1. Time Will Tell: Using Time Lapse Photography and Digital Storytelling in Science
Roger Pence, MA Ed. Benicia Middle School
California STEM Symposium, Anaheim, CA 2016
Wiki resources:

2. Time-lapse vs. Stop Action Photography
Time-lapse aims to show slow-moving events quickly
Examples: flowers blooming, clouds passing, decomposition, etc.
Stop-action aims to “freeze” a moment in time for accurate and keen observation
Examples: a bullet from a gun, an explosion, pollen bursting from a flower, etc.
Slow-motion aims to “slow” the movement of something down for observation

3. Guiding Questions in Activity Design
Why is it useful in observation?
Time-frames and the observer
How can it be used to research a phenomenon?
Allows changes to be seen in “real time”
Why Narration?
Power of the “explaining voice”; learning through verbalization

4. Some sample ideas… erosion ants clouds water cycle studies Shadows
Biological processes like mold, metamorphosis, etc.

5. Some story ideas to tell in time-lapse
chemistry of change
physical processes
chemical reactions
motion
density settling
entropy

6. What are the Learning Goals?
Students will be able to:
Accurately and keenly observe a slowly unfolding event and record those observations
Use digital technology to photograph the event so as to compress the real-time unfolding into seconds of time
Research the underlying reasons for why we see what we see
Write an accompanying narrative script describing the changes observed and why they occur
Use video editing program to record live voice narration that describes the time-lapse video
Produce a final, sharable version

7. How are time-lapse stories constructed?
A suitable event is chosen (look for interest, photographic potential)
Practice photographing the event
Choice of suitable interval to end up with discreet shots (every 5 minutes to hour intervals depending on event pace)
Weaving observations into a coherent story:
LET’S SEE SOME “RAW” TIME-LAPSE FOOTAGE!
What needs description?
Why, why and why DO WE SEE WHAT WE SEE?
Raw pictures are inserted into an editing program such as iMovie, Windows Live Movie Maker, Adobe Premiere Elements, etc.
Individual shot duration decided upon to produce seconds running time
Voice recorded into program to provide accurate, revealing voiceover

8. The Assignment Overarching, guiding question:
How can we show and describe scientifically events that happen too slow for us to see in real time?
Classroom Handout (uploaded to NSTA scheduler)

9. Samples of Student Work
Gummi Bears in water vs. vinegar
Gel Crystals in Water
Egg in Vinegar
Butterfly Metamorphosis
Welding Process! – engaged some boys in their interests also involving the family
Day’s Light - overall good example
Polymer Frogs in water
Apple Oxidation
Loaf

10. The Process 1: the photo part
1. Brainstorm a subject
2. Evaluate equipment and feasibility of subject
3. Design time frame to end up with pictures in the set (total time in minutes / 50 gives a good frame interval)
4. Import into editor to make a “movie”
5. Watch movie and take notes on observed phenomena

11. The Process 2: Research and Production
6. Research and explain why the phenomena occur
7. Write a 200-word narrative script that coincide with images
8. Voice record the script in the video editor
9. Add any transitions or sound
10. Finish and share the final movie

12. Equipment, Software, and Techniques
Cameras and Photo Equipment
Digital camera (manually time shutter or setting)
Phone with good camera (can download app for iPhone, Android)
iOS 8 for iPhone/iPad has a time-lapse feature (demonstrated later)
Time-lapse camera (I have a Brinno)
Tripod mount for device (iPad sample)
Computers and Tablets
PC, Mac, iPad, other tablet, iPhone
Lighting considerations
Consistent and appropriate for subject/camera
If photographing sun/moon, test for camera “washout”

13. Time-lapse apps
iPhone/iPad (use its camera) with iMovie, WeVideo: Osnap!, Lapse-it, Hyperlapse from Instagram or others
Use iOS 8’s time-lapse setting
the-ios-8-time-lapse-feature-work
videos-on-iphone-or-ipad/
Android (use its camera) Galaxy Tablet, Note, etc.: with WeVideo , VivaVideo, (web-based): Osnap!, Lapse-it, or others
se-samsung-galaxy-note4/

14. Video Editing Software/Apps
Mac: iMovie, Adobe Premiere Elements (import photos)
PC: Windows Live Movie Maker, Adobe Premiere Elements (import photos), WeVideo
Chromebooks: WeVideo (import photos)

15. Practical considerations and classroom handouts
Time Will Tell Project Directions
Time Will Tell Script Checklist
Offer groups of 2-3 so as to cover equipment needs.

16. Thanks for your time and attention.