Movies can be a fun way to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Here are ten awesome films that show how important STEM skills are, both in school and in the real world.
In “The Lego Movie,” you’ll find a funny story about saving the world that will make you want to build and create. It’s full of engineering ideas and solutions that are both clever and entertaining.
“Big Hero 6” introduces Baymax, a friendly healthcare robot. The movie follows a 14-year-old genius who invents microbots and teams up with friends to use their science skills against a tricky villain. It’s a great mix of adventure and technology.
This documentary, “Dream Big,” is all about the amazing projects engineers are working on, including many women engineers. It shows how these dreamers are shaping our future with their incredible designs.
“Hidden Figures” tells the true story of African-American women working at NASA. It highlights their crucial contributions to space exploration and reminds us that human skills are essential, even as technology advances.
“Underwater Dreams” is an inspiring film about a group of teens from low-income backgrounds who enter a robotics competition. They surprise everyone by beating teams from big universities, proving that determination and teamwork can lead to success.
“Apollo 13” is a classic tale about a NASA mission that faced serious technical problems. The movie showcases the astronauts’ innovative solutions as they worked to safely return to Earth, making it a thrilling watch.
“Interstellar” is a gripping science fiction film that explores space travel and the future of humanity. While it includes some fictional elements, it also features real scientific concepts that make it both exciting and educational.
In “The Martian,” an astronaut is stranded on Mars and must use his scientific knowledge to survive. This sci-fi thriller is packed with real-life problem-solving and scientific principles.
“If You Build It” follows ten high school students who design and construct a farmers’ market for their community. This documentary shows how young people can make a positive impact through creativity and teamwork.
“The Imitation Game” is a historical drama about cryptologists and mathematicians working to crack the German Enigma code during World War II. It highlights the power of math and logic in solving complex problems.
These films are not only entertaining but also educational, offering a glimpse into the exciting world of STEM. For more ideas on how to use these movies in learning, check out resources from Common Sense Education.
After watching “The Lego Movie,” challenge yourself to design and build a unique Lego structure. Think about the engineering principles you observed in the movie and try to incorporate them into your creation. Share your design with the class and explain the engineering concepts you used.
Inspired by “Big Hero 6,” brainstorm and sketch your own healthcare robot. Consider what tasks it would perform and how it would help people. Present your robot design to the class, explaining the technology and science behind its functions.
After watching “Dream Big: Engineering Our World,” choose a female engineer featured in the documentary or another influential woman in engineering. Research her contributions and create a short presentation to share with the class, highlighting how her work impacts the world.
Inspired by “Apollo 13,” work in groups to simulate a NASA mission. Assign roles such as astronauts, engineers, and mission control. Use problem-solving skills to tackle unexpected challenges during your mission. Reflect on the experience and discuss what you learned about teamwork and innovation.
After watching “The Martian,” imagine you are stranded on Mars. Create a survival plan using scientific principles and problem-solving skills demonstrated in the movie. Present your plan to the class, explaining how you would use available resources to stay alive until rescue.
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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**NARRATOR:** Here are ten great films that showcase essential STEM skills for school and beyond.
**Number one, “The Lego Movie.”** This hilarious save-the-world tale appeals to the builder in all of us, and engineering solutions abound.
**NARRATOR:**
**Number two, “Big Hero 6.”** “Hello, I am Baymax, your personal healthcare companion.” In this Disney adaptation, a 14-year-old genius invents special microbots and joins a group of heroes who use their science strengths to confront a crafty villain.
**NARRATOR:**
**Number three, “Dream Big: Engineering Our World.”** “Meet the next generation of dreamers who will shape our future.” This documentary highlights engineers, many of whom are women, and the amazing projects they are designing.
**NARRATOR:**
**Number four, “Hidden Figures.”** “Yes, they let women do some things at NASA.” This inspiring true story of African-American women at NASA shines a light on the need for human input, even as technology continues to advance.
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**Number five, “Underwater Dreams.”** “No matter what background you come from or where you are, you can do what you set your mind to do.” Full of STEM inspiration, this feel-good film is about a group of lower-income teens who enter a robotics competition and end up beating some big-name university teams.
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**Number six, “Apollo 13.”** “Say again, please? Houston, we have a problem.” This classic story about the NASA spacecraft highlights the technical issues the astronauts faced and the innovative solutions they inspired while attempting to land on the moon.
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**Number seven, “Interstellar.”** “You might have to decide between seeing your children again and the future of the human race.” While some of the film veers into science fiction, there’s enough real science in this edge-of-your-seat thriller to make it worth your time.
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**Number eight, “The Martian.”** “I’m still alive. Surprise!” This sci-fi space thriller follows an astronaut who is stranded on Mars and has to problem-solve his way to safety using real scientific principles.
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**Number nine, “If You Build It.”** “I’m not leaving because I want to leave. I’m leaving because there’s nothing to keep me here.” Want to inspire your students to make a difference? This documentary follows ten high schoolers who design and build a farmers’ market for their community.
**NARRATOR:**
**And number ten, “The Imitation Game.”** “If you speak a word of what I’m about to show you, you will be executed for high treason.” Cryptologists and mathematicians are front-and-center in this historical drama about an attempt to crack the German Enigma code during World War II.
**NARRATOR:** “Am I a war hero? Am I a criminal? You get to judge.” For tips on how to use these films in your classroom, visit us at Common Sense Education.
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This version removes any inappropriate or potentially offensive language while maintaining the essence of the original transcript.
Movies – A form of entertainment that uses moving images to tell a story, often used in STEM education to illustrate scientific concepts or engineering principles. – In our science class, we watched movies about space exploration to better understand the challenges of engineering spacecraft.
Science – The study of the natural world through observation and experimentation, forming the basis for many engineering principles. – Science helps us understand the laws of physics, which are crucial for designing safe bridges.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry and engineering. – Using the latest technology, engineers can create more efficient renewable energy systems.
Engineering – The application of scientific and mathematical principles to design and build structures, machines, and systems. – In our engineering project, we designed a model bridge that could hold a significant amount of weight.
Math – The study of numbers, quantities, and shapes, which is essential for solving engineering problems. – We used math to calculate the amount of materials needed for our engineering project.
Skills – The abilities and expertise needed to perform tasks, often developed through practice and education in STEM fields. – Developing coding skills is important for students interested in technology and engineering careers.
Creativity – The use of imagination or original ideas to solve problems, often leading to innovative engineering solutions. – Creativity is crucial when engineers design new products that meet unique needs.
Teamwork – The combined effort of a group to achieve a common goal, essential in engineering projects where collaboration is key. – Our engineering team used teamwork to successfully complete the robotics challenge.
Problems – Challenges or obstacles that require solutions, often encountered in engineering and scientific research. – Engineers face problems like structural weaknesses, which they must solve to ensure safety.
Solutions – Answers or methods for solving problems, often developed through engineering and scientific processes. – Our team brainstormed several solutions to improve the efficiency of our solar-powered car.
