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...
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.
Be Smart
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...
Be Smart
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...
Be Smart
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...
Be Smart
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.
Be Smart
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...
Be Smart
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...
Socratica
What Is Earthshine?
Light travels in interesting ways through the solar system. A video episode from a longer series highlights how the sun's rays travel to the earth and moon and sometimes in between. Scholars learn about reflection properties on a very...
Socratica
Kepler's Second Law of Motion
Orbital velocity of planets change. Kepler's Second Law of Motion attempts to explain and predict the change in velocity. Scholars learn how to apply this law as they watch the video lesson.
Socratica
The Discovery of Uranus
Take a trip back in time to the Age of Enlightenment. A video lesson describes the sequence of events leading to the discovery of the planet Uranus. Previously, Uranus was considered a faint star, then a comet, and finally correctly...
Socratica
Let's Go to Mars
Put on your space boots as you take a trip through space to the fourth planet in our solar system. An informative video investigates the composition of Mars in relation to Earth. It considers the likelihood of life surviving on the...
Socratica
What Is a Black Hole? Black Holes Explained
Black holes are not just events in sci-fi movies—they're part of real life! Learners experience the creation of a black hole as they watch an episode of the Socratica playlist. The presenter explains the creation and composition of...
Socratica
What Are White Dwarfs?
White dwarfs are stars that refuse to die. A video begins with an explanation of the three fates of dying stars. The presentation explains the composition and life expectancy of a typical white dwarf.
Socratica
What Are Eclipses? Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse
Take a tour of one of the most dramatic astronomical events! The Socratica Astronomy series presents a lesson on the similarities and differences of solar and lunar eclipses. The narrator shows the physical arrangement that...
Socratica
What Are Neutron Stars?
What happens at the end of the life cycle of a star? A lesson in the Socratica Astronomy playlist shows three ways a star dies: white dwarf, black hole, and neutron star. Each ending depends on the mass of the original star.
TED-Ed
How Your Muscular System Works
Get ready for some heavy lifting! A detailed video lesson explains the different muscle groups and their functions. The presenter compares and contrasts different types of muscle compositions related to their purposes.
TED-Ed
The First Asteroid Ever Discovered
Flash back to 1801 to meet Ceres, the first asteroid discovery! Use a video lesson to learn how careful plotting and measuring led to the discovery of Ceres. Once lost, mapping the orbit led to new astronomy and new mathematics to...
NASA
The Water Cycle: Following the Water
Water that leaves the oceans must eventually return. The animations in the final lesson of the four-part NASA series show the complex path water can take across landforms before returning to the ocean. Approximately one-third of the...
NASA
The Water Cycle: Watering the Land
The oceans contribute 37 trillion tons of water to land masses in the form of rain and snow. The third in a four-part series from NASA show satellite animations highlighting the precipitation on Earth. The videos show the movement of the...
NASA
The Water Cycle: Steaming the Air
How does water vapor move from point A to point B? The second installment in a series of four on the water cycle allows scholars to analyze satellite images to answer this question. The satellite animations show how evaporation and...