Awesome Science video series: Explore Yosemite and Zion National Parks, Explore Mount St. Helens, and Explore John Day Fossil Beds (Critique)

713438102184
$14.99

Critique of the Awesome Science video:
Explore Yosemite and Zion National Parks
This DVD is full of information about the amazing beauty of both Yosemite National Park and Zion National Park.  Geologic phenomena are discussed and the evolutionary and creationist viewpoints are clearly contrasted.  The accompanying study guide says it best:  “Secular scientists have over 60 different explanations for how the many ice ages may have formed, but astute researchers recognize that the conditions right after the global Flood are the best model to explain the one, major Ice Age.”

Although the information is great, and probably best suited to high school students, the young home-schooled narrator, Noah Justice, tends to put off his audience.  He talks constantly at such a high level of energy, emphasizing every word with no real break, that the audience feels it is being “shouted” at.  He also seems a bit young and his manner tends to alienate the older students.  I showed this video to my 9th graders and they said that the video seemed longer than 30 minutes. 

Critique of the Awesome Science video:
Explore Mount St. Helens
The study guide to this video tells its readers:  “It doesn’t take millions of years to form canyons, stratified layers, and petrified forests.  It can happen in only days, weeks and months, as we saw with the massive eruption of Mount St. Helens.”  This video very capably illustrates what a wonderful opportunity the eruption of Mount St. Helens was to scientists who wanted to observe first hand the forming of fossil fuels and the carving of canyons.   Again, the evolutionary and creationist models were clearly contrasted. 

Although the information is helpful, and probably best suited to high school students, the young home-schooled narrator, Noah Justice, tends to put off his audience.  He talks constantly at such a high level of energy, emphasizing every word with no real break, that the audience feels it is being “shouted” at.  He also seems a bit young and his manner tends to alienate the older students. But if you can get past the narrator, the video is well worth watching.

Critique of the Awesome Science video:
Explore John Day Fossil Beds
The study guide to this video tells its readers:  “Secular scientists say that thousands of feet of basalt and ash layers, along with the erosion which carved them out, took many millions of years to form.  As we look at the evidence, another explanation is possible – they were laid down and carved quickly as a result of the global Flood.”  What the audience will see are stunning rock layers in eastern Oregon and what they will hear is a clear explanation of the evolutionary vs. creationist viewpoints of how these beautiful monuments were formed.

Although the information is excellent, and probably best suited to high school students, the young home-schooled narrator, Noah Justice, tends to put off his audience.  He talks constantly at such a high level of energy, emphasizing every word with no real break, that the audience feels it is being “shouted” at.  He also seems a bit young and his manner tends to alienate the older students. But if you can get past the narrator, the video is well work watching.

Marty Andersen
Science Teacher, Alamance Christian School

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of each video was provided by New Leaf Publishing Group in exchange for our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer.