Punya Mishra’s Web whatnmnmn

Rainbows in my backyard was brought to my attention this past school year. One of my students told me about it and was vehement that I show it because it related to light (which we were studying). Needless to say my students got a big laugh about it…I of course asked what was actually going on and the students were able to reply with correct answers (whew!).
I have done this before with my biology students when discussing matter cycling (cell respiration and photosynthesis). I use a very popular Harvard video which asks graduates how a seed became a log (where did all that mass come from?).I stop it after each clip and my students are all aghast at the graduates answers. My favorite quote

Interviewer: “what would you say if I told you the mass came from carbon dioxide?”

Student response: I would think that is strange since carbon is not a major part of what I remember of biochemistry.

It is sad to make fun of these people- but its such a great learning tool. Kids love laughing at others misconceptions. I also believe that it clears up some understanding for other students in the classroom.

For the record their are 4 primary elements involved in all life CHON…with C being the prinicple player in carbohydrates, fats and proteins (I should not leave out that we are all C based life forms).