The complete film

The first idea for this project was to make a film; then this website came along. The film, ultimately, is the story of the website. Watch it here, and let us know your thoughts below. You can also watch the film in bite-size pieces on this page:

72 Comments

  1. Phil Cook
    Posted March 10, 2009 at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Reply

    As ever, Alom's work is full of warmth, enthusiasm, and intellectual rigour.

    He also manages to bring out those characteristics in the people to whom he is speaking.

    I love the fact the film is so positive. If you're a teacher, you've got to be that. And if you're not - resign now!

  2. Rosie Coates
    Posted March 10, 2009 at 6:36 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Brilliant, well done!

  3. Posted March 11, 2009 at 10:54 AM | Permalink | Reply

    Alom

    Many thanks for producing such a though-provoking film and website. Excellent work and a 'must see' for science communicators, scientists, teachers and beyond. Well done... Linda

  4. Richard Gold
    Posted March 11, 2009 at 3:40 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Absolutely fantastic video. Thank you so much for making it. It's a truly inspiring piece of work.

  5. Hypatia
    Posted March 11, 2009 at 4:10 PM | Permalink | Reply

    I think the outreach of science is not important...it's URGENT! so congratulations for doing such a good job with your video and your project. I wish more people actually do more things to spread the word of why science is important

    Greetings from Mexico City

  6. Posted March 11, 2009 at 5:15 PM | Permalink | Reply

    This was a really enjoyable video. You did a great job putting it together.

  7. Posted March 11, 2009 at 5:30 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Brilliant work Alom,
    Well done and thank you very much for making it.

  8. Simon Martin
    Posted March 11, 2009 at 8:42 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Cracking film - really enjoyable and thought provoking. Nice job Alom

  9. DWalker
    Posted March 11, 2009 at 11:33 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Wonderful movie. Great concept. Excellent use of the web as a teaching tool. As a school board member, I'll pass this along to as many teachers as I can. As an anthropologist, I note that biological anthropolists define the process of human evolution as the increasing reliance on intelligence as a way of life. Science is literally in our genes.

  10. Kimberly Ennico
    Posted March 12, 2009 at 5:04 AM | Permalink | Reply

    Thank you and all your supporting players in weaving a wonderful and true assessment of the richness, importance and rapture of science, even just a little tip of that iceberg of the promise of scientific discovery and enlightenment. I'm a scientist at a NASA center in California and although I am so lucky in my day-to-day life to be surrounded by more questions to ask and more answers to solve (and get paid for it too!), I frequently emphasize the need for communicating the importance (and relevance) of science (and just being curious in general) to everyone I come in contact with. I have passed on your link to as many teachers as I know, because teachers are a critical link in our communication to those who will continue to ask and solve curiosities in our future. The curious mind defines us, otherwise we would never have stepped out of that proverbial cave! Thank you.

  11. Posted March 12, 2009 at 4:52 PM | Permalink | Reply

    This was a really enjoyable film, and very well produced. Congratulations on a fantastic project, here's wishing you every success with it in the future.

    Liz

  12. Eleanor
    Posted March 12, 2009 at 5:28 PM | Permalink | Reply

    I think the film was really good! Obviousely I was great too! A lot of work went into this film and it deffinately payed off!

  13. Julia Ihnatowicz
    Posted March 12, 2009 at 7:03 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Alom, I think your film is really marvellous and manages to do what so many academics fail to achieve: present the arguments without simplifying them, with sufficient detail and depth, whilst also making them clear and understandable for expert and layman alike. I have to say that I heartily agree with the sentiment that questioning the world and the universe, and accepting that questions are not only ongoing and limitless but also a necessary and fundamental part of being human, is the most crucial thing for any person to take away from their education and stands at the core of all academic endeavour. But I don't think that science can claim this sentiment exclusively as its own. As I understand it, the disciplines within humanities and the arts are equally interersted in questioning and trying to understand who we are, how we got here and where we are going. They cannot answer questions about the fabric of the universe, but they try to answer the ones about the fabric of human society, how we operate and function. Through the study of human endeavour and human creativity, the humanities, like the sciences, are investigating what we can acheive as a species. I don't disagree in the least that science is vital and holds the keys to specific questions but, in defence of my own discipline, I think that questioning how the world works, physically, chemically, biologically, socially, economically, politically, even linguistically, lies at the heart of all acaedmic pursuit.

  14. Posted March 13, 2009 at 1:45 AM | Permalink | Reply

    Science, alongside with critical thinking, is important because it's the only way we have to find out the true nature of everything.

    With science we can at last let go our fears and primitive superstitions, we can look up on a starry night and marvel at the wonders of our universe without making nonsense up.

    And of course, as Sagan once said, "Understanding is a kind of ecstasy".

    In my personal blog, everynow and then I try to post about science and/or debunking myths; we all have to do what's in our hands to reach out and introduce everyone to critical thinking.

    Best regards.

  15. Dick Bentley
    Posted March 13, 2009 at 10:01 AM | Permalink | Reply

    Great film! Excellent stuff!

    My own feelings are that science is important because it is the expression of our curiosity, the need to know WHY. So it's still important even if the results of scientific investigations do not seem to have a practical application. Of course, apparently useless facts often turn out to be vital, but even if they don't they are still important.

    I think that the desire to suppress curiosity or to defeat it may be the clearest definition of evil. All wrong-doing involves lies and concealment, no matter what arguments are cooked up to make it seem right, justifiable or pragmatic. Science is the opposite of this, making the truth plain even if the revealed truth is uncomfortable, unwelcome or goes against long-established dogma.

    We need more science. Not just experiments in labs, but more use of scientific methods in our everyday lives, more knowledge of science in our personal philosophies.

  16. Andy Wetmore
    Posted March 14, 2009 at 4:25 AM | Permalink | Reply

    I liked your film very much, though you are preaching to the choir in my case because I already believe that science is important.

    I agree heartily with your view that learning how to use the scientific method is incredibly useful in life. I also think that learning to appreciate the method allows you to trust it, and to respect the work and the results of scientists who advance human knowledge through science.

    Thank you for sharing this work.

    Andy Wetmore
    Richmond, California, USA

  17. Posted March 14, 2009 at 7:48 AM | Permalink | Reply

    Hi Andy,

    totally agree with you - I suspect that, so far, this project is probably "preaching to the choir". However, I hope you, and others who have watched the film, will help get non-choir members to watch the film too...

  18. Posted March 14, 2009 at 9:45 AM | Permalink | Reply

    Wonderful, wonderful stuff! Have popped it on my blog and would love to hear more! :) Will it be available for distribution in the future?

  19. Alom Shaha
    Posted March 14, 2009 at 1:13 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Thanks for your support Kylie. It's going to be available on this website indefinitely. You csn download a high res version from vimeo for personal use or get in touch with me and I'll send you a DVD.

  20. Posted March 14, 2009 at 10:34 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Excellent work. You are addressing a "gateway" problem in science education and understanding. THANK YOU for this work.

  21. Greg Foot
    Posted March 15, 2009 at 6:55 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Massive congrats on completing the film Alom. I’m hugely impressed, not only at the success of the web side of the project but also in the quality of the final film. It’s inspirational and thought-provoking but what I most like is how you’ve introduced subjectivity into a discussion on science. It’s cool to have people talking of their experiences and thoughts of a subject rather than just the straight impersonal facts we always get in docs. And nice one on the presenting! A number of brilliant links, my favourite of which is the long PTC at Qinetiq. That centrifuge thing looked great fun!! I hope word spreads about this film and gets some brains firing!

  22. Ronan McDonald
    Posted March 15, 2009 at 11:28 PM | Permalink | Reply

    I enjoyed it, learnt from it and agreed with most of it. So would many of my students. You present powerful ideas in a clear but not oversimplified manner. This is a very impressive work.

  23. Posted March 16, 2009 at 8:55 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Excellent! It should be compulsory in all schools.

  24. Harsh Verma
    Posted March 27, 2009 at 6:37 PM | Permalink | Reply

    The need for science in the modern age has never been greater,We need sturdy and rigid backgrounds in the field of science to progess in life and understand the world around us.As the modern age enters the space age we need to educate the children of this world to continue this unparraleled knowledge forward for the generations to come.Melleniums' worth of knowledge would be wasted to the winds if the education board does not disipline the children of this country.

  25. Tom Wells
    Posted March 29, 2009 at 5:46 AM | Permalink | Reply

    Alom,
    Wow! Thank you for this production! I plan on sharing it with administrators, colleagues, pre-service teachers, and many of the “young scientists” I work with everyday. You are to be commended for your work.

  26. will
    Posted March 29, 2009 at 7:04 AM | Permalink | Reply

    To play the devil's advocate, might we consider that science is often geared toward solving problems that it, in fact, created, either directly or indirectly?

    Alom mentioned that science helped save the world by (a) discovering the hole in the ozone layer; (b) determining what was causing it; and (c) what we had to do to fix it. Turns out, as Alom mentioned, it was CFC's that were to blame. Well, CFC's were developed by a scientist, Thomas Midgley, in in 1928. So science created CFC's. Can we say that science created the hole in the ozone? We've certainly said that science closed it.

    Science helps us develop medicine to treat any number of health problems. How many of these problems are a product or result of the lifestyle that science has permitted us to live?

    Science in agriculture makes it possible to feed billions of people. Without genetically modified rice, corn, and wheat, the current global population could not be supported. But it also never would have gotten this high in the first place.

    Perhaps science is more neutral of a force that this film makes it out to be?

  27. Alom Shaha replied to comment from will
    Posted March 29, 2009 at 7:51 AM | Permalink | Reply

    Hi Will,

    I totally agree with you...scientific discoveries can lead to problems as well as benefits for humanity. I believe I make that point in the film - shortly after the sequence on global warming etc. I make the point that science has led to weapons of mass destruction. I say in the film that it's up to us how we decide to use the fruits of science, through the democratic process, and that's why it's important for as many people as possible to understand science.

  28. Posted March 29, 2009 at 7:52 AM | Permalink | Reply

    Hi Tom,

    thanks for your comment. It would really help me with my evaluation of this project if you could write to me and tell me where you work - alom(dot)shaha(at) gmail(dot)com

  29. MDavis
    Posted March 29, 2009 at 1:15 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Seeing this is exactly what I needed! I teach science in a small district where science is...not exactly "important" to the higher-ups. It's all about standardized testing. Now that we've entered the slow crawl to spring break, the kids are tired, the teachers are tired, yet we must keep plugging along. Seeing this film reminds me of why I became a science teacher...because it IS important, and it reminds me that I need to keep that frame of mind ALL year, and if I don't, how can I expect it from the kids?

  30. Posted March 29, 2009 at 3:48 PM | Permalink | Reply

    It is important not only to do science but also to spread the word why we are doing it.

    Moreover, by being able to say why we are doing it make it more clear than ever.

    I would like to appreciate the efforts you have put on to it!

  31. Michael
    Posted March 29, 2009 at 7:11 PM | Permalink | Reply

    @ will:

    The title of the film isn't "Science: a positive, neutral, or negative force," and it certainly isn't meant to be a comprehensive analysis of the effects of science on humanity. It addresses what it set out to address to the generation in the classroom. It reinforces why science is important, partly through discussing the problems that it can solve.

    Saying science created CFCs and solved Ozone depletion, thereby making the overall process a neutral force is naive. The whole process of creating CFCs, finding out they were bad, and substituting other fluids brought us things like the refrigerator. If you don't want to "dis your mum", unplug your fridge and start stuffing your food with salt.

    Science has enabled the population to grow to numbers that it may not be able to sustainably handle. The flip side is to stand idle and let people die off. Go ahead and argue that point, and that would be seen by most as a less than positive force.

    I enjoyed the film, and even as a PhD student I found it inspirational. I think I'll head back into the lab, even though its a Sunday. Thanks, Alom.

  32. daveW
    Posted March 31, 2009 at 7:55 AM | Permalink | Reply

    GR8 movie. Should help those students who feel they need some credible non-nerdy excuse.

    And in the true spirit of scientific enquiry, it opens up further questions whose answering might lead to even greater understanding of values, ethics and the true meaning of science. For instance, where does the film's advocacy of scientific enquiry leave those who find the current concensus on global warming to be lacking in observational evidence or analytical rigour? How much time can be devoted to engaging with current controversy if the eventual class concensus differs from the schools of thought that students are expected to embrace? What if they conclude, for instance, that there is evidence that the moon landings were a Hollywood hoax. And although you pointed out that the alternative to science was the possiblity of being duped by "mumbo jumbo" etcetera, could that alientate those who find comfortable life guiding validity in their religious beliefs?

    Perhaps the focus could be shifted in favour of acceptance of alternative possibilies, just like we already must in science for wave/particle duality, quantum indeterminancy, or competing attractor states in chaos theory. We cannot rely on rigourous enquiry to reveal a single truth. And as only a self deluded expert would regard themselves as having fully understood their own particular discipline by such means, it seems rather dishonest suggest that as an achievable purpose for learning science. Increased scientific enquiry only leads to inreased realisation of our lack of understanding.

    For me, the journey is more important than the final destination. I am addicted to discovering patterns and dilemmas that might not have been previously noticed, then challenging myself to come up with the simplest possible reconciliation.

    But while I love challenging myself with that level of enquiry, I suspect most students would rather learn the mimimum necessary to get the exam marks they need to pursue long term learning goals of their own chosing. Meanwhile, if satisfaction can be derived from believing we are in pursuit of more noble immediate goals, then where's the harm in that fine fiction? Your film fits that frame perfectly.

  33. Katherine Coyne
    Posted April 2, 2009 at 7:54 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Thank you Alom for a brilliant and inspiring film. It is a beautifully presented collaborative effort including some impressive scientists, and communicates its message extremely effectively.

    As a medical doctor, I understand why people need to appreciate the importance of science and analytical thinking in order to make informed decisions. It is only by critically examining facts and figures that indiviudals can choose the best options for their own medical care and for public health. If this film helps encourage teachers and children to embrace the scientific method then it will be hugely beneficial.

  34. Mandi Arnold
    Posted April 3, 2009 at 6:44 PM | Permalink | Reply

    I am a science teacher and have often been asked why what they are learning is important. As with many great questions, it is often hard to articulate an answer that speaks to your students. Your film has given me a lot to think about and some ammunition for the upcoming semester. Thank you and your contributors for sharing your thoughts and ideas.

  35. Martin Zeilig
    Posted April 17, 2009 at 10:13 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Splendid film -- enlightening,empowering and entertaining.

  36. Posted April 21, 2009 at 4:19 AM | Permalink | Reply

    Mr. Shaha:

    Thank you for this wonderful film. I work at a science museum in the US, and we still struggle with this question. I believe there are many reasons that science is important, and that no one answer can capture the fullness of the topic. That's why your film is so powerful; it doesn't deny the relevance of each of the points made by the various speakers.

    Yet you do have your own answer, which is very close to my own. I've written about it on my own blog many times. Science is something we do because we are human beings, a young and inquisitive species on an ancient planet in a vast and even more ancient universe. We are a way for the universe to know itself.

    Thank you for your wonderful thoughts on the subject. Keep fighting the good fight.

  37. N::
    Posted July 21, 2009 at 12:54 AM | Permalink | Reply

    Hi Alom,

    thank you very much for time and patience to enlighten so many people about science. It is a fascinating on its own, but I really appreciate popularizators of science like Simon Singh, Richard Dawkins, Carl Sagan or you.

    Thank you again for your time,
    N::

  38. Federico von der Pahlen
    Posted July 21, 2009 at 7:52 AM | Permalink | Reply

    Great movie!

    Really good approach to your question. But not only, entertaining too.
    You should let the BBC have a look at it, if you haven't yet.

    I would have loved to have a teacher like you.
    I was lucky enough to be the son of a scientist who told me about evolution and one celled organisms since I was six. However, a proper scientific education should not be something for the lucky few, as much as health care or democratic rights, since it lets us decide for ourselves with a better knowledge of our world, and thus helps us to be free.

  39. Mike Sloane
    Posted July 21, 2009 at 11:32 AM | Permalink | Reply

    Hi Alom,

    While not adding anything to the answer "why is science important", I'd like to thank you for such an interesting web site, and for pulling off the project so magnificently. It's a credit to you and the participants.

    Its the work of people like you and others that make science accessible that will go a long way in getting acceptance of the importance and necessity of scientific enquiry accepted.

    Brilliant, and again - thanks.

    Mike Sloane.

  40. Bianca Janssen Groesbeek
    Posted July 21, 2009 at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Hello Alom,

    I thoroughly enjoyed your film. It is inspiring, informative and entertaining. I teach science (biology) and philosophy to a diversity of students. Sometimes I teach students who up until that point have had little experience with scientific thought. It surprises me each time when these students seem to think of science as just another belief. Your film is a beautiful answer to them. So thank you.

    I plan to share it with colleagues, especially those who teach general natural sciences. This is a compulsory course in the Netherlands where all high school students get a background of physics, chemistry and biology, their impact on society and the history. I also plan to share your film with high school teachers of philosophy. They seem to be struggling with philosophy of science. I think your film may be of help.

    Bianca

  41. Fred Farrell
    Posted July 21, 2009 at 1:19 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Fantastic! More more more! I really enjoyed this, how refreshing. I hope I can contribute something of this standard one day. Congratulations.

  42. Mark Ed Jones
    Posted July 26, 2009 at 8:56 AM | Permalink | Reply

    A cracking video , liked everything about it (visuals, music, pieces to camera, message, contributors, locations....)

    Congratulations to the Wellcome Foundation on the vision to fund it.

    I think this should be useful on every training course for aspiring Science teachers.

    Surely every Science teacher should be persasive and convincing on this question?

    Rough ideas for a session for trainee teachers:

    1) Ask the sudents in groups, is Science important? Elicit ansers. Discuss.
    2) Trainees explore comments on the website and watch clips, making notes for a discussion. Allocate contributors so a variety are looked at.
    3) Get group to generate a top 5 or top ten reasons WHY science is important. Then share and discuss.
    4) TASK 1: watch video (on PC with headphones or at home...) OR watch first 5 mins of video in class & then whole video at home. ( show intro sequence, walking on coals, and students vox pop about why science is important.)
    5) Written comments on the video. Questions: Which bits did you agree with? Which bits did you disagree with? What is missing? What do you think are the best reasons?
    6) Plenary - share any key points again, group discussion.
    7) ASSIGNMENTS a) prepare an essay summarising for yourself why you believe Science is really important as a school subject. Something you can refer back to in times of need in the future! (wet/windy friday afternoons with year 9).
    b) Prepare a poster for your classroom stating and explaining why Science is important.
    c) Prepare a mission statement for the Science Department in the school prospectus or website, ie one paragraph or 4-6 bullet points , on why the Science department believes the study of science to be important.
    d) Prepare a list of 6 bullet points for Year 7 to copy into their exercise books at the start of the year : Science is important because....

    Hopefully these Science teachers will have thought about and prepared a convincing answer.

    Follow up: try discussing this with a group of real children!

  43. Tyrone Ridgway
    Posted August 21, 2009 at 8:31 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Hi Alom

    Great job on the video - you are definitely onto a good thing here. I am a new faculty at a US university and I am busy designing a new non-major science course. Could you please email me as I would like to discuss user rights etc. with the use of this material.

    Keep up the great work.

  44. Posted December 17, 2009 at 4:44 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Brilliant idea and great work!

  45. Miles Clarke
    Posted January 12, 2010 at 7:46 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Science is important, as it might just come up with the answers to where it all went wrong before we destroy ourselves; I have a scientific interest in that.
    But scientists Attenborough, Du Santoy and Dorkins' rampant public evangelical atheism does not help direct future scientists to an altruistic and empathetic future. I am not interested in their purile belief systems unless they are peer reviewed; I place them with Einstien's reluctance to accept quantum mechanics. Even the most brilliant scientist come up with nonsense; a little humility would help keep the non-scientific on board, may I site Hawking and Feynman.
    Miles Clarke.

  46. Kay
    Posted February 16, 2010 at 4:04 PM | Permalink | Reply

    I teach high school Earth Environmental Science in the United States, Weaverville, North Carolina. I loved this video. Thank you so much for making it. I always teach at the beginning of each semester the importance of science with much discussion and debate. Then I have the students write a paper with the title, "A World Without Science." It seems to be a good way to start the semester.

  47. celine Joiris
    Posted February 17, 2010 at 2:51 AM | Permalink | Reply

    Excellent film, very thoughtful and very well made; I especially appreciated the last segment which I felt focussed more on pure science. I am a sophomore studying behavioral neuroscience at Hunter College in New York City, and I stumbled upon this film looking, essentially, for justification. It's easy to explain, to others but more importantly to oneself, the value of medicine or technology, but because my interests lie squarely in the domain of pure science I've always been nagged by that fact that in all honesty, I "do" science purely to indulge my own curiosity. Moreover, I've always been bothered that neither teachers nor peers ever really address the issue of what the real value of science is. The inherent importance of science for its own sake is very hard to pin down, but I think it is something worth stopping to consider.

    I would like to see more conversation in the research community about why we what we do and how it impacts society, and more outreach between scientists and others in the community. Science is far too cloistered for its own good; I believe that we as scientists need to understand the importance of, and foster, a role as part of a community, not simply generators of random bits of knowledge. Science may be importance simply because it allows us to understand ourselves and our world, as indeed I believe it is, but that value only goes so far as the knowledge and understanding is disseminated.

    Cheers, and thanks for tackling this neglected issue!

    Celine

  48. Chwee Bock Tan
    Posted March 2, 2010 at 10:05 AM | Permalink | Reply

    Science dispels almost all unorthodox, unacceptable doctrines used by the authorities to suppress and oppress society at large, limiting their freedom and rightful place to fulfil their aspirations, realise their potentials and just to be free! Educators and stakeholders worldwide should and must continue to champion the importance of and need for science to ensure that our global community could indeed, truly advances and not held back by archaic beliefs.

  49. Steaphany Waelder
    Posted April 20, 2010 at 5:47 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Why is Science Important ?

    My answer may seem to lean on the spiritual side, but it's not. Plus, it will probably need a bit of explaination:

    Science is the study of the Universe learning the truth of itself.

    To the person reading this, you are the Universe.

    The fundamental forces which are common to every point with in the universe govern the properties of the quarks and electrons which make up the matter of your body.

    The constituent elements that make up your body were forged in the big bang and during the life and death of long past stars.

    The very same quantum probabilities and chaos that regulate the decay of an unstable isotope have also contributed to the accumulation of atomic and chemical processes that created your unique DNA and the functional structure of your brain supporting the formation of your consciousness.

    You, along with every living thing, regardless of chemical or physical complexity, is the Universe experiencing itself.

    But, you, because of your ability to abstract concepts and ideas, are the Universe learning the truth and understanding itself, This is Science.

  50. Gary Sherman
    Posted May 23, 2010 at 6:25 PM | Permalink | Reply

    The following is my adaptation from the biblical quotation “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for life”

    Science matters because, “Give a man truths, and those truths alone will comprise his knowledge. Teach a man to discover new truths, and truth will nourish his mind and spirit for a lifetime, and call the path from knowledge to wisdom into view.”

    Gary B. Sherman, MS, DVM, PhD
    National Program Leader for Veterinary Science
    USDA National Institute of Food & Agriculture

  51. imene
    Posted August 3, 2010 at 4:19 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Great video and very informative. I love the concept and I will definitely use it with my high school students in my physiology and earth science courses. I think that I will give them a survey before the video in addition to a small experiment will to make them think before watching the video.

    Thanks for the great work,
    Best
    Imene

  52. Posted August 4, 2010 at 7:30 AM | Permalink | Reply

    in the modern world, scientific research is a major activity in all developed nations,this video is very excellent.thx

  53. Andrew Bruening replied to comment from Gary Sherman
    Posted August 18, 2010 at 6:18 AM | Permalink | Reply

    Mr. Sherman,
    I have been thinking along the lines of your quote for many years, but I have never been able to articulate it as beautifully as you did here.

    I teach science and I think I just may have to put your quote on my classroom wall.

  54. Melody Perez
    Posted September 15, 2010 at 11:10 PM | Permalink | Reply

    I am 15 year old girl and this Video is really inspiring. I never really knew why science was important and to know that everything that consists of us and our world revolves around science, its very amazing. It just makes me so much more interested. Now that Ive watched this i feel that everything and anything is possible in achieving. Excellent Video!

  55. Clara Timpe
    Posted October 5, 2010 at 12:59 PM | Permalink | Reply

    I have been stuck on an assignment for two days. My task was to find the answer why is science important (te be taught and to be learnt). I listed the classical answers: Because Science is all around us, because it explains how and why we live, etc... but after watching this film one sentence burnt my mind: Science is important because is is the key to our survival as species. BRILLIANT! That's it! EUREKA!!! Thank you.

  56. olivia y
    Posted January 11, 2011 at 4:21 PM | Permalink | Reply

    that was a fantastic science video! as a student, videos that are made for educational purposes are often slow, boring, and fail to capture my attention. however, your film was captivating and simply spectacular! By listening to all the different points of view in your film, it has influenced my opinion as to why science is important. thank you!

  57. Kenisha White
    Posted June 25, 2011 at 4:36 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Mr. Alom Shaha,

    My name is Kenisha White and I am an Undergraduate Student in the United States and I am looking for a summer research project abroad for the coming summer. I saw your video and how it diligently tried to answer with sincerity the question of "Why Science Is Important?". I myself two years ago was faced with this question at the 2009 World Science Festival where I was able to understand other scientist' points-of-views and how they understand the importance of science. With that said, I just want to say thank you for that video because not only did it helped me understand why science is important, but it also provided me with that opportunity to spark lots of interests in the different fields of science and especially thinking about having some of those experiences from an international perspective.

  58. Andy Ellison
    Posted June 26, 2011 at 4:45 PM | Permalink | Reply

    I like the film, I will be showing it to my pupils and students to get their reactions. I use the phrase 'Take Nobody's Word for it' to try to explain why learning Science is important. Science constantly checks and re-checks findings. We do experiments, do students of other disciplines?

  59. nisha fleming
    Posted September 8, 2011 at 3:04 PM | Permalink | Reply

    I think the viedo peak my quriosity as to the importance of science in every day life. Science provide fact, it gives a greater understanding of how things work. It makes life easier,help solve problems, prolongs life by finding treatment to diseases. Science builds people awareness and helps them to make better choices. Society as a whole has grown intellectully because of science. It helps us to think, to ask question, which helps us to go further in reaching goals and finding new ones. Science is every where in every thing that we do.

  60. nisha fleming
    Posted September 8, 2011 at 3:28 PM | Permalink | Reply

    I think the viedo peak my curiosity as to the importance of science in every day life. Science provide fact, it gives a greater understanding of how things work. It makes life easier,help solve problems, prolongs life by finding treatment to diseases. Science builds people awareness and helps them to make better choices. Society as a whole has grown intellectully because of science. It helps us to think, to ask question, which helps us to go further in reaching goals and finding new ones. Science is every where in every thing that we do.

  61. samarth pran
    Posted October 5, 2011 at 6:54 PM | Permalink | Reply

    your final answer is super awesome and i copied it for my science homework.. and guess what............. my teacher loved it and gave me 10 merits

  62. James Frankis
    Posted November 30, 2011 at 3:57 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Thank you so much for taking the time to make this film, it is truly impressive.

  63. Posted December 15, 2011 at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Reply

    What a great idea for a project, addressing such an important question!

    I strongly believe in science education ad communication. Sadly this not always seems to be high in the agenda for the politicians and country leaders. It is really commendable that you embarked on production of such a film. I wonder if I could share it on my website ( I run a science tutoring agency with the aim of becoming a social enterprise and promoting science in disadvantaged communities in Scotland)?

    Many thanks - Maggie ( @EdScienceTutors on twitter)

  64. la-shelley mccurdy
    Posted January 28, 2012 at 9:42 PM | Permalink | Reply

    science is important because hope is provided for individuals with deseaes because their deseases can be cured. Science also allows us to speak with our friends and family anyway in the word

  65. Allen Maxwell
    Posted March 27, 2012 at 2:35 AM | Permalink | Reply

    Alom & "Why is Science Important" team,
    I have to say that the video I just watched was one of the most satisfying, intellectually astute, well directed, informative, and inspiring videos I have ever watched. I am a 16 year old senior and was asked to write an essay about science. I already had my own idea of what I was going to ask formulated, but I wanted to see what Google had to say about science, and that's when I came across this website, which I honestly did not believe would be as great as it turned out to be. So I started watching the video, 10 minutes in and I didn't want to stop, but I didn't want to use the opinions of any of your contributors as my own so I paused it, went on to finish my essay, turned it in so there would be no chance of copyright and went on to finish my essay, to my surprise many of the reasons I wrote science was important were mentioned in the video. Anyways, I honestly think this video should be showed on the science channel, natgeo, or discovery it was AMAZING. I thank you and the whole team for taking the time to make such a fantastic film.

  66. Stella
    Posted May 10, 2012 at 2:03 AM | Permalink | Reply

    Awesome work loved it!

  67. Paula
    Posted June 4, 2012 at 6:08 PM | Permalink | Reply

    This film is really good it opens your eyes to the lengths and depths that scientist in each of their fields go to to discover and or solve alot of what we the non science fans take for granted.

    You wake, sleep and go about your life on a daily basis, and many of us never really take into consideration how life inside out really works. It's clear that science has alot to do with the life we live and enjoy today and my view is that if it wasnt for the love and dedication of all these scientist that we may have been stuck in ice age.

  68. Thariq Salim
    Posted September 3, 2012 at 7:30 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Science is an interesting insight of every part of life.... Physical which we can see, hear, touch, smell. Mental where it makes us think... emotional its breath taking... social its part of our everyday life and spiritual as it makes us think that there are just more to life than being existing...

  69. Posted November 11, 2012 at 10:37 AM | Permalink | Reply

    Thanks fantastic science video! as a student, videos that are made for educational purposes are often slow, boring, and fail to capture my attention

  70. Posted December 6, 2012 at 7:15 AM | Permalink | Reply

    I think the outreach of science is not important...it's URGENT! so congratulations for doing such a good.......

  71. Posted December 12, 2012 at 8:14 AM | Permalink | Reply

    I think your film is really marvellous and manages to do what so many academics fail to achieve: present the arguments without simplifying them, with sufficient detail and depth...

  72. Kyle Gray
    Posted January 7, 2013 at 10:02 PM | Permalink | Reply

    Great website. I may contribute in the future. One thing I would encourage you to keep in mind...Don't forget about Geology, earth Science, or Geoscience. I note that at the 1:12 mark in the film you list Biology, Chemistry, and Physics but do not mention any type of geoscience. I would encourage you to include this fourth branch of science.

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