Film
Festival - The Day After Tomorrow
Wednesday
- October 18, 2006
MAC Playhouse - 3:30 pm
- 6:15 PM
College Now Course - Science
Hosted by: Dr. Robert Singer, Professor of English
College Now English Course Coordinator
Dr. Mary Ortiz, College Now Science Course Coordinator
About
the Movie: The
Day After Tomorrow
Director, Roland Emmerich - Rating PG 13
In the film, The Day After Tomorrow, the audience witnesses the
near-destruction of most of the world due to deadly and uncontrollable climactic
conditions which were largely controllable by society if it had acted in concert
to make positive changes in the form of industrial and scientific reforms.
Some of the film's special effects are amazing but also frightening. Issues
involving global warming, industrial waste, and other matters that involve
the relationship between science and scientists who warn industry about its
dangerous practices, many of which could be controlled by governmental legislation,
were not taken seriously in time to alter the ruination of the world as we
know it. Floods, storms, and other climatic changes could have been less severe
or even prevented if people acted in time to preserve and respect the environment.
About
the Presenter: Dr. Mary Theresa Ortiz
Dr. Mary Ortiz is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at
Kingsborough Community College. Interested in space since childhood, she has
worked for NASA in the Space Life Sciences Training Program at The Kennedy
Space Center in Florida and as Faculty Research Fellow at The Stennis Space
Center in Mississippi.
She currently is involved in research focused on restoring eel grass in Jamaica
Bay, New York.
Extra
Credit Assignments
ACT - Style Prep
You have
been asked to write a letter to the school newspaper in which you will express
your view concerning the issue of this government's responsibility in controlling
industrial pollution and waste by legislating specific laws to protect the
environment even if it means interfering with business and free enterprise.
Do you feel that the government has the legal and moral right to effectively
control how business and industry runs itself when it affects the environment,
especially as depicted in this film's messages about global warming and overall
wasteful practices. Should the government be the "watchdog" for
the environment, and how should science and scientists actively enter into
this debate? Freely quote from any source of information and from the film.
Mini-Research Project
(NOTE: This
is NOT a research paper - it is a research-oriented experience in which
students gather information. They can prepare outlines, note-cards, a bibliography,
cite references, or practice any combination of these skills associated with
preparing a research paper).
Utilizing the library and its resources, and/or material from the Internet,
prepare an investigative project that focuses on any one of these topics associated
with the film, The Day After Tomorrow:
a) The first Ice Age
b) the science of climatology
c) tsunamis
d) the Continental Divide
Standard College Essay
Many
issues arise from the analysis and discussion of the film, The Day After
Tomorrow . Some of the more important issues involve properly funding
scientific research into short and long term areas of concern that have a
negative impact on the environment, looking for warning signs of environmental
decay and danger, working towards a common goal of preservation, instituting
industrial safeguards that protect the environment, and a feeling of responsibility
to one's country and family in a time of global crisis. There are other related
personal and social issues arising from the analysis of this film, and there
are only some suggested and significant themes to consider.
In a full-length essay (approximately 400-500 words), later to be revised
for content and correctness, discuss any of the issues raised in the film
The Day After Tomorrow that you consider to be of special interest
either for yourself or for society. Feel free to refer to the film or any
source of information in your essay. Explain why and how these issues are
significant not only in the film but also in relationship to your own life
or the lives of other people.
Event Photos The Day After Tomorrow - Oct. 18, 2006
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College
Now students await the screening of the movie The Day After Tomorrow.
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Film
host, Dr. Robert Singer, (left) with KCC Technical Coordinator Chris
Calafiore (center) and College Now Director Dr. Robert Pero (right).
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College
Now Science teachers John Christakos (Fort Hamilton HS), Ronette Fanning
(L.M. Goldstein HS) with Director of Collaborative Programs Dr. Rachelle
Goldsmith.
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Drs.
Mary Ortiz & Robert Singer discuss how the film relates to CN Science
1 course and some of the themes students should think about when watching
the film.
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Dr.
Nicholas Coch, an expert on geology and natural disasters, separates
scientific fact from fiction in the film.
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Film
Festival Host, Dr. Robert Singer (left) with Science Course Coordinator
Dr. Mary Ortiz, Director of Collaborative Programs Dr. Rachelle Goldsmith,
and guest speaker Dr. Nicholas Coch from Queens College.
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