What are these humans doing?

I was recently put on a project to develop curriculum for a Digital Connectors camp in March where the students are creating Digital Stories about their excitement about technology efforts in their community. I was trying to think of a movie clip to have a discussion around, and I thought of this video that my mom sent me a year or so ago.

NASA produces an "Astronomy Picture of the Day" at http://apod.nasa.gov where each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

Usually, these pictures are of solar systems, stars, or planets. One day, they featured a video about humans and happiness - a particularly fascinating part of our universe:

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080722.html

"Explanation: What are these humans doing? Dancing. Many humans on Earth exhibit periods of happiness, and one method of displaying happiness is dancing. Happiness and dancing transcend political boundaries and occur in practically every human society. Above, Matt Harding traveled through many nations on Earth, started dancing, and filmed the result. The video is perhaps a dramatic example that humans from all over planet Earth feel a common bond as part of a single species. Happiness is frequently contagious -- few people are able to watch the above video without smiling."

I am excited to use this clip for the Digital Connectors camp not only as an example of a great Digital Story, but also as a discussion piece about how their excitement and enthusiasm about technology will spark an amazing movement in their community.

Have a great day!

~Holly Kalemeris