TED-Ed
TED-ED: The true story of 'true' - Gina Cooke
The older the word, the longer (and more fascinating) the story. With roots in Old English, 'true' shares etymological ancestors with words like betroth and truce...but also with the word tree. In fact, trees have been metaphors for...
Bozeman Science
Chemical Analysis
In this video Paul Andersen explains how chemical analysis is important in determining the composition, purity and empirical formula of a compound. An empirical formula determination problem is also included.
TED Talks
Mark Forsyth: What's a snollygoster? A short lesson in political speak
Most politicians choose their words carefully, to shape the reality they hope to create. But does it work? Etymologist Mark Forsyth shares a few entertaining word-origin stories from British and American history (for instance, did you...
Bozeman Science
The Three Domains of Life
Paul Andersen starts with a brief description of the history of life. He then discusses the seven characteristics of life and why viruses are not alive. He then describes the three domains in the current classification system and...
SciShow
Why Do We Talk to Ourselves?
Do you mumble to yourself while looking for your keys, or pump yourself up in the morning with a bathroom mirror pep talk? It may actually be helpful,but only if you do it right.
TED-Ed
TED-ED: Shakespearean dating tips - Anthony John Peters
Beyond giving the world dozens of English language masterpieces and inventing countless words (including the word countless), William Shakespeare, ever the overachieving bard, especially had a way with the romantic turn of phrase....
Bozeman Science
Free Energy and the Equilibrium Constant
In this video Paul Andersen explains how thermodynamic and equilibrium reasoning can be related through changes in free energy and the equilibrium constant. When the delta G is negative the reaction shifts to the right or favors...
SciShow
What 'Alien Abductions' Say About Our Brains
You’re on the internet, so you probably know that people sometimes claim to have been abducted by aliens. When researchers start to look closely at these stories and where they come from, they begin to realize that there might be...
SciShow
The Surprising Connection Between Reading and Rhythm
You might know of dyslexia as a reading disorder, but years of research suggests that people with dyslexia might struggle with processing letters because they also have trouble processing rhythm.
SciShow
Uncovering the Secrets of the Past with AI
It’s probably not a surprise that many ancient texts are a bit worn out and tattered, and that makes deciphering what they say quite a task. But with new computer tech and artificial intelligence, we are getting much clearer glimpses of...
TED Talks
Erin McKean: Go ahead, make up new words!
In this fun, short talk from TEDYouth, lexicographer Erin McKean encourages — nay, cheerleads — her audience to create new words when the existing ones won’t quite do. She lists out 6 ways to make new words in English, from compounding...
TED-Ed
TED-ED: The poet who painted with his words - Genevieve Emy
Among the great poets of literary history, certain names like Homer, Shakespeare and Whitman are instantly recognizable. However, there's an early 20th century great poet whose name you may not know: Guillaume Apollinaire. Genevieve Emy...
TED Talks
TED: To learn is to be free | Shameem Akhtar
Shameem Akhtar posed as a boy during her early childhood in Pakistan so she could enjoy the privileges Pakistani girls are rarely afforded: to play outside and attend school. In an eye-opening, personal talk, Akhtar recounts how the...
SciShow
Why Do We Keep Needing New "G"s?
What’s with all the "G"s and why do we keep having to develop new ones to use our phones in this technology.
Bozeman Science
Neutralization Reaction
In a neutralization reaction (or acid-base reaction) a proton is transferred from the Brinsted--Lowry acid to the Brinsted--Lowry base. Water is amphoteric and so it can serve as either an acid or a base in a neutralization reaction. The...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: Do animals have language? - Michele Bishop
All animals communicate. But do they have language? Michele Bishop details the four specific qualities we associate with language and investigates whether or not certain animals utilize some or all of those qualities to communicate.
TED-Ed
TED-ED: Where did English come from? - Claire Bowern
When we talk about 'English', we often think of it as a single language. But what do the dialects spoken in dozens of countries around the world have in common with each other, or with the writings of Chaucer? Claire Bowern traces the...
TED Talks
Béatrice Coron: Stories cut from paper
With scissors and paper, artist Béatrice Coron creates intricate worlds, cities and countries, heavens and hells. Striding onstage in a glorious cape cut from Tyvek, she describes her creative process and the way her stories develop from...
TED Talks
Arnav Kapur: How AI could become an extension of your mind
Try talking to yourself without opening your mouth, by simply saying words internally. What if you could search the internet like that -- and get an answer back? In the first live public demo of his new technology, TED Fellow Arnav Kapur...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: The case against "good" and "bad" - Marlee Neel
Don't take the easy route! Instead, use this little trick to improve your writing -- let go of the words "good" and "bad," and push yourself to illustrate, elucidate and illuminate your world with language.
TED Talks
Lýdia Machová: The secrets of learning a new language
Want to learn a new language but feel daunted or unsure where to begin? You don't need some special talent or a "language gene," says Lýdia Machová. In an upbeat, inspiring talk, she reveals the secrets of polyglots (people who speak...
Bozeman Science
Biology
Paul Andersen introduces the topic of Biology. He covers each of the four main ideas that were developed by the College Board. These ideas revolve around the concepts of evolution, free energy, information and systems.
TED Talks
Fatima AlZahra'a Alatraktchi: To detect diseases earlier, let's speak bacteria's secret language
Bacteria "talk" to each other, sending chemical information to coordinate attacks. What if we could listen to what they were saying? Nanophysicist Fatima AlZahra'a Alatraktchi invented a tool to spy on bacterial chatter and translate...
SciShow
Can Pigeons Really Read
You may have heard about a study that found pigeons can visually recognize what printed words look like. Does that mean these birds can read?