Photo Animation Brings Scientists Back to Life in the Classroom

Abstract

In biology textbooks and in lecture slides, it is customary to describe the significance of a historical scientific experiment alongside a still photograph of the scientist who performed the work. This method communicates information about the scientists' works, but can be a dry method to describe an exciting and dynamic historical individual. I have developed a method to animate still photographs and engravings of historical scientists and narrate them in the first person. This method is rapid, inexpensive, and does not require more than average technical ability. The animated historical scientists directly address the students to educate them about their own personal lives, struggles, and achievements.