What makes for a meaningful life? Social psychologist Brian S. Lowery explores three ideas tied to the experience of meaning and shows why simply pursuing personal achievements isn't the best way to find it.

Environmental activist Gopal D. Patel thinks the climate movement could learn a lot from one of the longest-standing social initiatives in human history: religion. Exploring three areas where frameworks from faith traditions could...

Taking lessons from a historical pattern called "Thucydides's Trap," political scientist Graham Allison shows why a rising China and a dominant United States could be headed towards a violent collision no one wants -- and how we can...

Inventor Dean Kamen lays out his argument for the Segway and offers a peek into his next big ideas (portable energy and water purification for developing countries).

Some days, it feels like the only thing we can agree on is that we can't agree -- on anything. Drawing on her background as a world debate champion, Julia Dhar offers three techniques to reshape the way we talk to each other so we can...

What would it take to settle Mars? In a talk about the future of space exploration, Lynn Rothschild reviews the immense challenges to living elsewhere in the universe and proposes some bold, creative solutions to making a home off planet...

Who hasn’t sent a text message saying “I’m on my way” when it wasn’t true or fudged the truth a touch in their online dating profile? But Jeff Hancock doesn’t believe that the anonymity of the internet encourages dishonesty. In fact, he...

In this short talk, Arianna Huffington shares a small idea that can awaken much bigger ones: the power of a good night's sleep. Instead of bragging about our sleep deficits, she urges us to shut our eyes and see the big picture: We can...

We can't control if we'll die, but we can "occupy death," in the words of Peter Saul, an emergency doctor. He asks us to think about the end of our lives -- and to question the modern model of slow, intubated death in hospital. Two big...

Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses -- and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person "being" a genius, all of us "have" a genius. It's a funny, personal and surprisingly...

Polio is almost completely eradicated. But as Bruce Aylward says: Almost isn't good enough with a disease this terrifying. Aylward lays out the plan to continue the scientific miracle that ended polio in most of the world -- and to snuff...

Chinese alchemists searching for an elixir of eternal life discovered the world's first chemical explosive. Hank has the full story on gunpowder in this SciShow about a big idea of science.

Nokia researcher Jan Chipchase's investigation into the ways we interact with technology has led him from the villages of Uganda to the insides of our pockets. He's made some unexpected discoveries along the way.

Writing a great English paper can be tough because literature doesn't always reveal its deeper meanings immediately. You might not know Mr. Darcy's true feelings for Elizabeth Bennett in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice or grasp the...

This video discusses supporting ideas in autobiographies.

This video explores the significance of symbols and allegories in storytelling, using the example of a phoenix as a symbol of rebirth and immortality. It delves into how elements like a full moon, fog, and a black cat in a graveyard...

Pupil outcome: I can explore the key themes in 'The Proudest Blue'. Key learning points: - A theme is a big idea, topic or message that appears in a story. - Themes in a story are used to convey deeper meaning and messages to the reader....

Pupil outcome: I can read and understand the poem and give a personal response. Key learning points: - Kit Wright is a poet and is known for writing imaginative poetry for children. - ‘The Magic Box’ by Kit Wright is a poem about putting...

Pupil outcome: I can discuss the main ideas of ‘When Stars are Scattered’. Key learning points: - 'When Stars are Scattered' is a graphic novel memoir of Omar Mohamed's experience of living in a refugee camp in Kenya. - Omar and his...

Pupil outcome: I can discuss the main ideas of ‘Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths’. Key learning points: - 'Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths' explores British East/South-East Asian prejudice. - In the story, there are some examples of...

Pupil outcome: I can identify and reflect on the key themes in 'Coming to England'. Key learning points: - ‘Coming to England’ highlights Floella’s resilience and advocacy against racism. - The text has themes of determination,...

Pupil outcome: I can discuss the main ideas of ‘The Girl of Ink and Stars’. Key learning points: - ‘The Girl of Ink and Stars’ is a novel, which blends the genres of myth and magical realism. - The text has strong links to location and...

Pupil outcome: I can discuss the main ideas of 'Cloud Busting'. Key learning points: - ‘Cloud Busting’ focuses on the relationship between two ‘friends’: Davey and Sam. - The story is told as a verse novel. - ‘Cloud Busting’ uses both...

Pupil outcome: I can explore the themes within ‘Mulan’ to infer a moral from the story. Key learning points: - A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story. - Identifying the themes within ‘Mulan’ helps us...