[blockquote align=”center” variation=”red”]The Junco Project does a superb job of converting a common and widespread backyard bird into a lively textbook about evolution, animal behavior, genetics, and even our own biological makeup. We travel to habitats all over North America and learn in just a few spellbinding minutes how much…
[blockquote align=”center” variation=”red”]The “Junco Project” is a celebration of the scientific process and the sense of wonder and discovery that is at the heart of all scientific endeavors. It is also a celebration of the fact that we can learn valuable lessons from even the most familiar of birds. When…
[blockquote align=”center” variation=”red”]I showed the Diversification, part 1, video chapter to my introductory Evolution class last night, which was the start of the section I teach on speciation, and the film worked beautifully to illustrate both how scientists study species and the speciation process, and why applying species concepts can…
[blockquote align=”center” variation=”red”]I am teaching an adult education class on migratory birds at the National Zoo and I was able to use the UCSD chapter of the Ordinary Extraordinary Junco film as a perfect demonstration of contemporary evolution of migration and life history differences between residents and migrants. Thank you…
[blockquote align=”center” variation=”red”]The Extraordinary Ordinary Junco is a fascinating film that takes wide ranging ideas in evolutionary biology and distills them into an accessible and entertaining story. I have had a fun time watching each segment with my elementary aged daughter and discussing with her what is being learned from…
[blockquote align=”center” variation=”red”]Using the Junco Project in my class has brought to life a topic that students used to believe was as dead as Charles Darwin himself. They are fascinated to not only see current research by “regular guys” (as they would say), but to themselves be hands-on with the…
[blockquote align=”center” variation=”red”]”In evolutionary biology some of the most important studies focus on one or a few species, but they investigate this species at many different levels and over a long time. This makes species like the Junco real biological stars. The Junco Project website makes a treasure trove of…
[blockquote align=”center” variation=”red”]The Ordinary Extraordinary Junco is a truly wonderful set of films for introducing avian biology. Too often undergraduate science classes become narrowly focused on the biology and pathophysiology of mammals, and especially humans. The Junco movie provides a wonderful exposition of how studies on birds can also inform…
[blockquote align=”center” variation=”red”]This a visually arresting and intellectually satisfying film that has something for everyone – behavior, evolution, ecology and physiological mechanisms, plus excellent cinematography that will hold the attention of every student, even those who care only about the arts. The film also conveys something that is often lost…
[blockquote align=”center” variation=”red”]“Ordinary Extraordinary Junco should be shown in every high school biology classroom. The short segments and captivating story line keep student’s attention while encouraging them to think critically. After watching Ordinary Extraordinary Junco, students will have a better understanding of the scientific process, cellular chemistry, ecology, genetics, and…
