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Browse curated homeschool resources from the community
How Do Pregnancy Tests Work Tien Nguyen
Over-the-counter pregnancy tests give potentially life-changing results with a pretty high rate of accuracy. But how do they work? Tien Nguyen explains how each test performs a scientifically rigorous, multi-stage experiment that goes from start to finish in the time that it’ll take you to watch this video.
The physics of the "hardest move" in ballet - Arleen Sugano
Discover the physics behind ballet's 32 fouettés.
How to Have Constructive Conversations Julia Dhar
In this practical talk, world debate champion Julia Dhar shares three essential features of productive disagreements grounded in curiosity and purpose. The end result? Constructive conversations that sharpen your argument and strengthen your relationships.
The Exceptional Life of Benjamin Banneker Rose Margaret Ekeng Itua
Born in 1731 to freed slaves on a farm in Baltimore, Benjamin Banneker was obsessed with math and science. And his appetite for knowledge only grew as he taught himself astronomy, mathematics, engineering, and the study of the natural world. Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua details the numerous accomplishments of Benjamin Banneker.
Hacking Bacteria to Fight Cancer Tal Danino
In 1884, an unlucky patient who had a rapidly growing cancer in his neck came down with an unrelated bacterial skin infection. As he recovered from the infection, the cancer surprisingly began to recede. The infection had stimulated the patient’s immune system. Today, synthetic biologists program bacteria to safely deliver drugs directly to tumors. How is this possible? Tal Danino investigates.
These Animals Are Also Plants Wait What Luka Seamus Wright
The species of slug known as Elysia chlorotica may not look like much— it resembles a bright green leaf— but it’s one of the most extraordinary creatures on our planet. Living in marshes along the coast of North America, it can go about a year without eating. During that time, it lives like a plant. How is this possible? Luka Seamus Wright digs into the incredible adaptations of these mixotrophs.
Can You Solve the River Crossing Riddle Lisa Winer
As a wildfire rages through the grasslands, three lions and three wildebeest flee for their lives. To escape the inferno, they must cross over to the left bank of a crocodile-infested river. Can you help them figure out how to get across on the one raft available without losing any lives? Lisa Winer shows how.
The One Thing Stopping Jellyfish from Taking Over Mariela Pajuelo Javier Antonio Quinones
Over the past two decades, jellyfish have begun to overwhelm our oceans. If things stay on their current trajectory, we could be headed for a future where the entire ocean is thick with jellyfish. So, is there anything that can keep these gelatinous creatures under control? Mariela Pajuelo and Javier Antonio Quinones take a look at the jellyfish’s most ancient predator.
The Tech That Seems to Break the Laws of Physics Anna Rothschild
Typically, with any piece of technology, you pump one unit of energy in and you get about one out. That’s just the first law of thermodynamics: energy has to be conserved. But there’s a piece of technology called a heat pump, where for every bit of energy you put in, you get three to five times as much heat out. What wizardry is this? Anna Rothschild investigates the science of heat pumps.
How Much Land Does it Take to Power the World
No matter how we make electricity, it takes up space. Coal requires mines, and plants to convert it into electricity. Nuclear power takes uranium mines, facilities to refine it, a reactor, and a place to store the spent fuel safely. Renewable energy needs wind turbines or solar panels. So how much space would it take to power the whole world? Explore the sustainability of different power sources.
A Parkland Teacher s Homework for Us All Diane Wolk Rogers
What are the challenges involved in defining and interpreting the Second Amendment? What should be an individual’s right to bear arms? Learn about the evolution of gun laws in the United States, both historically and legally, through educator Diane Wolk-Rogers from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Wolk-Rogers offers three ways Americans can move forward to create more safety and responsibility around guns.
How Do We Measure Distances in Space Yuan Sen Ting
When we look at the sky, we have a flat, two-dimensional view. So how do astronomers figure the distances of stars and galaxies from Earth? Yuan-Sen Ting shows us how trigonometric parallaxes, standard candles and more help us determine the distance of objects several billion light years away from Earth.
Smithsonian Libraries Digital Library
Books Online The Libraries has over seven thousand rare books, journals and manuscripts online on subjects ranging from advertising and aeronautics to zinc sculpture and Zuni cuisine, though the
How Did Trains Standardize Time in the United States William Heuisler
If you live in the United States, you may live in the Eastern Standard Time Zone. Or maybe you live in Mountain Standard Time or one of the other standardized time zones. But these time zones have not always been around. In fact, it's a fairly recent development. William Heuisler explains the history of time and how trains changed everything.