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The Royal Society - Why Science Is For Me

The Royal Society

Why Science Is For Me

Studying science gives us amazing transferable skills and knowledge that we can take to every career. It’s essential we show students this side of science, and we worked with The Royal Society to create this animation highlighting the importance and benefits of studying science.

The Scrapbook

The challenge

Our brief was to create a whiteboard animation aimed at 11-16 year old, also appealing to parents and teachers. Our film had to highlight the value of the scientific method as a way of thinking, and the wide range of areas this could be applied to. We had to connect science and life for students, who may be considering careers they think didn’t think needed a knowledge of science. Our animation had to highlight strengths such as adaptability, critical thinking and teamwork.

The animation

Our animation reframed the study of science, repositioning the subject as a way of learning essential skills that not only benefit a wide variety of careers but also prepare students for as yet unknown roles and working environments. We did this by using a strong script, a professional but approachable voiceover and visual language tailored to 11-16 year old students. This included scripted language relevant to the main audience and secondary audiences, while our characters and occupations reflected 11-16 year olds and their interests. This built-in relatability can be seen in the rich and engaging way careers such as game designers, chefs and sports coaches were presented - brought to life with illustrations such as books and laptops, stopwatches and staff rotas, meal planning tools and virtual reality equipment. This imagery added to illustrations which portrayed iconic scientific achievements, breakthroughs and moments, such as the periodic table and the double helix. These allowed us to link clearly recognisable science with uses that may at first glance seem less related. The use of a maze within a brain acted as a dynamic setting to capture and embody key messages in the voiceover. All of this built to a conclusion that highlighted the range of the possibilities created by studying science and why science is for everyone.

About the client

As the oldest scientific academy in continuous existence, The Royal Society is a beacon for the sciences and it’s Fellowship includes many of the world’s most eminent minds. Their purpose is to promote scientific excellence and international collaboration, alongside the goal this film contributes to - demonstrating the importance of science to everyone.

The context

For more information and resources about promoting student engagement with science, visit The Royal Society website.

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Cognitive are award-winning pioneers of whiteboard animation, and the creators behind the RSA Animates series. We help corporate, academic and charitable organisations like the BBC, TED, Coca Cola and Sanofi to tell their stories more powerfully. Find out more about us here.