PBS
Seasonal Science: Pine Pollen
More than 125 species of pine trees exist, and each species can live over 100 years, with some living over 1,000 years—that's a lot of pine pollen! The Seasonal Science series explains why pine trees produce pollen. The video details the...
PBS
Seasonal Science: Frostbite
Fingers, toes, and nose. Oh, my! It's so cold outside. An animated video models the four-step progression of frostbite and how it affects the human body.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Prialt Blocks Motor Synapse in Fish
Have you ever wondered how to paralyze a fish? The cone snail produces venom that works, but what happens at a molecular level? A calcium channel blocker prevents muscle movement, enabling the slow-moving snail to catch faster, larger...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Prialt Blocks Pain Signaling in Mice
Prialt, a prescription pain medicine, is used to treat severe and chronic pain in humans, but is extremely toxic to fish. To understand how Prialt works, class members watch a short animated video that models how calcium channels that...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Signal Molecules Trigger Transcription Factors
How do transcription factors change the function of a cell? Learn how three similar cells find different functions based on their locations and the number of triggers available. Observe an animation of the process of assigning a trait...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Repellant Ephrin Signals Guide Limb Innervations
The foot bone connects to the leg bone, but how? Learn about how neurons grow in the proper direction thanks to signalling. Observe what happens when they encounter a repulsive ephrin signal and the correction process that takes place.
PBS
Clouds and Weather
The sun heats Earth's surface unevenly, causing crazy weather patterns around the globe. A NOVA video describes the resulting changes in air pressure, temperature, humidity and their impacts on weather. It connects the concepts to...
PBS
Severe Storms
Approximately 2,000 thunderstorms happen simultaneously across the planet at any given time—that's a lot! Beginning with how clouds form, NOVA describes the conditions needed for storms to develop, and highlights the three factors that...
PBS
The Climate Wild Card
If Earth didn't have clouds, the global temperature would be at least 22 degrees Fahrenheit warmer. Viewers examine the importance of clouds on temperature, climate, and global warming. The video describes the current impact of clouds...
PBS
Why So Many Cloud Types?
Scientists categorize clouds by both height and shape since both traits impact the weather independently. Viewers fly high to learn about the characteristics of each type of cloud. NOVA explains the composition of clouds, the atmospheric...
PBS
The Coriolis Effect Due to Earth's Rotation
Why do big storms spin as they travel? As Earth spins, the movement of air and water change. Viewers observe the Coriolis effect on paper airplanes, water, and even hurricanes—and find the effect is everywhere!
PBS
Biogeography: Where Life Lives
Biogeography is the study of the geographical distribution of plants and animals. NOVA's Evolution Lab explains how organisms on different continents can be so closely related. The resource discusses the processes that bring life from...
PBS
Evolution 101
Have you been shaped by evolution? A short video introduces the idea of evolution through examples of natural selection, reproduction, traits, and more. The video exists as a small part of a series from the NOVA Evolution Lab.
PBS
DNA Spells Evolution
In humans, the rate of mutation from one generation to the next is between 100 and 200 mutations. Discover the role of DNA mutation in evolution with an enriching lab activity.
PBS
Fossils: Rocking the Earth
Scientists learn about animals and plants living today by understanding the fossil record. A helpful resource includes a brief explanation of the process to help scholars complete the online game. It also mentions the gaps in knowledge...
PBS
Training Trees
Each branch of a phylogenetic represents a species, and you can trace each one back through history. A short video, the fourth of seven, introduces phylogenetic trees and the online game lab used in the unit.
Be Smart
Should You Eat Every Day?
Many religions and diets suggest fasting, but what does the science say about this method? An interesting video takes on fasting from an evolutionary and scientific perspective as part of a larger biology playlist. It discusses the...
Be Smart
Beavers: The Smartest Thing in Fur Pants
Beavers change the landscape and ecosystems in which they live. They also act as a keystone species and need to be protected. Learn more in an engaging video that is part of a larger playlist exploring biology.
Be Smart
Do Plants Think?
Plants react to many different stimuli, but do they think? After many years, scientists now have a definite answer. A video shares the theories and facts as part of a larger biology playlist. From plants listening to music to plants...
PBS
The Biggest Thing That Ever Flew
Imagine a reptile the size of a giraffe that flies across oceans. This reptile, quetzalcoatlus, existed, and scientists continue to learn more about this fascinating creature. The video, part of the Eons series, explains where the...
PBS
The Story of Saberteeth
Smilodon's fangs averaged 18 cm long. An engaging video explains what saberteeth are and how they evolved. It details the theories about how species used saberteeth and why cats don't have them today.
PBS
The Tully Monster and Other Problematic Creatures
Many reference mysterious fossils as belonging to monsters, but clearly they existed. A science series presents a video on problematic creatures. It specifically focuses on the tully monster, which, despite many fossils, has yet to...
Be Smart
Doomsday Machines
Nuclear weapons changed war forever. Scientists now know that a few of these weapons have the ability to change the climate and cause a mass extinction. Watch a video that details the ways these machines work—and the implications that...
Be Smart
How An Igloo Keeps You Warm
The idea of staying warm by surrounding yourself with ice confuses many—but it works! An informative video explains the science behind this as part of a larger playlist. It details the inspiration from animal shelters and how people make...