In the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), phenomena are central to teaching and learning because they provide authentic, real-world contexts that drive student inquiry. A phenomenon is an observable event—such as the phases of the moon, the melting of ice, or the spread of disease—that students are motivated to explain using scientific concepts and practices. By anchoring instruction in phenomena, teachers shift the focus from memorizing facts to developing a deeper understanding of how and why things happen in the natural world. This approach encourages students to ask questions, construct explanations, and apply crosscutting concepts across different scientific domains. Ultimately, using phenomena helps students see science as a process of discovery and sense-making, making their learning more coherent, engaging, and relevant to their everyday lives.
Slides : What is a phenomenon?
Video: Phenomena and Explanation [5:27]
What are phenomena?
How and Why is NGSS phenomena-based instruction?
Analyze recent images and movies taken by your instructor. Additional images.
What do you notice? (observations)
What do you wonder? (questions that arise)
What patterns or changes do you see? (time, motion, color, size, shape, etc.)
What might be causing what you see? (initial explanation)
What scientific concept could help explain this? (connection to disciplinary core ideas)
What variables could affect this phenomenon? (SEP: planning investigations)
How could you test one of your ideas? (designing an investigation)
What data would you need to collect to understand this better?
What real-world examples are similar to this phenomenon? (connecting to broader contexts)
How could you explain this phenomenon to someone younger or less experienced? (SEP: communicating information)
Upload three or more phenomena you have captured on your phone recently.
Analyze these photos using the same prompts as above.
How can you record phenomena more deliberately and effectively
To intentionally record phenomena using just a phone, you can choose techniques based on the type of event: use the slow-motion mode to capture fast actions like splashes or sparks, the time-lapse feature to condense slow processes such as sunsets or traffic flow, and night mode or long-exposure apps for low-light events like star trails or lightning; attach clip-on macro lenses to study tiny details, or use thermal/infrared camera attachments (if supported) to visualize heat patterns; filters and editing apps can enhance visibility, and built-in microphones or sound-recording apps can capture vibrations or unusual audio cues—together turning an ordinary phone into a versatile tool for documenting diverse phenomena.
Record two or more phenomena and answer the questions listed above.
Videographic techniques play a vital role in capturing scientific phenomena by allowing researchers to observe, analyze, and communicate processes that may be too fast, too slow, or too complex for the naked eye. High-speed videography, for example, makes it possible to study rapid events like chemical reactions, fluid dynamics, or animal movement in great detail by slowing them down for analysis. Time-lapse videography, on the other hand, compresses long-duration processes such as plant growth, crystal formation, or weather patterns into accessible sequences. Additionally, techniques like microscopy videography and infrared imaging extend our ability to visualize microscopic or invisible processes, while computer-enhanced imaging helps in extracting quantitative data. Together, these methods not only improve scientific understanding but also provide compelling visual documentation that aids in education and public communication of science.
Create a collaborative slideshow on videographic techniques for capturing phenomena