Curated Video
What is a Light Year?
When we look at distant stars, we are looking back in time. What is a light year, how is it measured and why do we measure distance in terms of time? Physics - Universe - Learning Points. Light travels through space at 300 million metres...
Curated Video
The Elements: Silicon
Discover the unique properties of silicon, which is found in many things from sand to computers. Chemistry - Periodic Table - Learning Points. Silicon is a metalloid element. Silicon is found in sand, quartz, the Sun and stars. Silicon...
Curated Video
Doppler Shift: Frequency and Motion
A change in the observed frequency of a wave when it is emitted from a moving object and observed from a stationary point, or vice versa. A Twig Science Glossary Film. Key scientific terms defined in just 60 seconds using stunning images...
Curated Video
Solar System
Our Sun and the collection of bodies that are bound to it by gravity. A Twig Science Glossary Film. Key scientific terms defined in just 60 seconds using stunning images and concise textual definitions. Twig Science Glossary Films...
Curated Video
Nebula
A cloud of gas and dust in space. A Twig Science Glossary Film. Key scientific terms defined in just 60 seconds using stunning images and concise textual definitions. Twig Science Glossary Films reinforce abstract concepts and key...
Curated Video
Cosmic dust
Or interstellar dust, is dust in outer space, often so fine that its particles are more like smoke. A Twig Science Glossary Film. Key scientific terms defined in just 60 seconds using stunning images and concise textual definitions. Twig...
Curated Video
Perspective: Parallax
Discover how parallax can be used to measure distances, and how early astronomers used it to find the distance of stars from Earth. Maths - Space A Twig Math Film. Reinforce and extend the learning required by the curriculum. Twig’s math...
Curated Video
Planet Hunters
Scientists suppose there could be other life-bearing planets like Earth. To find them, they are looking for 'wobbling' stars. Physics - Universe - Learning Points. When a planet orbits a star, it has just enough gravitational force to...
Curated Video
Constellations - Night Sky Patterns
Our sky is split into 88 different sections called constellations, which have been recognised and used by humans for centuries. Physics - Our Solar System - Learning Points. Constellations are set patterns of stars, such as Ursa Major....
Curated Video
Day and Night - Earth’s Rotation
What is the difference between day and night? How is this governed by the Earth's movement? Physics - Our Solar System - Learning Points. The Sun generates light. The Earth spins on its axis. A full rotation of Earth takes 24 hours. The...
Curated Video
Big Bang Theory
Discover one theory about a single event over 13.8 billion years ago, that might have created our Universe. Physics - Universe - Learning Points. The Big Bang took place over 13.8 billion years ago. The Big Bang caused our Universe to...
Curated Video
Making a Star on Earth
Large-scale nuclear fusion is one of the ultimate goals of science which has yet to be achieved. How does nuclear fusion work and is a future likely in which we can reproduce the power of a star on Earth? Earth Science - Earth's...
Curated Video
Cold War to Gamma Rays
When the Americans tried to detect radiation from Soviet bombs, they in fact discovered gamma ray bursts - radiation from deep space. Physics - Universe - Learning Points. During the Cold War, the US suspected the Soviets of testing...
Curated Video
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
The range of electromagnetic radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum is huge. Where does this radiation come from and how do the frequencies and wavelengths vary? Physics - Waves - Learning Points. Electromagnetic radiation is all...
Curated Video
What Are Stars?
What are stars made of? How are they born, how do they live, and how do they die? Physics - Our Solar System - Learning Points. Our nearest star is the Sun. A star is formed from a cloud of dust and gas, which shrinks under gravity and...
Curated Video
We Are All Made of Stars
Discover how elements are formed in the centre of stars, and how some elements are formed in even more spectacular conditions. Chemistry - Periodic Table - Learning Points. Most elements were created in space. At the beginning of the...
Curated Video
Forces of Nature
Introducing the four main forces of nature: gravity, electromagnetic force, weak and strong nuclear forces. Learn why they are fundamental to life on Earth. Physics - Forces - Learning Points. There are four fundamental forces of nature....
Curated Video
Planet Kevin
In the hunt for new planets, scientists look for stars that wobble. Astronomy student, Kevin, used this science to discover his own planet. Physics - Universe - Learning Points. Planet hunters use powerful telescopes to examine distant...
Curated Video
Big Bang Evidence
Discover the scientific evidence that supports the Big Bang theory - from the expanding Universe to cosmic microwave background radiation. Physics - Universe - Learning Points. An expanding Universe, an abundance of light elements, and...
Curated Video
The Search for Dark Matter
Deep underground in a disused mine in Yorkshire, scientists are searching for particles that can't be seen and have never been detected, but might bind our Universe together. Physics - Universe - Learning Points. Dark matter is believed...
Curated Video
Volume: Counting Stars
How many stars are there in the Universe? Astronomers calculate it the same way they would grains of sand on a beach... using volume. Maths - Measurement A Twig Math Film. Reinforce and extend the learning required by the curriculum....
Curated Video
The Goldilocks Zone
A delicate balancing act between the Sun and Earth makes ours the only known life-bearing planet in our Solar System. Physics - Our Solar System - Learning Points. Earth is the only planet with liquid water. If a planet is too close to...
Curated Video
Milky Way's Black Hole
Scientists believe there is a supermassive black hole 26,000 light years away at the centre of our Galaxy. But how do they know, when they can't see it? Physics - Universe - Learning Points. Black holes are formed when massive stars...
Curated Video
Plasma (physics)
A gaseous state of matter which contains a significant proportion of electrically charged particles called ions. A Twig Science Glossary Film. Key scientific terms defined in just 60 seconds using stunning images and concise textual...