MythBusters: Busting Myths with Science!

OVER 36 WEEKS OF NEW MATERIAL! Would you consider yourself a skeptic? Do you like to put facts to the test? Do you love to build, create and experiment? If you answered yes to these questions, then MythBusters is the class for you! In this class, Students will learn by engaging in research over interesting scientific and historical topics, project based learning, experimentation, and group dialogue. Each week we will focus on a new topic based on a MythBusters episode. Each topic will follow the same weekly schedule. Students have the opportunity to participate in optional experiments outside of class each week. Please consult the supply list if you student is interested in completing the experiment. Students are not required to watch the MythBusters episodes. 

Some awesome topics include: 
- "Flu Fiction": How quickly can sneezes and snot contaminate a room? Learn about the spread of germs, diseases, viruses and how to prevent contamination!
 
-"Sinking Titanic": Were passengers sucked in a vortex when the titanic sank? Learn about vortexes and the titanic. 

- "Survival and Duct Tape Island" - Could you survive on a deserted island with only duct tape? Learn about cool duct tape tools and survival skills.

- "Reflexes and Ninjas" - Does a ninja have fast enough reflexes to catch an arrow? Learn about ninjas and your reflexes! 

-  "Flight and Jetpacks" - is it possible to build a jetpack at home with plans purchased on the internet? Learn about the principles of flight, new flying devices and jetpacks. 

- "Flotation and Escape from Alcatraz" - Did 3 prisoners really manage to escape the unescapable prison of Alcatraz? Learn about Alcatraz, ocean currents and flotation, and one super daring escape attempt!

- "Catapults" - Is it possible to turn a boom lift into a catapult? Learn about boom lifts, catapults and ancient castle defenses!

- "Mind Tricks" - Is it possible to control someone using mind tricks and mind control devices purchased on the internet? Learn about artificial intelligence and mind tricks.

- "Air Resistance" - Would dropping a penny off the Empire State Building kill someone if it hit them in the head? Learn about air resistance, the tallest buildings in the world, and falling elevators.

- "Rocketmen": Can unconventional fuel sources (gummy bears) actually launch a rocket? Learn about rockets and rocket fuel. 

- "Steam Cannon": Was Archimedes able to create a powerful cannon that operated using only fire and water? Learn about Archimedes, different types of projectiles and steam powered devices.

- "Swimming in Syrup": Can a person swim faster in water or syrup? Learn about density and how it effects liquids and solids! 

- "Duct Tape Hour": Can you make a boat completely out of duct tape? Learn about duct tape, the construction and design of boats and flotation. 

- "Archimedes Death Ray": Was Archimedes able to create a super powered heat ray using only the sun and glass? Learn about Archimedes, Roman ships, and Concave vs. Convex lenses in the sun. 

- "Earthquake Machine": Did Nikola Tesla invent a machine capable of causing earthquakes? Learn about Nikola Tesla, plate tectonics, earthquakes and resonance. 

- "Pirate Eye Patch": Does wearing an eyepatch actually improve night vision? Learn about vision and how we see in the dark. 

- "Cliff Hanger": Is it possible to jump from a falling bridge and pulling yourself to safety? Learn about the physics of jumping and falling, grip strength, and the blockbuster classic: "Cliffhanger".

- "101 Uses of Coke": Can coke really clean metals? Dissolve a steak? Be used to clean clothes? Learn about the chemistry of America's favorite soda!

- "Salsa Escape": Can salsa actually help you escape prison? Learn about the pH scale, acids and bases and corrosion in this spicy prison escape!

- "JATO Rocket Car": Could strapping a rocket booster to the top of a car allow it to take flight? Learn about JATO rockets, center or gravity and balance!

- "Exploding Jawbreaker": Does heating up a jawbreaker lead to explosions and third degree burns? Learn about heat differential, pressure and explosive chemical combos.

- "Killer Quicksand": Is it possible to actually sink to your death in quicksand? Learn about how quicksand develops, how to escape it, and non-newtonian solutions.

- "Hail Hijinx": Could hail stones actually sink a small boat? Learn about how hail forms, hail speeds, accumulation and condensation nuclei. 

- "Video Game Special": Can you actually play fruit ninja in real life? Learn about the physics of fruit ninja, gravity and katanas. 

- "Try this at Home": Can we create elephant toothpaste at home? Test your favorite Myth or conduct your favorite science experiment. Be ready to share your results with the class!

... and more!

Weekly Schedule:
Day 1: Research Day. Students will gain background knowledge useful in studying our myth through research, dialogue and activities.
Day 2: Experiment Day. Students will experiment or test background knowledge in a predetermined activity. 
Day 3: Result Day. We will wrap up our research and finish our myth.