Take a walk down the aisle of any supermarket or chemist these days and you are bound to be confronted by shelves full of nutrient supplements, ranging from vitamin A to zinc. But are they worth the price you pay for them? This information-packed program takes a balanced look at the essential nutrients needed by the body, the type of person who is most likely to take dietary supplements, and what differences, both good and bad, they can make to our everyday life. This program is a fresh look at a modern multi-billion dollar industry, including the rules of product labeling, and the cunning marketing that leverages off well-known sporting celebrities.
Grade levels: Adult
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Ties That Bind
The Emmy-nominated video documentary “Ties That Bind” captures the conversations of seven Chicago women who joined together in an effort to discuss what unifies and divides us. These women are leaders of their Jewish, Christian, Muslim, African-American, Hispanic and Euro-American communities. Their experiences bear valuable lessons for all of us.
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IVF
It is estimated that three million people worldwide have been conceived via in vitro fertilization, or IVF. Having this still relatively recent technology has led us to question who ‘deserves’ it, and the extent to which an embryo should be engineered. Some parents-to-be use IVF to avoid potential hereditary diseases, yet should parents be allowed to choose things like sex, hair and eye color? Should IVF be free, and if so, should it be free for everyone? This program looks at how different countries have navigated this new ethical territory, and investigates the often opposing stances that various religions have towards the practice. How have the boundaries for artificial pro-creation been set?
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Euthanasia
Do people have the right to die? Should the state condone the deliberate killing of a person? This program investigates the various religious, moral and philosophical arguments surrounding euthanasia, providing both ‘for’ and ‘against’ arguments for this controversial and important topic. Students will hear from many prominent figures, such as Lord Joel Joffe – the peer who has brought the Private Members Bill to legalize Assisted Dying to the UK Parliament, and Baroness Jane Campbell – a disabled peer violently opposed to Lord Joffe’s bill, who successfully prevented doctors from ‘letting her go’ in hospital. A short drama, Jay’s Choice, also assists in contextualizing the philosophical debates in an emotional ‘real life’ story. This informative program is bound to provoke debate on a subject which could potentially change the way in which we value life and the manner in which we perceive death.
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No Accounting for Taste: Why We Eat What We Eat
This program investigates the factors that play significant roles in determining the foods we love and those we just can’t stomach! With help from nutritionist Ros Ryan, and the experiences and opinions of everyday people from around the world, we reveal the physiological, psychological, social, and economic factors that affect our choice of foods. From satiety – our bodies telling us whether we are hungry or full – to positive and negative associations we have with certain foods, and the impact of culture, religion, lifestyle, peers, and the media, this is a rewarding examination of why we prefer certain types of foods over others.
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Menu Planning: Toddlers, Pregnancy, the Elderly
This informative program explains the nutrients our bodies require for optimum health and how these requirements change throughout our lives. It reviews the stages of our life cycle, the basic nutritional needs at each stage, and encourages thoughtful and well informed meal planning for three important life stages: toddlers, pregnancy and the elderly. The content is presented in a clear manner with lots of real-life examples and practical tips from experts in the field. With this information, viewers will understand the nutritional needs and dietary requirements needed, and the effects that deficiencies can have on our health.
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Factors of Design 3: Visual, Tactile and Aesthetic
This program introduces two inspirational new products and explores the visual, tactile and aesthetic factors that inform their design. ‘321 Water’ is an attractive personal water purifier aimed at health-conscious women. ‘Tear Lab’ is a non-threatening medical tool for measuring salt levels in tears. The designers of these products show us prototypes and development drawings and talk honestly about their design process. We see how their designs consider line, color, shape and form, as well as structural elements, touch and feel. This is all underlined with design theory, providing an excellent examination of the principles of good design.
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Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering may be one of the greatest breakthroughs in recent history however, with scientific advancements, new ethical issues are raised, forcing us to ask not how but if we should push genetic research to its absolute limit. This program looks at the possible benefits of genetic engineering, such as the treatment and possible cure of hereditary diseases and the creation of better, more efficient crops. It also explores the potential issues that arise with this new technology – the questionable morality of cloning, and the controversy that surrounds stem-cell research are two topics which are also investigated. Students will hear both secular and religious perspectives on the morality of intervening in nature at the most fundamental level.
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Cutting it in Costume
Clothes may make the man, but they really make the convincing dramatic character! Costume forms a crucial part of any stage production: get it right and it can say as much as the most eloquent soliloquy; get it wrong and it can distract from the best efforts of your production. This program explores the options available to students during the design process. Starting with a history of theatrical costume, the program goes on to explore the effects which can be created by using different materials, colors and patterns. Finally it discusses the role of the Wardrobe Supervisor, showing how students can make their drama work even more professional and convincing.
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The History of Theatre
The essence of good theatre is simplicity itself: believable characters, gripping stories and a seamless, convincing production. To understand how to achieve this we need to understand the roots of theatre. In this engaging and informative program we take a comprehensive look at the history of theatre and drama, taking students from the ancient Greeks to the medieval Mystery plays, from the Renaissance to the Restoration, finishing up with Modern Theatre, exploring different play styles, staging and acting. This is a brilliant overview of theatre that stands alone or can be used as a stimulus for devised work, further research projects or for developing a better understanding of historical context.