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Subscribe to RSSBen Ames' Flame Challenge animation goes to the gates of hell to explain a flame.
What is a flame? Scientists were challenged to explain the concept in terms an 11-year-old could understand, and a grad student specializing in quantum physics has taken the prize for a cartoon that's as entertaining as it is educational.
After sifting through more than 800 entries from 31 countries, organizers of the Flame Challenge announced on Saturday that the winner is Ben Ames, a 31-year-old Missouri-born researcher studying quantum optics at the University of Innsbruck in Austria. And if this physics thing doesn't work out, Ames can always fall back on his obvious skills as an animator/writer/musician.
"When I learned about this wonderful contest, I had finally found a project where I could put all of my interests to use," Ames, a graduate of the University of Utah, told The Salt Lake Tribune.
The contest was the brainchild by Alan Alda, an actor who's best-known as the star of the long-running "M-A-S-H" sitcom and has gone on to become the host of science-rich programs such as "Scientific American Frontiers." In a Science editorial published three months ago, Alda reflected on the difficulties that some teachers have when they try to communicate scientific concepts in terms that kids can understand.
He recalled an exchange he had with a teacher at the age of 11. "What's a flame?" the young Alda asked. The teacher replied simply and unsatisfyingly: "It's oxidation."
"That was a discouraging moment for me personally, but decades later I see the failure to communicate science with clarity as far more serious for society," Alda wrote. So, in cooperation with Stony Brook University's Center for Communicating Science, Alda set up the Flame Challenge to have scientists answer his schoolboy question as best they could. The twist was that the primary judging would be done by thousands of 11-year-olds across the country.
Scientists sent in poems, essays, songs, videos and graphics to define a flame. Any of the entries from the contest's five finalists would do the trick, but Ames' seven-minute animation — starring a long-bearded prisoner, a scientist and a happy little devil in Hades — was the standout.
The lesson is summarized in Ames' original song, featured at the end of the clip: "The fuel loses mass, and turns to a gas," he sings. "Before the next change is through, some atoms shine blue. When the process is complete, it gives off heat. Extra carbon will glow, red, orange, yellow."
Pretty hard to beat that, don't you think? For his efforts, Ames won a flame-shaped trophy, a T-shirt and a trip to the World Science Festival in New York, where the winner was announced.
Now the Flame Challenge is asking 10- to 12-year-olds to suggest the next scientific concept to explain. What questions would you put on the list? Even if you're not an 11-year-old, feel free to pass along your suggestions as comments below, and we'll try to get them to the right folks at the Center for Communicating Science.
More about communicating science:
- Easy answers to kids' most burning questions
- Experiment sheds light on flames in space
- Ph.D. dance-off makes science sexy
- Scientific tales that take the prize
- Must-see science videos of 2011
Alan Boyle is msnbc.com's science editor. Connect with the Cosmic Log community by "liking" the log's Facebook page, following @b0yle on Twitter and adding the Cosmic Log page to your Google+ presence. You can also check out "The Case for Pluto," my book about the controversial dwarf planet and the search for new worlds.
Leave a Comment:
My Question: What is the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything? ;p
well, 42 of course
Great explanation and fun video!
My question: What is a parallel universe?
I need to rephrase my question because a parallel universe is just a theory, speculation, etc.
Ok. If there was a parallel universe, how would you explain its existence?
Hey Darrah ....
I like the last sentence from this little piece ....
Parallel universe (fiction)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality. While the terms "parallel universe" and "alternative reality" are generally synonymous and can be used interchangeably in most cases, there is sometimes an additional connotation implied with the term "alternative reality" that implies that the reality is a variant of our own. The term "parallel universe" is more general, without any connotations implying a relationship, or lack of relationship, with our own universe. A universe where the very laws of nature are different – for example, one in which there are no relativistic limitations and the speed of light can be exceeded – would in general count as a parallel universe but not an alternative reality. The correct quantum mechanical definition of parallel universes is "universes that are separated from each other by a single quantum event." ....
Hi, Ben.
Great interpretation to say the least and you're right about the last sentence. I would just make it an easy challenge on the scientific minds and have them stick to "parallel universe"- and make it easy on myself in understanding their answer. lol
But no matter how it plays out, it will make sense because mathematics makes sense (even though I don't understand it after a certain point.) I'm sure an 11 or 12 yr. old would understand it. One thing about scientists is that they make science too difficult for the average person to understand. you know, keep it simple, s.
I think your right ....
Everyone could use an easy quick interpretation or explanation of some science topics ....
That's why this flaming video received an award ....
Keeping it simple , can really help sometimes .... : )
Yeah Mr. Ames did an amazing job! He didn't win any money though? I mean really!
My question: how does gravity work?
Gravity, is a natural phenomenon by which physical bodies attract with a force proportional to their masses and distances apart...
That's a description/definition, not an explanation.
But that's okay, because no one really has a complete explanation of gravity, at this time...
Ben Ames did a great job. I enjoyed it.
This is a hot topic ....
And a flaming debated contest ....
Ben Ames' must have felt good that all the other entries didn't hold a candle to his winning one .... "LOL"
Quantum Optics ....
Chemiluminescence ....
Thanks Alan Alda and Ben Ames' , good job ....
I hope that I don't find myself singing that song though .... "LOL"
I noticed the word "pyromaniac" wasn't used. They sure could explain and all the while having the burning light of desire in their eyes. I don't know for sure though since I don't play with matches.
Just think if the video had this for background music.
Disco Inferno - The Trammps
"LOL"
You're good Darrah ....
I do give Ben Ames' credit for originality in the making of his own music for his video ....
I think I would prefer either ....
Fire , by Jimi Hendrix ....
Or ....
There's a fire in the house , by Steve Vai ....
And I'll throw in , Play with fire , by The Rolling Stones ....
Have fun ....
Great minds think alike! lol
I couldn't get this out of my head all night.
"Burning, burning, burn the motha down." lol
Eleven year olds wouldn't realize that the effect of sodium on the color of the flame is missing. The flames of a gas stove are not so yellow.
I love the video. The depth of it is great and it builds the understanding so well.
My question would be: Which weighs more a cubic meter of dry air or a cubic meter of wet air and what's the role it plays in wind and storms?
95% of kids get this answer wrong and I suspect most adults do, too.
Which weighs more .... ??
A towel ....
Or a wet towel .... ??
I loved the video! It built the understanding so well and had just enough humor to help keep the interest.
If I could be so bold to propose a question for the future.
Which weighs more a cubic meter of dry air or a cubic meter of wet air and what role does it play in wind and storms?
Over 95% of kids get this wrong and I bet the majority of adults do, too.
,,, How can I delete this?
Close your eyes ....
your funny and apparently very intelligent. your picture is as if your peeking out at reality from your hunting hide....
ben, you're funny and apparently very intelligent. your picture looks like your peeking out at reality from your hunting blind. darrah looks like an artsy cutie. its been fun seeing your back & forth.
Thanks, although it's not really me, I'll still take the complement. :-)
I don't know who the woman is in the avatar but I found her on a free avatar site. I think she's an image of a fashion doll or mannequin. Works for me. lol