Texas Aquatic Science Video Project
Student Name(s): _________________________________
Project Description: Students work together to create a video that explains a specific concept or topic in the Texas Aquatic Science
curriculum. Students plan the concept of their project, develop a script/storyboard, and create their video in a logical format which
communicates their point. Video projects may include interviewing a professional in an aquatic science field. Successful presentations include
appropriate content such as photographs, video, music, animation, graphs, and other visual aids. Students upload the final project to
YouTube. Schools may submit one project per school to Texas Parks and Wildlife for competition by sending the YouTube link to
[email protected]. Where classes are one semester long, schools may submit one project per semester. Each submission must
be accompanied by a transcript of the finished video. Schools are responsible for obtaining student photo/video releases and including with
their submission. TPWD will post winning videos on the Texas Aquatic Science website as supplementary material to the curriculum.
TPWD tutorial on video production: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDIg3FbaHx4
Here are the categories:
Best 1-3 minute live-action video exploring/explaining a concept/topic
Best 1-3 minute animated video exploring/explaining a concept/topic
Best Blooper Outtake video resulting from a 1-3 minute video submission (must submit the 1-3 minute video as well)
Best 6 second clip
Here are some great examples to use as inspiration:
Prey (Shake ‘em off) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqEre3VPPbs
Drowned Town https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7X6xRAYJus
How Tsunamis Work https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx9vPv-T51I
So Many Systems https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rrZYSxqa94
Fossils Rock Anthem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClJ5lwl_wM0
Energy Conservation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm3wlGdAChw
Enzymes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZD5xsOKres
Teacher’s Scoring Rubric
ACTIVITY Exemplary Proficient Partially Proficient Incomplete POINTS
Concept 15-20 points 10-14 points 5-9 points 0-4 points
The concept describes a clear The concept describes a relatively The team has brainstormed Little effort has been spent on
picture of what students are clear picture of what they are trying their concept, but has no brainstorming and refining a
trying to achieve including an to achieve including what the team clear focus. Goals/final concept. The team appears
adequate description of what is trying to do overall but without product are not clearly unclear on their goals and how
they are trying to do and specifics on how each team defined. the project objectives will be met.
generally how each team member’s work will contribute to
member’s work will contribute to the final project.
the final project.
Script/ 12-15 points 8-11 points 4-7 points 0-3 points
Storyboard
The storyboard illustrates the The storyboard includes thumbnail The thumbnail sketches on There is no evidence of a
video presentation structure with sketches of each video scene and the storyboard are not in storyboard or script.
thumbnail sketches of each includes text for each segment of logical sequence and/or do
scene. Notations of proposed the presentation, descriptions of not provide complete
transitions, special effects, sound background audio for each scene, descriptions of the video
and title tracks are included: text, and notes about proposed shots scenes, audio background,
color, placement, graphics, are and dialogue. or notes about the dialogue.
detailed. Notes about proposed
dialogue/ narration text are
included.
Content/ 15-20 points 10-14 points 5-9 points 0-4 points
Organization
The content includes a clear Information presented is a The project does not present Content lacks a central theme,
statement of purpose or theme connected theme with accurate and a clearly stated theme, is clear point of view and/or logical
and is creative, compelling and current supporting information vague, and/or some of the sequence of information. Much of
clearly written. A rich variety of contributing to understanding of the supporting information does the supporting information is
supporting information in the project’s main idea. Details are not seem to fit the main irrelevant to the overall message.
video contributes to the logical and persuasive information idea. Citations and facts are The viewer is unsure what the
understanding of the project’s is used effectively. The content minimal. message is. Information is
main idea. Events and messages includes a clear point of view with a incorrect, out of date, or
are presented in a logical order. progression of ideas and incomplete. No citations
Includes properly cited sources. supporting information. Includes included.
properly cited sources.
Quality 12-15 points 8-11 points 4-7 points 0-3 points
The video project was completed Video was completed and Video was produced, but There was no video, or video
and included most of the contained many of the suggested had very little editing. Many was unedited without transitions
suggested elements. The video elements. Editing was incomplete poor quality shots remain. or audio support.
was well edited and moves or poorly done. Some poor shots Video was fragmented and
smoothly from scene to scene remain. Video is still somewhat choppy with little to no audio
with proper use of transitions. choppy. Audio and other reinforcement.
Audio was clear and enhancements were utilized, but
understandable and other not for maximum effect.
enhancements were well used.
Teamwork 12-15 points 8-11 points 4-7 points 0-3 points
Students met and had Students met and had discussions Minimal team meetings were Meetings were not held and/or
discussions regularly. All regularly. Most of the students on held. Most of the students not all of the team members
students on the team contributed the team contributed to the on the team contributed, but contributed to the project.
to the discussion and were part discussion and were part of the a majority of the work was Teamwork was not evident.
of the final project. Team final project. Team members done by one or two.
members showed respect to one mostly showed respect toward
another. each other.
Timeliness 12-15 points 8-11 points 4-7 points 0-3 points
All project deadlines were met. Most project deadlines were met. Many project deadlines were Deadlines were disregarded,
Those that were late did not have not met, negatively having a significant impact on the
significant impact on the finished impacting the finished final project.
project. project.
Final Score
TPWD Competition Rubric
Element Exemplary Proficient Partially Proficient Incomplete POINTS
Concept/Topic 40-50 points 26-39 points 11-25 points 0-10 points
Video clearly conveys a very Video conveys a concept or topic Video conveys a general Video conveys a general idea
specific concept or topic from from Texas Aquatic Science idea from Texas Aquatic from Texas Aquatic Science
Texas Aquatic Science Curriculum and shows clear Science Curriculum and Curriculum and reveals
Curriculum and shows depth of understanding supported by visual shows only superficial misconceptions or lack of
understanding supported by or audio content. knowledge. knowledge of the students.
visual and audio content.
Video quality 40-50 points 26-39 points 11-25 points 0-10 points
Guidelines for Caption Scripts, Keys and Credits
Caption Scripts
The Name of the Story
((music))
[narrator]
It was a dark and stormy night. A shot rang out.
((gunshot))
((scream))
[narrator]
Are you figuring this out? It’s so simple
[Bob Dobbs]
I don’t know what I was thinking. My hat just didn’t fit the diverse habitat.
[Andy Glusenkamp]
You can make a hatband out of a snake skin.
[Bob]
I’d love to have a snakeskin hatband.
[Andy]
Here’s how you make one.
-end-
(Once you use a person’s name with them speaking, just use the first name afterward, unless there are two people with the same first name.
Do not need any job description information in the caption script)
(Don’t put ‘sound of gunshot’, just ‘gunshot’ will do. Don’t put ‘sound of tire on road’ just put ‘tire on road’. Keep it simple and to the point. If
the sound pop is important to the story, put it in. If it doesn’t really matter, leave it out. Captions go by quickly. Make it short.)
Keys
Andy Glusenkamp
Herpetologist
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (this is always spelled out in full)
Missy Elliott
Wildlife Biologist
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Alpaca Minion State Park
Blumefield, Texas (if it’s in Texas, put Texas. The video will be seen outside of Texas.)
Credits
The Hat Story
Jeffrey Burras
Producer / Photographer
Additional Photography
Ken Burns
Production Assistance Provided By
The Texas Center for History Stuff
The University of Southeast Texas
Still Photos Courtesy of
The Burns Family
Irving Penn
