BBC Bitesize: GCSE Chemistry Video Brief
May 2017
BBC Bitesize – GCSE Chemistry – Video Brief BBC Learning
May 2017
APPENDIX BBC Bitesize: GCSE Chemistry Video Brief
May 2017
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Contents About BBC Bitesize ....................................................................................................................... 2
Who is the BBC Bitesize audience? ..................................................................................................... 2
Style, tone and the Bitesize brand ...................................................................................................... 2
GCSE Chemistry ........................................................................................................................... 3
Look and feel ............................................................................................................................... 4
Requirements .............................................................................................................................. 5
Education consultant .......................................................................................................................... 6
Outline of work ............................................................................................................................ 6
General points ..................................................................................................................................... 6
Storyboards and scripts ...................................................................................................................... 6
About this commission ................................................................................................................. 8
Deliverables......................................................................................................................................... 8
Working together......................................................................................................................... 9
Who’s responsible for what? .............................................................................................................. 9
The BBC Learning team ....................................................................................................................... 9
Schedule/project management .......................................................................................................... 9
The process................................................................................................................................ 11
Proposal ............................................................................................................................................ 11
Resourcing ..................................................................................................................................... 11
Budget ........................................................................................................................................... 11
Proposal deliverable list ................................................................................................................ 11
Pitch .................................................................................................................................................. 12
Key dates ........................................................................................................................................... 12
Selection ............................................................................................................................................ 12
Appendix…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………12
APPENDIX BBC Bitesize: GCSE Chemistry Video Brief
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About BBC Bitesize
Who is the BBC Bitesize audience? Bitesize is the BBC’s study support service for students, helping 5-16 year olds with their coursework,
homework and preparation for tests and exams. Bitesize covers core subjects at primary, Scottish 1st
and 2nd levels, and a much wider range of subjects at secondary, including KS3, GCSE, Welsh TGAU,
Scottish National 4 and 5 and Higher.
Bitesize is used by approximately three-quarters of secondary school students in the UK, and traffic
peaked last year at just over 3.3m unique UK users per week.
Style, tone and the Bitesize brand BBC Bitesize is a highly trusted brand that students know they can turn to for reliable and
trustworthy information that is produced in a high quality and entertaining way.
Bitesize values:
• Quality learning resources with high production values, tailored to the needs of our
audience
• Clear, concise delivery of the key educational points - bite-sized chunks
• Inclusive
• Factually correct, high-quality and curriculum-relevant
• Simple, straightforward language
• Funny, quirky or irreverent tone where appropriate
• Innovative educational media formats
• Accessible to every level of academic ability
The video links below - whilst not necessarily being representative of the style we’re looking for from
this specific commission - give an indication of the variety of Bitesize videos currently available:
Exam and revision techniques: Planning your revision
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03ntp1w
GCSE English Literature: Great Expectations plot
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02nmq46
GCSE French: Sport
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02nm39n
GCSE Maths: Solving algebraic problems
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02m44z6
Given the videos are being produced for the 14-16 Bitesize audience we tend to steer clear of talking
animals and inanimate objects in animations (which can ‘age-down’ content).
APPENDIX BBC Bitesize: GCSE Chemistry Video Brief
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GCSE Chemistry The Department for Education has made changes to the GCSE Chemistry subject content in England (for first teaching in September 2016). Therefore, BBC Bitesize is enriching the GCSE Chemistry Bitesize content. On the Bitesize website, GCSE Chemistry will exist as a series of Study Guides, including:
webpages with text summaries and images (Revision chapters)
10-question multiple choice quizzes (Test chapters)
On the Bitesize – Revision App, GCSE Chemistry will exist as a series of flashcards, including text summaries, glossary terms, audio and video content, infographics and quizzes. This App flashcard content is a condensed version of the website content.
We would like to add:
10 short-form videos to provide students with further explanations of GCSE Chemistry content
This commission is for video content only. The maximum budget for the commission is £80,000.
The video content should appeal to GCSE Chemistry students in the 14-16 age range working
towards and revising for their GCSE exam. Videos need to cover some basics but also include more
advanced elements and ideas for higher-ability students. Special thought should be given to how the
videos can be made as accessible as possible.
Videos should be concise, lively and imaginative, and should present the information in a way that is
interesting to everyone.
Specifically, teacher consultation has highlighted a number of areas that GCSE Chemistry students
studying the course from September 2016 are likely to struggle in:
The new curriculum requires a much broader knowledge of Chemistry from students, with
topics previously set as higher level topics are now required of all students, eg Moles
The required practicals – at least 15% of the questions on the exam paper will relate to the
required practicals that students will have undertaken in lessons. This replaces the
traditional controlled assessments that take place during lesson time.
The application of Chemistry – students often focus on the knowledge and recall of the
subject content, however, this only accounts for 40% of their overall marks. The rest of the
marks relate to them being able to apply (40%) and analyse (20%) that knowledge. It is also
helpful for them to understand how Chemistry applies to real world contexts.
The additional Maths content – up to 20% of the marks in the Chemistry exam paper will
relate to Maths. Students tend to struggle to link their Maths knowledge to Science content.
APPENDIX BBC Bitesize: GCSE Chemistry Video Brief
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Look and feel Each video should provide an engaging and succinct explanation of the content and be appropriate
for 14-16 year olds. We are open to ideas for live-action video, animation or a mixture depending
on best fit for each of the videos. There may be options for using on-screen text or graphics
creatively or other effects to underline learning points.
There is a large amount of science content online – some of it is rather dry and unexciting to look at
(voiceovers over hand drawn images and teachers talking straight to camera are common) and some
of it is the opposite of this (engaging presenters, useful visuals, exciting animation and real-world
application).
With this in mind, we are focusing on topics that students find difficult to engage with or visualise,
making them more interesting and understandable. Many of our chosen topics cover complex or
abstract processes that benefit from visualisation through animation, graphics, or overlays. However,
we are also keen for presentation to be energetic and relatable where possible, and for real-world
application to be considered where necessary.
The below montage of videos have been chosen to reflect some of what is currently available, as
well as examples of styles and/or content which we believe may be particularly effective:
https://www.wevideo.com/view/903170473
APPENDIX BBC Bitesize: GCSE Chemistry Video Brief
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Requirements 10 short-form videos (7 x 3mins/ 3 x 4mins), 33 minutes in total, covering various aspects of the
GCSE Chemistry course. We would also like to capture 5-10 seconds of each video to work as a
stand-alone teaser for the video contents.
The videos should be split into two groups.
The first group of videos focus on specific Chemistry theory and concepts – these should run to
approximately 3 minutes.
The second group should focus on practical experiments stipulated in the exam specifications –
these should run to approximately 4 minutes. These videos should cover the science taking place
during the experiments as well as the skills required to conduct and analyse them. Whilst these
videos should include information to help students to carry out/analyse the specific practical, we are
also open to the inclusion of more abstract ideas to explain the scientific concepts, perhaps on a
bigger scale, before linking back to the specified practical equipment and procedure.
The list below shows potential video titles (please note these are subject to change in consultation
with BBC):
General theory-based videos (3 mins) 1.1 Moles
1.2 Covalent bonding
1.3 Ionic bonding
1.4 Energy changes
1.5 Equilibrium
1.6 Fractional distillation and cracking
1.7 Groups in the periodic table
Practical experiment-based videos (4 mins)
2.1 Electrolysis
2.2 Rates of reaction
2.3 Testing for gases and ions
To allow you to work up your summary creative solutions in relation to this commission, we have
provided further information (see appendix) on the videos. For each video, we have provided the
following information:
- Title and short description and suggested content
For the two films we would like you to include in your proposal we have included:
- Title and short description and suggested content
- Content – learning objectives of the film
APPENDIX BBC Bitesize: GCSE Chemistry Video Brief
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- Learning outcomes – what the students should know after they’ve watched the videos
Education consultant You will need to contract and work with an educational specialist/consultant who will be involved
throughout the process to ensure all learning objectives are covered and content is accurate and
relevant to our audience. All content (ie video concepts, initial scripts, final scripts, rough cuts, fine
cuts etc.) will need to be reviewed by the consultant before they are sent to us.
Outline of work 10 short-form videos of approximately 3 to 4 minutes in length (see ‘Requirements’) to be
published on bbc.co.uk, the Bitesize app and other channels as appropriate.
A 5-10 second teaser of each film.
Videos should be linear - interactivity is out of scope for this commission.
Videos should include voiceover, music and sound effects where appropriate.
In the main, the aim of the videos is to deliver a variety of Chemistry content in a way that is
easily comprehensible for our audience, covering the key points of the curriculum.
Video content should be engaging and informative. The video content should present the
key points using a practical approach. We are open to all fresh, creative ideas.
Please note that although Bitesize incorporates video clips for use in class by teachers, this
commission is part of our student-facing content and will sit within our study guides.
General points
All video content should use the learning outcomes provided by Bitesize as the basis for their
scripts. Bitesize is open to discussion about the number and breadth of learning outcomes.
The videos should encourage multiple viewings and sharing with friends.
Each video should stand alone in its own right as an engaging piece of content but also should feel part of a connected suite.
Video content typically remains live on Bitesize for at least 4-5 years, so topical references should be avoided to ensure that the content does not date too quickly.
We are not necessarily looking for responses featuring established star names for the voice
overs or people on screen – in fact up and coming talent would be preferred.
Bitesize will require final sign-off on voices and on-screen talent, as well as initial concepts
and scripts.
Where used, music should be production/mood music rather than commercial.
Storyboards and scripts The company awarded the contract will produce initial concepts, storyboards and scripts for each of the videos above. Bitesize requires full consultation during the scripting process, including the reviewing of drafts to
ensure the scripts hit the learning points, and full signoff on completed scripts.
APPENDIX BBC Bitesize: GCSE Chemistry Video Brief
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APPENDIX BBC Bitesize: GCSE Chemistry Video Brief
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About this commission The overall tone should be informal, chatty and appealing to the audience.
It is vital that the content feels part of the students’ world – the subject area can seem daunting so using easily-accessible examples should pique their interest.
Content should feel confident and assured, but not teacher-like. It should feel friendly and informal, but not like it is ‘trying too hard’.
The delivery should be quite pacey and natural, but not so quick that it loses learners. Clarity
is very important.
The video content should represent the diversity of the Bitesize audience. For example,
approximately 25% of school children today identify themselves as not being White British –
we celebrate diversity in all its forms.
Deliverables Final videos in electronic format – 10 x HD (a technical specification will be provided), both
compressed and uncompressed. Uncompressed audio provided in multiple channels.
XML transcripts for subtitles.
Post-production paperwork (template will be provided).
All content should be cleared for all rights in perpetuity. Any exceptions to this must be agreed
with BBC in advance of inclusion. This commission will be based on a framework 2 contract. This
link provides further information:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/online/articles/how-we-work#framework
APPENDIX BBC Bitesize: GCSE Chemistry Video Brief
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Working together
Who’s responsible for what? You will be responsible for:
project management and production of deliverables to agreed deadline and budget
chairing regular production meetings and communicating project plans and status
quality assurance of content (in cooperation with the educational consultant)
We will be responsible for:
sharing project documentation from the wider suite of Bitesize exam technique and revision
support content, if available
collaboration throughout the production and delivery
sign-off on the following: storylines/initial concepts, look and feel, scripts, essential cast
members, voice-casting, music, sounds effects, rough-cuts and final delivery – within an
agreed timeframe
We will be jointly responsible for:
ensuring the learning outcomes are met
ensuring that content is best-fit for the Bitesize audience
The BBC Learning team Mark Elkins – Editor, Bitesize
Muriel Amaechi – Producer, Bitesize
Sorcha Clifford – Assistant Producer, Bitesize
Martin Pampel – Researcher, Bitesize
Sandra Budin – Production Manager
Schedule/project management
Although key points such as casting, script sign-off points etc will be identified on the
Editorial Specification, all Bitesize production follows an iterative development process and
we will feed back ASAP on all editorial decisions.
Final delivery for the project is 11th December 2017.
This project is highly dependent on specific delivery dates that will be defined in the contract. As
such we would like you to give particular attention to clause 9 in our standard terms which states
the following:
If you fail or are due to fail to deliver a Deliverable (or any part thereof) due at any stage specified in Schedule 2
for any reason not directly and solely attributable to the BBC, the BBC shall (without prejudice to any other
rights or remedies available to the BBC under this Agreement or at law) be entitled to terminate this
Agreement.
APPENDIX BBC Bitesize: GCSE Chemistry Video Brief
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Should this situation arise and the BBC is forced to terminate, the BBC would only be liable to you for
anything delivered prior to termination. For this reason we would ask that you give timeframes and
delivery the highest priority.
APPENDIX BBC Bitesize: GCSE Chemistry Video Brief
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The process
Proposal Proposals should be provided as either MS Word documents or PDFs. They should be a maximum of
15 pages long. Please submit proposals to Sorcha Clifford, Assistant Producer, Bitesize at
Please use the following two videos to base your proposal on (these are highlighted in yellow at the
end of this document):
1.4 Energy changes
2.1 Electrolysis
If there are any general questions about the project, rather than those specific to your own
approach, we will distribute responses to all companies pitching.
Chemistry experience is not a prerequisite (although clearly would be useful) – what we’re looking for are creative and engaging solutions to bridging knowledge gaps.
Learning experience is not a prerequisite, but a thorough understanding of the needs of the
Bitesize audience and a clear approach to addressing those needs is expected.
Companies should have experience delivering engaging content for teens, ideally including
short-form content.
Resourcing
Please define your project team within your response – including an indication of core staff
members and freelance support. Please outline any talent, including – writer, director, subject
matter experts/consultants etc. Please allow time in your schedule for BBC reviews.
Budget
The maximum budget for this content is £80,000. Please provide a budget breakdown to show how
you intend to cost the project. Payment schedule to be agreed upon award of contract. Typical
payment might be:
5% on signature
20% on script sign off
20% on first day of principle photography / prod
25% on sign off of rough cuts
15% on sign off of fine cuts
15% on acceptance of full delivery
Proposal deliverable list
Company overview
Project overview/storyline
Summary creative solutions to the two videos listed
Resourcing
APPENDIX BBC Bitesize: GCSE Chemistry Video Brief
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Technical / production / project management approach
Budget
Schedule
Pitch Shortlisted companies will be invited to a face-to-face pitch at MediaCityUK, Salford the week of 26th
June 2017.
Key dates
Brief published 17th May 2017
Deadline for questions 24th May 2017
Response to questions 26th May 2017
Deadline for proposal submission 5pm, 5 June 2017
Invitation to pitch notification 16th June 2017
Face-to-face pitch Week beg 26thJune 2017
Notification of Contract Award 30th June 2017
Final delivery 11th Dec 2017
Selection The BBC will use the following standard criteria to evaluate the pitches submitted:
quality of the idea proposed – originality / suitability for Bitesize audience
ability to meet editorial requirements
pricing / value for money
project management / production plan (schedule and budget)
core staff experience
prior experience of company
presentation of response
Any queries on this commission should be emailed to Sorcha Clifford [email protected]
APPENDIX BBC Bitesize: GCSE Chemistry Video Brief
May 2017
Title Short description To cover - learning objectives
Learning outcomes (what students know AFTER WATCHING film)
Suggested content
Theory-based films (3’ each)
1.1 Moles Calculating moles, working out the theoretical/predicted yield of a solid product.
Calculating relative formula mass, definition of a mole, Avogadro constant, moles in equations, working out the limiting reactant, calculating moles of a pure substance (usually solid), predicted/theoretical yield of a pure solid product
1.2 Covalent bonding
Why and how covalent bonds form between non-metal atoms and the properties of simple molecular and giant covalent substances.
Why and how covalent bonds form between non-metal atoms, how to draw dot-cross diagrams, that there are two types of covalent structure (simple molecular covalent and giant covalent), the properties of typical SMC and GC substances, explanations for these properties
1.3 Ionic bonding Why and how ionic bonds form between metal and non-metal atoms, including structure and properties of ionic compounds.
Why and how ionic bonds form between metal atoms and non-metal atoms, how to draw dot-cross diagrams for ionic compounds, how to deduce the formula of an ionic compound, the giant lattice structure, describe and explain properties of ionic compounds
1.4 Energy changes
Applications of exothermic and endothermic reactions, and how to calculate energy changes using bond energies.
Know what is meant by exothermic and endothermic.
Interpret energy profiles for exothermic and endothermic reactions.
Calculate the energy change of a reaction using bond enthalpy values.
State the definitions of exothermic and endothermic and give examples of each type of reaction.
Draw energy profiles for exothermic and endothermic reactions, including the activation energy.
HT: Calculate the energy change of a reaction when given bond energy data.
1. Use familiar examples to exemplify and define exothermic and endothermic reactions, e.g. combustion and an instant ice pack (cut open to reveal contents).
2. Animate energy profiles for these reactions, including labelling and defining activation energy.
3. Explain that the energy change of a reaction depends on the amount of energy absorbed to break bonds in the reactants and the amount of energy released when new bonds are made in the products. (Higher)
4. Exemplify calculations of the energy change of a reaction when given bond enthalpy data (for simple reactions, e.g. hydrogen + chlorine --> hydrogen chloride; nitrogen + hydrogen --> ammonia). (Higher)
Title Short description To cover - learning Learning outcomes (what Suggested content
APPENDIX BBC Bitesize: GCSE Chemistry Video Brief
May 2017
objectives students know AFTER WATCHING film)
Theory-based films (3’ each) [cont]
1.5 Equilibrium
Reversible reactions, dynamic equilibrium and the reasons for choosing specific conditions in the Haber process.
Definitions of RR and DE, how a DE responds to changes in temp and pressure, illustrate with some industrial examples, e.g. contact process, Haber process, making methanol
1.6 Fractional distillation and cracking
The fractional distillation process and how cracking matches supply and demand for specific hydrocarbons.
Fractional distillation process, brief uses of some fractions, properties of fractions, why cracking is needed, how cracking occurs
1.7 Groups in the periodic table
Patterns in physical and chemical properties in Group 1, Group 7 and Group 0 (Group 8).
Group 1 elements (properties, reactions), group 7 elements (properties, uses, reactions), group 0 elements (properties, uses)
APPENDIX BBC Bitesize: GCSE Chemistry Video Brief
May 2017
Title Short description To cover - learning objectives
Learning outcomes (what students know AFTER WATCHING film)
Suggested content
Practical-based including theory (4’ each)
2.1 Electrolysis incl practical
How electrolysis can be used to obtain elements from a compound.
Describe how electrolysis is done in the lab.
Predict the products of electrolysis of molten and aqueous compounds.
Describe how to set up an electrolysis cell.
Explain the production of elements during the electrolysis of a molten ionic compound.
Predict the products when an aqueous solution is electrolysed, using ideas about the reactivity of the metal ion and whether a halide ion is present or not.
Describe and explain the electrolysis of copper sulfate using graphite electrodes and copper electrodes.
Write half equations for the electrode reactions (higher).
1. Demonstrate that solid zinc chloride will not conduct electricity.
2. Melt the zinc chloride over a Bunsen burner and explain why it now conducts.
3. Leave the circuit connected and observe the molten zinc and chlorine gas being produced; use animations to explain why these elements are produced at the cathode and anode respectively.
4. Demonstrate the electrolysis of aqueous copper chloride solution and explain the production of the copper and chlorine.
5. Demonstrate the electrolysis of aqueous potassium sulfate, collecting the hydrogen and oxygen produced, and explain why hydrogen is produced instead of potassium, and why oxygen is produced instead of sulfur/sulfur dioxide.
6. Demonstrate the electrolysis of copper sulfate using graphite electrodes and then using copper electrodes (time lapse for this second one).
2.2 Rates of reaction including practical
Practical ways to measure rates of reaction (gas collection, colour change), how to analyse the data, using collision theory.
Practical ways to measure rates of reaction, how to analyse the graphical data, using collision theory to explain why five factors affect rate of reaction. Practical element should cover the apparatus, method, common mistakes and sources of error, and the science behind each one i.e. the hypothesis and analysis/explanation.
2.3 Testing for gases and ions including practical
Various test for ions and gases.
Flame test for metal ions, NaOH precipitation test for metal ions, test for carbonate ions, test for sulfate ions, test for halide ions. Testing for gases, including hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, chlorine and ammonia. Practical element should cover the apparatus, method, common mistakes and sources of error, and the science behind each one i.e. the hypothesis and analysis/explanation.