If you’re aiming to glean insights on how animals retain and use knowledge, you might think staring at a pulsating yellow splat on a dead log isn’t very productive. These are slime moulds, often avoided amorphous, brainless blobs. For biologist, Audrey Dussutour, researching primitive slimes has led to surprising discoveries about the evolution of learning and collective behaviour that she’s been pondering her whole life.
This film was submitted to the SCINEMA 2021 International Science Film Festival and was selected to feature in our Nature and School categories. It also achieved the Best Short Film award at the festival. The filmmaker has kindly allowed us to continue to show the film beyond the festival. Watch it below and download the accompanying educational resource for fun activities to use with your students.
Video Length: 10:14 mins
Film Description
If you’re aiming to glean insights on how animals retain and use knowledge, you might think staring at a pulsating yellow splat on a dead log isn’t very productive. These are slime moulds, often avoided amorphous, brainless blobs. For biologist, Audrey Dussutour, researching primitive slimes has led to surprising discoveries about the evolution of learning and collective behaviour that she’s been pondering her whole life.
Lesson Inspiration
This film shows students how behaviours of single-cellular organisms, like slime mould, can be very similar to human behaviour. As we learn about a researcher of slime mould in this film, we find out about the lesser-known careers in science, their work and the skills they use.
Useful when:
Teaching about cells and the behaviour of living things. This film is also useful to highlight interesting careers in STEM.
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Year: 8
Topics:
Biological Sciences – Cells
Physical Sciences – Energy
Additional – Critical and Creative Thinking, Information and Communication Technology, Ethical Understanding.
Concepts (South Australia):
Biological Sciences – Form and Function
Physical Sciences – Energy
Each resource is mapped to the Australian National Curriculum and contains hands-on activities for your students. Designed to engage and inspire, these resources demonstrate STEM careers and skills to your students, encouraging them to be curious thinkers, problem-solvers and contributing citizens within society.
