I remember teaching a lesson on the life cycle of stars. It was for a year 11 class of middling ability, and it was actually being observed. I had thoroughly prepared for this lesson, going so far as to having the interactive whiteboard all set up, prepared notes for all the pupils and even a small 3/4 minute video of the recent Brian Cox series.
I spoke of the sheer size of the universe, the wonders of star birth and how we are but dust, in a galaxy so vast that it can literally blow your mind. I was animated, I was energetic, and above all I was interesting! I watched as the pupils were glassy eyed and silent. Was that a tear I saw in the eye of the boy at the back? Perhaps he realised the sheer scale of the subject matter and was blown away by the delivery of this teaching professional? Unfortunately it was because he had just yawned, water filling his eyes in sheer boredom.
The clip I had chosen was about entropy. How the universe will, quite possibly, eventually end. All matter becoming nothing, its final days spent as mere photons and eventually.. just.. nothing. I felt myself feeling thoroughly moved by this incredibly poignant notion. Just as the clip ended, with the last vestiges of sound echoing from the speakers, the bell goes. I feel triumphant at my attempt to engage a bunch of 15-16 year olds. I look around the room at my young, impressionable charges, as one by one, they lift their heads off the desk, yawn, stretch, and pack their things away.
As they are leaving I dare to ask a couple of stragglers about the lesson. With sleepy eyes, and one last yawn, I am told, "it was alright i suppose". Success!
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