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Generation Genius
Pros: Each video is paired with high-quality lesson materials.
Cons: Some lessons miss opportunities to let students drive the investigation.
Bottom Line: NGSS-aligned science lessons include videos, experiments, and quizzes.
Generation Genius is best used when teachers take advantage of the lessons that go along with the videos. While the videos are helpful, the lessons actually allow students to engage in the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices. For example, in the video about the moon and its phases, there are key places to stop and engage in class discussion. The lessons also encourage collaboration if kids do one of the investigations together. However, some of the lessons direct students to check to see if they have the "correct" answer. The new NGSS vision of science instruction involves less focus on teachers posing questions with only one right answer. Instead, ask kids to focus on the strength of the evidence used to support claims and then modify models to create one class consensus model.
And, to encourage more student-generated discussion and involvement, have some more open-ended questions ready to spark discussion and help kids make connections. For instance, use the beginning of the video as a hook, and pause along the way to ask questions and get student responses. Instead of doing the same experiment featured in the video, do a different one exploring the same concept so that students can explore it from different angles. See if students can apply what they've learned more broadly and come up with more real-life applications.
Generation Genius is a comprehensive set of science videos and lessons made in partnership with the National Science Teachers Association. The resources align with the Next Generation Science Standards for grades K-5, with recent additions for grades 6-8. Each video has accompanying lesson plans, science investigations, and quizzes.
The lessons cover everything from life sciences to basic physics, and the videos are live-action with kid actors and Dr. Jeff (Dr. Jeff Vinokur), who's gained some fame from television appearances and school demonstrations. In terms of the lesson specifics, one first grade topic features a video where sound vibrations splash paint and make art. Teachers can project before and after video questions and have kids read or listen to information on their own or as a class. Then, kids conduct their own investigation, using a speaker to make sprinkles bounce around. Additional activities guide kids to make their own kazoo that uses vibrations to make sounds. The lesson closes with a Kahoot assessment or a paper exit ticket.
Generation Genius lesson plans adhere closely to the disciplinary core ideas in NGSS. They follow the 5E model, engaging students by asking questions like "What shape is the moon?" and "Why does it change shape?" The videos showcase a diverse cast of characters conducting scientific investigations, and then students engage in their own investigation. Like Mystery Science, Generation Genius provides activities that are fun and age-appropriate, though some of the videos may be a bit long for the K-2 range, and middle school students might roll their eyes at some of Dr. Jeff's antics. Though the lessons for grades 6-8 have a different introduction, and the kid actors aren't too saccharine, it might appeal even more to tweens if the overall tone was a bit more mature.
And while each element of the lessons covers the necessary ground to model asking the right questions, investigating, and discovering answers, there are limited opportunities for students to ask their own questions or design investigations. It would be great if some of the discussion questions were a bit more open-ended, helped kids make connections, or truly sparked a discussion. More student-led curiosity and exploration is left to the teacher. As a means to show how fun science can be and how it's relevant to our lives, Generation Genius has a lot to offer.
Learning Rating
Very helpful as a supplement to a comprehensive curriculum or as a quick sub plan.
A paid subscription gets you all the goodies. It would be best for teachers if they can get the school to front the cost for a school wide account. Be wary though, if you sign up for it as an individual, DON'T use your work email to set up the account. If you change districts and don't remember to cancel your subscription, you won't have access to your account anymore and the automatic subscription fee will be charged to your bank anyway. I had to ask for a refund because this happened to me. Unfortunately after posting a refund to me, the transaction didn't go through. Now I have essentially lost money on a subscription I can't use. You have to be careful to set up your own reminders to cancel a subscription so you don't lose your hard earned money.
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