By Lizzy Tsuang
Circulation Editor
Math enthusiasts and science fanatics, meet YouTube.
Costa juniors Anna O’Connor and Cathy Miao bring standard classroom subjects to life in their collaborative YouTube channel, “Scientizers.” In their videos, they illustrate topics step-by-step, ranging from dynamic math proofs to challenging scientific concepts.
“We try to cover different aspects of math and science that are unrelated to anything you would see in a science curriculum,” O’Connor said. “The purpose of the channel is really just to provide an exciting way for me to learn new things, as well as providing others with fun, informative videos about topics they normally would not learn in the classroom.”
O’Connor and Miao create videos that are usually five minutes long using a standard iPad camera and editing software. According to Miao, the videos take about two days to research, film and edit. The videos typically consist of the explanation of a topic using diagrams and drawings.
“Making videos is an easy way for me to delve deeper into different aspects of science while creating a form of entertainment for both myself and others,” O’Connor said. “Through making videos, I have found myself more intrigued by certain topics.”
The channel offers O’Connor and Miao the opportunity to not only share their passion with viewers, but also learn about topics that they otherwise would not be exposed to in a standard high school curriculum.
“I have always loved science and learning new things,” O’Connor said. “I thought that having a place where I could teach other people about science and learn during the process myself was a fantastic idea.”
O’Connor and Miao bonded at a young age over similar interests in math and science. The two started the channel almost a year ago and film videos in their free time.
“Since starting the channel, I’ve become closer to Anna,” Miao said. “We share similar interests, ambitions, and goals. Working together has allowed us to identify our own individual strengths and weaknesses in the process of creating projects.”
According to Miao, the channel has impacted her understanding of and involvement with school courses. Her experiences work hand-in-hand with both her Advanced Placement and El Camino Community College classes.
“It’s imperative that someone who wants to pursue math and science in the future has a solid background in it,” Miao said. “Doing research for the videos is really fun.”
In the future, O’Connor hopes to apply the knowledge and experiences she has gained through her work she has done on the channel toward college and a career.
“As an aspiring engineer, I’m always eager to find out how machines, systems, or mechanisms work,” O’Connor said. “I believe that the organizational and time management skills we’ve acquired in the maintenance of the channel are invaluable to any job we hold in the future.”
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