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Why Do We Itch?
Our skin is the first line of defense against insects, parasites, and other irritants. How do we defend it? Step inside the science of scratching with a video from an informative playlist. Topics include how itching evolved, what happens...
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The Deadpool Salamander
Much like your favorite superhero, the axolotl has amazing super powers! Explore the extraordinary world of the salamander that never grows up in a video from a larger science playlist. Content includes axolotl behavior versus normal...
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The Cosmic Origins of Earth's Water
Was Earth born as a Blue Planet? Discover where water came from with a video from an intriguing science playlist. The resource covers the three most likely origins of water, how scientists differentiate between comet and asteroid water,...
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How Evolution Turned a Possum into a Wolf
Do bats really have thumbs? Explore this, and many other intriguing topics using a short video from a great science series. Viewers learn to differentiate between analogous and homologous structures, why natural selection favors traits...
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What's the Hottest Hot and Coldest Cold?
When temperatures get extreme, physics gets a little weird! Show physics scholars the lowest man-made temperature to date, as well as the extreme heat of the Big Bang using a video from an extensive playlist. The narrator explains some...
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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...
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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.
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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...
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How Do We Know Plate Tectonics Is Real?
Continents are on the move! An engaging lesson explains the acceptance of the idea of continental drift. The narrator of the It's Okay to Be Smart "Earth Science Videos!" installment considers the convincing evidence of the...
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How Much Plastic is in the Ocean?
Plastics in our oceans not only create unsightly litter, but they also threaten habitats. A video episode maps the location of the majority of the plastic debris and explains the impact the debris has on our world. The lesson also...
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How Do Glaciers Move?
A glacier is like a river of ice. An interesting lesson explores how solid glaciers manage to flow. The video instructor explains how the pressure of the weight of the ice decreases the melting point, allowing the glacier to move.
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Attack of the Cosmic Space Junk!
Even lands and planets far, far away feel the impact of humans! A video explains how space exploration leads to space litter. The lesson considers different events over time that led to space debris dangerous to satellites and even...
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Asteroids, Meteors, Comets… and the End of the World?
Dinosaurs owe their destiny to an asteroid. What are the chances humans will meet the same fate? A fascinating video lesson considers the probability of an asteroid colliding with the earth while taking into account variations in...
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Is Space a Thing?
Travel through time to learn from some of the world's greatest scientists. The narrator of a thought-provoking video investigates the theories of Newton, Mach, and Einstein among others to determine if space itself is a thing. Viewers...
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When Is It Winter On Other Planets?
Bundle up for a trip through the climates of the solar system. An informative video explains the seasons of each planet. The presenter demonstrates how the location and tilt of each planet determine the climate patterns.
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Why Is The Universe So Empty? (ft. PHD Comics!)
Explore the structure of the universe! An educational video demonstrates the gravitational consequences of different astronomical structures. The presenter starts with the creation of the universe and explains how energy and forces...
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Asteroid Mining: Our Ticket To Living Off Earth?
It turns out asteroids could be a gold mine—literally! An It's Ok To Be Smart video lesson describes the untapped resources orbiting our solar system. The presenter considers the possibilities of space colonies using these resources as...
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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...
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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...
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The Cheerios Effect
Why does cereal clump together in milk? Scientists answered this question in 2005 with the help of physics and math. A video explains the relationship between buoyancy, surface tension, and the meniscus. It teaches how to attract or...
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Engines of Destruction: The Science of Hurricanes!
A typical tropical cyclone consumes the same amount of power as the entire United States. Scientists understand hurricanes and predict their sizes and paths. The video explains the relationship between hurricanes and ideal engines. It...
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What’s Really Warming the Earth?
More carbon dioxide exists in the atmosphere than ever in human history. An informative video introduces the topic of global warming as part of a larger playlist. It looks at possible causes such as Earth's orbit, Earth's moving axis,...
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Attack of the Zombie Parasites!
There is a law in Haiti that makes it a crime to turn someone into a zombie. But is such a thing even possible? Scholars see examples of zombie-like organisms found here on Earth with a video that explores numerous examples, from...
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Rise of the Superbugs
The narrator of a short video shows learners the history of antibiotics with the use of penicillin. Viewers then see how bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics and what that means for our future health and for the...