CAITLIN:I’ve never built a rocket before.
TOM:Nor Me! It says to mix soda with vinegar and see what happens. I think it’s our rocket fuel.
CAITLIN:Cool! I’ll measure the baking soda. You do the vinegar?
CAITLIN (CONT):This should work.
TOM:It suggests we start with ten grams. Is that the same as a spoonful?
CAITLIN:Mm, think so…
TOM:Um… Here’s the vinegar – fifty milliliters.
CAITLIN:Are you sure?
TOM:Yes! I’VE measured it exactly! See!?
MINI CAITLIN:Ignore him, he’s worrying too much. Let’s just see what happens, like we’re supposed to.
MINI CAITLIN:C’mon Caitlin … If at first you don’t succeed …
MINI CAITLIN (CONT):Try … try … try again … Whoops!
CAITLIN:Look! I can’t even get the balloon on -it’s fizzing SO much!
TOM:What happened?
CAITLIN:I think we put too much powder in!
TOM:You mean YOU put too much powder in!
CAITLIN:It was a mistake! But … maybe we can learn from it?
MINI-CAITLIN:Isn’t gas what you need for lift off?
MINI-CAITLIN (CONT):Hey! Look! The bubbles are keeping you up…
CAITLIN:I think it could be a GOOD mistake!
MINI-TOM:Whoever heard of a good mistake? This is going to be a disaster!
MINI-TOM(CONT):Careful Tom – don’t put a foot wrong!
MINI-TOM (CONT):Argh! Look out for the piranhas! Woah!
MINI-TOM (CONT):Phew! Better safe than sorry.
TOM:You do what you like. I think I’ll go and do some proper rocket research.
MINI-TOM:You’re right to leave Caitlin to it if she thinks mistakes are good.They didn’t get to the moon by making mistakes!
TOM:Too right!
MINI-CAITLIN:Now for more vinegar.
MINI-CAITLIN (CONT):OK, remember what happened last time. Here come the bubbles…
MINI-CAITLIN (CONT):Wa-hey!
CAITLIN:Look! At least we know our rocket will fly!
TOM:How did you do that?
CAITLIN:I’ve been learning what works and what doesn’t.
MINI-TOM:You missed out because you were too worried about making mistakes. Maybe you can learn from THAT mistake.
TOM:What can I do to help?
CAITLIN:Let’s see if we can make the rocket go even higher …
TOM:Ready to launch! In goes the vinegar…
CAITLIN:Here’s the baking soda. I’ve rolled it in paper to stop it fizzing so quickly! I got the idea from Lucas!
TOM:Oh Cool! And now let’s try something a little different.
MINI-TOM:Go on Tom! Shake it! See what happens!
CAITLIN:This could go horribly wrong!
MINI-TOM:Ignore the piranhas… Keep moving…
MINI-TOM (CONT):Ok Tom let’s shake it up.
MINI-TOM (CONT):5…4…3…2…1…Lift off!
TOM:Woah!
CAITLIN:Awesome!
TOM:I wasn’t sure it would work! Shaking the bottle could have been a big mistake!
CAITLIN:But it wasn’t! It was a GOOD mistake!
Video summary
Tom and Caitlin are two young students doing a science project at a space centre.
Tom starts off with a fixed mindset. He is wary of taking risks with his learning and fears the consequences of making mistakes.
Caitlin is the opposite.
She has a growth mindset and feels happy and confident when taking risks.
She wants to use trial and error to see what works. She understands the value of good mistakes!
Caitlin decides to take a risk with the science project.
She wants to see what happens, and knows that she can learn lots by trying things out - and not worrying about what might happen.
Tom finds this difficult.
He wants to do everything he can to avoid making any mistakes, even if it means missing out on opportunities and new learning.
Through the clip, we see Tom's mindset start to change.
He moves from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. He starts to realise that mistakes can be good.
In fact, they can be great! And, you can learn lots by having a go, seeing what happens and viewing your mistakes in a positive light. By the end, Tom and Caitlin both have a growth mindset.
They are learning from their mistakes and having fun as they do.
They both appreciate the benefits of good mistakes.
This is from the series: Growth Mindset.
Teacher Notes
This could be used as an introduction to growth mindsets and a fantastic tool for helping learners reflect on how they think about learning and their own potential to develop.
This clip is suitable for teaching PSHE/Modern Studies at KS2 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 1st and 2nd Level in Scotland.
How your mindset can affect your approach to challenges. video
An animated clip exploring the difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset.
How to develop a positive mindset. video
An animated clip exploring how to develop a positive mindset.
