In 1478, Pope Sixtus IV issued a decree authorizing the Catholic monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, to root out heresy in the Spanish kingdoms. The inquisition quickly turned its attention to ridding the region of people who were not part...

Hank talks about three scientific reasons why cute things make us a special kind of crazy.

Jessi and Squeaks talk about some surprise visitors that came to check out their picnic: Ants!

Annually, we shower over 5 billion pounds of pesticides across the Earth to control insects, unwanted weeds, funguses, rodents, and bacteria that may threaten our food supply. But is it worth it, knowing what we do about the associated...

Dutch artist Piet Mondrian's abstract, rectangular paintings inspired mathematicians to create a two-fold challenge. Can you solve the puzzle and get to the lowest score possible? Gordon Hamilton shows how.

Birds fly south, humans bundle up, but what do insects do to survive the winter? From creating antifreeze-like alcohols to burrowing in the ground, bugs have a few solutions to carry on.

One hundred green-eyed logicians have been imprisoned on an island by a mad dictator. Their only hope for freedom lies in the answer to one famously difficult logic puzzle. Can you solve it? Alex Gendler walks us through this green-eyed...

Have you ever looked really closely at your fingertips and noticed that they're covered in little bumps and ridges? Those are your fingerprints, a unique part of your body that helps make you... you!

Paul Andersen explains the importance of biodiversity. He starts by describing how biodiversity can be species, genetic or ecosystem diversity. He explains the importance of keystone species in an environment and gives two examples;...

In a talk about understanding and practicing the art of healthy relationships, Katie Hood reveals the five signs you might be in an unhealthy relationship -- with a romantic partner, a friend, a family member -- and shares the things you...

On December 7, 1941, 16 year-old Aki Kurose shared in the horror of millions of Americans when Japanese planes attacked Pearl Harbor. Unbeknownst to her, this shared experience would soon leave her family and over 120,000 Japanese...

Some animals have a special kind of fat below their skin to stay warm in the chilly months. Follow along with this special experiment to learn more about how blubber works!

Paul Andersen describes how life could have formed on our planet through natural processes. The progression from monomers, to polymers, to protocells and finally to cells is described. The Miller-Urey experiment is described in detail...

Lakshmi Pratury remembers the lost art of letter-writing and shares a series of notes her father wrote to her before he died. Her short but heartfelt talk may inspire you to set pen to paper, too.

In 1910, 90% of Black Americans lived in the South. By 1940, around 1.5 million Black Americans had left their homes, and 77% lived in the South. By 1970, 52% of Black Americans remained in the South. People moved away for many reasons,...

Animals eat their own poop in order to gain extra access to nutrients or to microbes that help digest those nutrients.



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With enough passion and practice, becoming a slam poet is within your reach. Explore a distant memory on paper, then read it out loud. Edit. Try reading it out loud again, and add your finishing touches. Gayle Danley offers five steps to...

Explore William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, “Hamlet,” a play about conspiracy, deception and the tragic consequences of indecision. -- “Who’s there?” Whispered in the dark, this question begins a tale of conspiracy, deception and...

One-of-a-kind R&B group Naturally 7 beatboxes an orchestra's worth of instruments to groove through their smooth single, "Fly Baby."

Improve your English with our original drama series. In this episode, you’ll hear real English conversations, learn everyday expressions, and practice listening comprehension in a fun, story-driven format. For learners at the Upper...

Improve your English with our original drama series. In this episode, you’ll hear real English conversations, learn everyday expressions, and practice listening comprehension in a fun, story-driven format. For learners at the Upper...

Improve your English with our original drama series. In this episode, you’ll hear real English conversations, learn everyday expressions, and practice listening comprehension in a fun, story-driven format. For learners at the...

Improve your English with our original drama series. In this episode, you’ll hear real English conversations, learn everyday expressions, and practice listening comprehension in a fun, story-driven format. For learners at the Upper...

The US healthcare system has a huge gap. A lot of care giving isn't covered, and it falls on families and friends to pick up the slack. It can take a lot of time and help to make it through an illness, and there isn't much coverage for...