What it’s all about

As a scientist, I often find myself trying to understand the science behind what I am observing, and as a science teacher, I try to find interesting ways to transmit this curiosity about the world around me to learners, writes Alessio Bernardelli.

Now, with people carrying a small computer in their pockets in the form of smartphones, it is even easier to capture these moments of scientific insight in our everyday lives.

I created a Pinterest board called “Science in my holiday”. Through the @tesScience Twitter account, I invited followers to share holiday photos that featured some kind of science, along with a scientific description of what they had captured. We ended up with 127 fabulous photos.

The winner (pictured top) was taken by Neal Gupta and shows his daughter after she climbed into the rooftop box of his car and was electrostatically charged by friction. Second and third prizes (pictured bottom) went to Jay Hurry for his photo of the shadows cast by his body and those of his children at sunset, and Thespina Coombe for her picture of the Epidavros ancient Greek theatre.

All three winners have photographs with explanations that would make excellent points for discussion in science lessons. They could also be used as lesson starters or to develop teaching resources.

What else?

You could set up a similar challenge with your classes. Learners could post a “science” photo on their Pinterest board each day for a week, with a description of what science they think is happening. Perhaps give them a specific topic.

All 127 entries and their explanations are on the Pinterest board: pinterest.comtessciencescience-in-my-holidays.