, let alone your particular group, to guide me on this. Though I do have a fair amount of experience with high school students as a maths tutor.

My only thought would be to focus on the science as science. If you're enthusiastic about that particular topic, when you say that you think it's cool or cute or amazing, say it as your opinion. 'Now that's cute.' 'That really surprised me.' 'How neat is that!' 'This one blew me away.' 'I had to do a bit of work to get my head around this.' or whatever words seem right to you, rather than try to persuade others what to see or think or feel about it.

Your enthusiasm or interest or excitement should come across as entirely your own - or if you're using someone else's video or presentation, that you found it helpful or insightful or whatever words are natural to you. Most of us have had that why didn't I think of that?! reaction to good stuff we find on other people's sites. You can use that approach from time to time.

Basically, don't try to teach. Let your knowledge, creativity and enthusiasm come across as exactly that.