Discover Resources
Browse curated homeschool resources from the community
How Does Chemotherapy Work Hyunsoo Joshua No
During World War I, scientists were trying to develop an antidote to the poisonous yellow cloud known as mustard gas. They discovered the gas was irrevocably damaging the bone marrow of affected soldiers. This gave the scientists an idea: cancer cells and bone marrow both replicate rapidly. Could mustard gas be used to fight cancer? Hyunsoo No details the discovery and development of chemotherapy.
The Search for Other Planets Olivier Guyon
Billions of stars. Billions of galaxies. A thousand years just to count all of the stars in our galaxy and then another thousand to count the galaxies in the universe. At TEDYouth 2012, Olivier Guyon examines the possibility of finding other planets within these astronomical numbers, some potentially rife with life.
What You Might Not Know About the Declaration of Independence Kenneth C Davis
In June 1776, a little over a year after the start of the American Revolutionary War, the US Continental Congress huddled together in a hot room in Philadelphia to talk independence. Kenneth C. Davis dives into some of the lesser known facts about the process of writing the Declaration of Independence and questions one very controversial omission.
National Geographic MapMaker Interactive Mapping Tool
This collection contains educational resources specifically designed to accompany National Geographic MapMaker, a Geographic Information System (GIS) tool for the classroom, developed by National Geographic and Esri. Maps allow us to find our way, analyze and visualize complex datasets, solve problems, and tell stories. They also facilitate learning. The materials featured here are built on the National Geography Standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Today's students need to understand how the world is interconnected and master the geographic competencies and knowledge necessary for sustainably enhancing economic competitiveness, preserving and improving quality of life, sustaining the environment, and ensuring national security.
Are Naked Mole Rats the Strangest Mammals Thomas Park
What mammal has the social life of an insect, the cold-bloodedness of a reptile, and the metabolism of a plant? Bald and buck-toothed, naked mole rats may not be pretty, but they are extraordinary. Thomas Park explains how mole rats' peculiar traits have evolved over millions of years to make them uniquely suited to survive harsh conditions - especially long periods without oxygen.
Can You Solve the Counterfeit Coin Riddle Jennifer Lu
You’re the realm’s greatest mathematician, but ever since you criticized the Emperor’s tax laws, you’ve been locked in the dungeon. Luckily for you, one of the Emperor’s governors has been convicted of paying his taxes with a counterfeit coin, which has made its way into the treasury. Can you earn your freedom by finding the fake? Jennifer Lu shows how.
You Don T Actually Know What Your Future Self Wants Shankar Vendantam
In a talk full of beautiful storytelling, journalist Shankar Vendantam explains the profound impact of something he calls the "illusion of continuity" — the belief that our future selves will share the same views, perspectives and hopes as our current selves — and shows how we can more proactively craft the people we are to become.
The Effects of Underwater Pressure on the Body Neosha s Kashef
Why would a fish throw up its stomach? What makes a scuba diver develop painful microbubbles in their joints? Neosha S Kashef details the basics of barotrauma, shedding light on how humans and fish alike are influenced by laws of physics under the sea.
Is Space Trying to Kill Us Ron Shaneyfelt
How likely is it that a massive asteroid will do major damage to Earth and its inhabitants? What about the sun -- is it dying out anytime soon? And the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way -- should we be worried about that? Ron Shaneyfelt assesses the dangers of space.
How Does the Thyroid Manage Your Metabolism Emma Bryce
Nestled in the tissues of your neck is a small, unassuming organ that wields enormous power over your body: the thyroid. Emma Bryce explains how the thyroid, like the operations manager in a company, is tasked with making sure that all the cells in your body are working properly.
Can You Solve the Prisoner Boxes Riddle Yossi Elran
Your favorite band is great at playing music...but not so great at being organized. They keep misplacing their instruments on tour, and it’s driving their manager mad. Can you solve the brain-numbing riddle their manager assigns them and make sure the band stays on their label? Yossi Elran shows how.
The Real Story Behind Archimedes Eureka Armand D Angour
When you think of Archimedes’ Eureka moment, you probably imagine a man in a bathtub, right? As it turns out, there's much more to the story. Armand D'Angour tells the story of Archimedes' biggest assignment -- an enormous floating palace commissioned by a king -- that helped him find Eureka.
What Makes a Hero Matthew Winkler
What trials unite not only Harry Potter or Frodo Baggins but many of literature's most interesting heroes? And what do ordinary people have in common with these literary heroes? Matthew Winkler takes us step-by-step through the crucial events that make or break a hero.
Out of Eden Walk: Exploring Human Migration
Explore diverse stories of modern human migration with National Geographic Explorer and journalist Paul Salopek. Analyze stories of migrants from around the world and challenge students to identify stories from their own communities.
The Woman Who Stared at the Sun Alex Gendler
In 1944, amateur astronomer Hisako Koyama’s latest endeavor was sketching the Sun’s shifting surface. She spent weeks angling her telescope towards the Sun and tracking every change she saw with drawings. Little did she know, these drawings were the start of one of the most important records of solar activity in human history. Alex Gendler details the incredible legacy of Koyama's work.
How to Unboil an Egg Eleanor Nelsen
It’s so obvious that it’s practically proverbial: you can’t unboil an egg. But actually, it turns out that you can -- sort of. Eleanor Nelsen explains the process by which mechanical energy can undo what thermal energy has done.
Smithsonian STEM Games: Shutterbugs and Tami's Tower
We offer free Smithsonian STEM games online or for download! Our games are designed with clear learning objectives, vetted by our team of curriculum experts, and are used by students around the world! Shutterbugs: Wiggle and Stomp Kindergarten | Physical Science Lions! Pandas! Naked mole rats? Come visit them all at Smithsonian’s National Zoo. We are on the lookout for animals that are swimming, running, wiggling, and stomping. Grab a camera and take some pictures of animals on the move! Shutterbugs teaches students how to describe movement and motion while visiting rare animals at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Each animal has coloring-page printouts, so you can print and color your favorite critter.
How to Spot a Counterfeit Bill Tien Nguyen
Authentic dollar bills are equipped with many security features to make them difficult to forge. But that doesn’t stop counterfeiters from trying to fool people with fakes. Luckily, anyone can help catch a counterfeit; all you need are a few simple tools and a bit of chemistry. Tien Nguyen details the chemistry behind counterfeit cash.
How Do Geckos Defy Gravity Eleanor Nelsen
Geckos aren’t covered in adhesives or hooks or suction cups, and yet they can effortlessly scale vertical walls and hang from ceilings. What’s going on? Eleanor Nelsen explains how geckos’ phenomenal feet allow them to defy gravity.
Can You Solve the Rogue Submarine Riddle Difficulty Level Master Alex Rosenthal
Smuggling yourself aboard the rogue submarine was the easy part. Hacking into the nuclear missile launch override — a little harder. And you’ve got a problem: you don’t have the override code. You know you need the same numbers that were used to authorize the launch, but one wrong answer will lock you out. Can you figure out what numbers to enter to stop nuclear war? Alex Rosenthal shows how.