National Science Foundation
Snowboarding—Science of the Winter Olympics
The greatest challenge of snowboarding is maintaining balance. An engaging video using a simple demonstration of actual snowboarders to illustrate physics in action.
National Science Foundation
Downhill Science—Science of the Winter Olympics
Newton would have made a first-rate skier! A video lesson analyzes Newton's second law from a skiing perspective. The narrator explains how the force, mass, and acceleration can work together to create a winning run.
National Science Foundation
Banking on Speed—Science of the Winter Olympics
Get on the right track! Young scholars learn about the importance of momentum and friction during a bobsled ride. A video lesson speaks to a bobsled designer to explain how he considers the physics during the design process.
National Science Foundation
Science Friction—Science of the Winter Olympics
Physics plays a role in most sports, and curling is no exception! A video explains how a curling team controls the friction between the stone and the ice to modify its movement.
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...
Crash Course
Screenplays
The biggest blockbuster of the year, the funniest romantic comedy, and the most emotional independent film all started in the same way: on the page. Young filmmakers learn about the role of the screenplay, as well as important parts of...
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...
Crash Course
Studying for Exams: Crash Course Study Skills #7
The test is tomorrow, so you should stay up all night to study—right? Teach middle and high schoolers that cramming is not the answer with a short video on studying for exams. It covers ways to address possible constraints on studying,...
Crash Course
Procrastination: Crash Course Study Skills #6
Is it true that we are evolutionarily programmed to procrastinate? Sort of. Learn how the factors of expectancy and short-term rewards can contribute to procrastination, how they are related to the habits of our ancestors, how...
Crash Course
Focus and Concentration: Crash Course Study Skills #5
Daydreamers and multi-taskers beware: some of your preconceived notions about work and attention are about to be proven wrong. A video about the importance of focusing on one task at a time—and the cognitive disadvantages of becoming...
Crash Course
Planning and Organization: Crash Course Study Skills #4
A good, regularly maintained organizational system can be the difference between a stressful year and a productive year. Guide high schoolers and college students through setting up their own method for organizing classes, information,...
Crash Course
Memory: Crash Course Study Skills #3
It can be frustrating to forget information that you need later on, but the brain is only meant to take on so much data at a time. A video from a longer playlist about study skills discusses the details of memory, including the...
Crash Course
Reading Assignments: Crash Course Study Skills #2
What's the difference between recognition and recall? Which one will help you on the test? Learn more about reading strategies and retaining information from large sections of text with the second video in a playlist about study skills.
Crash Course
Taking Notes: Crash Course Study Skills #1
If you've ever assigned lecture notes to your class and only received blank stares in return, this resource is for you. The first video in a playlist on study skills weighs the benefits and drawbacks to handwriting notes versus...
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
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...
Socratica
Kepler's Third Law of Motion
Kepler and Newton make a great team! Derive Kepler's Third Law of Motion using Newton's work with gravitational forces. An installment of the Socratica "Astronomy" playlist explores the applications of Kepler's Third Law of Motion...
Socratica
Kepler's First Law of Motion—Elliptical Orbits
Discover the transition from circular orbit theories to elliptical orbits. An episode of a video series on astronomy models the different elliptical shapes of the orbits of the planets in the solar systems. Using string, the presenter...
TED-Ed
Why Do You Need to Get a Flu Shot Every Year?
Don't let your classes take a shot in the dark! Help them understand different types of vaccinations with an informative video lesson. The narrator explains how the flu virus challenges vaccine creators each year thanks to its...
Be Smart
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...
Be Smart
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.