Eye of the Cyclops: Adventures in Scientific Exploration DVD 2004
Distributed by BioMEDIA Associates, PO Box 1234, Beaufort, SC 29901-1234; 877-661-5355
Produced by Eric Robert Russell and Bruce J. Russell
Director n/a
DVD, color, Requires computer with DVD-ROM drive, Adobe Reader 4.0 or later, Windows ’98, Windows XP or Macintosh OS9.2 through OS X
Jr. High
Biology, Science, Environmental Studies
Date Entered: 11/19/2004
Reviewed by Barbara Butler, University of Oregon Institute of Marine BiologyThis animated DVD is an interactive program designed to promote inquiry within the classroom and builds on the Eye of the Cyclops video series available from BioMEDIA Associates. The Cyclops is a microscopic submarine patterned after a copepod and is staffed by a scientific crew. In four modules (Pond, Stream, Forest and Backyard) the Cyclops crew experience different adventures in which they make scientific discoveries (Open Water, Weedy Shallows, Bottom Ooze, Down the Rapids, Over the falls, Living Humous, Rotting Log, Plant Minders and Earth Movers). Each of the four modules contains an exploration journal and instructors may want to preview this before using it in a class setting as the journal for Pond Explorations differs significantly from the journals for the other modules. The DVD contains the Cyclops Technical Manual, detailed teaching guides, additional activities and correlations to the National Science Standards.
The action-based animation will appeal to a young audience and is an innovative teaching tool. The science behind the narrative is not always explained and the level of assumed background knowledge varies between segments, so teachers will need to supplement the DVD with the teaching guides and journals for each module. Eye of the Cyclops: Adventures in Scientific Exploration is recommended for school libraries already using the Eye of the Cyclops video series and for young junior-high audiences.