Armageddon

Armageddon (1998)

Concept featured in film: What is a scientist?

Location of clip:

DVD: Chapter 6: The Physicals; let run for ~3min 40sec

Summary of clip: A crew of ‘roughneck’ oil drillers are asked to land on an asteroid heading for Earth and drop a nuclear warhead into its core. This scene shows how they are classified as NASA Astronauts by going through required NASA tests. This scene changes the way we see ‘what it means to be a scientist.’ It allows us to question the misconception of ‘what is a scientist?’

Connection of flickclip to the concept: This flickclip would be a way to correct the preconceptions or misconceptions of what it means to be a scientist in the sense of being an astronaut. The clip should create discussion of what is a scientist and redefine the typical old, white male in a lab coat and goggles.

Suggestions to Teachers:

1. Suggested questions/activities for students before viewing of the clip:

a.What do you think it means to be a scientist?
b.Draw what you think a scientist looks like.
c.Discuss the drawings similarities and differences.

2. Suggested discussion questions and activities for students after viewing the clip:

a. What does it mean to be a scientist?

b.What does a typical scientist look like?

c. If these oil drillers can be classified as scientists then what does it mean to be a scientist by today’s standards?

d. How can we overcome our preconceptions of what it means to be a scientist and how we think of science in general?

3. After discussion of these previous topics have students talk about their previous experiences with scientists or how they have been scientists themselves when trying to figure something out.