Thanks for watching!

Video time length estimate: approximately 5-6 minutes

Equipment used: Wattsup Pro, video camera

Introduction

• Three scientists in the lab in white lab coats
• Introduce show title: “Modern Technology Misconceptions Mythbusted”
• Danyelle + self introduction
• Maliha introduction
• Michael introduction
• “Nowadays, the average student has many misconceptions about modern technology… our goal today here is to debunk some of these myths… first, let’s see what it is kids are really thinking…”
• Maliha

Myth 1 (Danyelle in charge of asking 5 people- by Thursday): [Insert clip of students answering myth question (Ex: What saves more energy: turning off your laptop after each use or keeping it on sleep mode during non-use?”)]

• Conduct experiment using Wattsup Pro to find out which option uses the least amount of kilowatts
• Recorded in lab

Myth 2 (Michael in charge of asking 5 people- by Thursday): ask students “Why do you think flight attendants ask passengers to shut off electronic equipment during take off and landing?”

• [Insert clip of students answering question]
• With research we will answer the above question
• [Insert re-enacted clip of plane crashing using props] & [Insert clip of phone being off and plane flying normally]
• [Insert clip of “scientist” explaining science behind each scene and illustrating on whiteboard what can go wrong/where it goes wrong]
• Source list
• www.boeing.com/commercial/aeromagazine/aero_10/interfere_textonly.html

Myth 3 (Maliha in charge of asking 5 people- by Thursday): ask students “Do you think string lights use a greater amount of energy than a regular light bulb?”

• [Insert clip of students answering question]
• [Insert clip using Wattsup Pro to experiment on different strands of lights in different dorm rooms and different lamps]
• Conclude myth

Conclusion

• Figure the percent of students that answered the questions correctly and display results

>>SOME FILMING EXPECTED TO BE DONE BY FRIDAY’S (APRIL 22) DUE DATE

We are going to work with cell phones, microwaves, laptop computers, and mp3 players, along with other possible technological devices. Different misconceptions about each item will be researched/tested for validity. Data collection for some experiments can be taken with the megawatt pro. We will also be using the video camcorder to record a short, creative film capturing our findings from these debunked myths. All group members will play as actors in the film and will also work closely on the script; all members will also be involved in researching to prove/disprove the myths. Michael will record. We expect a majority of Vassar students to be aware of the falsity of these common misconceptions. Dates for meetings TBA.

Some possible myths to be tested:

• Cell phones- cause brain cancer; interfere with medical equipment in hospitals
• Microwaves- give off unsafe levels of radiation
• Laptop computer- turning off computer vs. keeping it asleep; keeping charger plugged in runs down battery; is it best to run down a battery before charging
• Mp3 Players- linked to cancer