Time Will Tell: Using Time Lapse
Photography and Digital Storytelling in Science
Roger Pence, MA Ed. Benicia Middle SchoolTouro University California
NSTA Area Conference Denver, [email protected]
Wiki resources: http://dsinscience.wikispaces.com
Session AgendaTime-lapse vs. Stop Action Photography
What are the Learning Goals?
What Skills Do Students Practice?
How are time-lapse stories constructed?
Samples of Student Work
Equipment, Software, and Techniques
What do students have to say about this (their words not mine)
Practical considerations and classroom handouts
Time-lapse vs. Stop Action Photography
Time-lapse aims to show slow-moving events quickly
Examples: flowers blooming, clouds passing, decomposition, etc.
Stop-action aims to “freeze” a moment in time for accurate and keen observation
Examples: a bullet from a gun, an explosion, pollen bursting from a flower, etc.
Slow-motion aims to “slow” the movement of something down for observation
What are the Learning Goals?
Students will be able to:Accurately and keenly observe a slowly unfolding event and record those observationsUse digital technology to photograph the event so as to compress the real-time unfolding into 60-90 seconds of timeResearch the underlying reasons for why we see what we seeWrite an accompanying narrative script describing the changes observed and why they occurUse video editing program to record live voice narration that describes the time-lapse videoProduce a final, sharable version
The “Old Way” before good
digital technology
What Skills Do Students Practice?
Observation
Recording of observed changes
Photography
Researching
Problem-Solving
Collaboration
Writing
Voice Recording
All related technology pieces
How are time-lapse stories constructed?
A suitable event is chosen
Practice photographing the eventChoice of suitable interval to end up with 30-40 discreet shots (every 5 minutes to 12-24 hour intervals depending on event pace)
Weaving observations into a coherent storyWhat needs description?Why, why and why?
Raw pictures are inserted into an editing program such as iMovie, Windows Live Movie Maker, Adobe Premiere Elements, etc.
Individual shot duration decided upon to produce 60-90 seconds running timeVoice recorded into program to provide accurate, revealing voiceover
The AssignmentOverarching, guiding question:
How can we show and describe scientifically events that happen too slow for us to see in real time?
Classroom Handout (uploaded to NSTA scheduler)
Samples of Student WorkSunset on Carquinez Strait - good narration
Chia Pet
Movement of Shadows
Flower Blooming - good tech narration
Night and Day
Day’s Light - overall good example
Bean Seed Growth – good photography
Sunset – ELL student
Molding Bread/Fruit - great narration
Egg in Vinegar – good collaborative work by three girls
Equipment, Software, and Techniques
Cameras and Photo EquipmentDigital camera (manually time shutter)Phone with good camera (can download app fro iPhone)Time-lapse camera (I have a Brinno see actual)
Computers and TabletPC, Mac, iPad, other tablet, iPhone
SoftwareMac: iMovie or Adobe Premiere ElementsPC: Windows Live Movie Maker, Adobe Premiere ElementsiPhone/iPad: Osnap!, Lapse-it, or others
Lighting considerationsConsistent and appropriate for subject/cameraIf photographing sun/moon, test for camera “washout”
Let’s Make a Quick One!
Obtain time-lapse photo set (one obtained from Brinno)
Observe and Write Script (draft)
Time script narration to adjust video length (1 minute)
Record narration
Add titles, credits
Finalize (Share) movie
What do students have to say about this (their words
not mine)“The only factor was the wind” (problem solving)
“I managed to work harder and it turned out just fine” (grit)
“This may help me in the future for other projects or similar situations” (transferable skills)
“Overall, I think I learned a lot and tried my best”
“I learned things I didn’t expect to”
“I had to do a lot or research on the internet to create this video…but it was fun”
Practical considerations and classroom handouts
Time Will Tell Project Directions
Time Will Tell Script Checklist
Offer groups of 2-3 so as to cover equipment needs.