by KYW's Dr. Marciene Mattleman
Jonathan Nyquist is a professor at Temple University who teaches a core- required science course to non-science majors. Nyquist devised a way to hook them. He uses movies-- breaking each session into three parts; lecture, film and activity.
Each class is planned as an active learning experience—helping students learn that science doesn’t just pose questions that can be quantitatively answered.
In the class “Disaster: Geology vs Hollywood,” Nyquist explains how volcanoes erupt. He then shows the disaster movie “Volcano” in which lava forms underneath Los Angeles causing buildings to explode and cars to burn. Helicopters are brought in to drop water.
Class members then calculate how much water is required to cool the lava and conclude that thousands of helicopters would be needed. They’ve quantified a scientific, albeit fictional phenomenon.
A final project is required of students to make the connection between class and their major. One art student studied the effect of acid rain on statues.
After speaking with Nyquist, I wanted to take his course. It’s no wonder he won an innovative teaching award.
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