In the early 90s, surfers in Britain were getting sick from high levels of pollution in the waters off Cornwall. This video tells the story of how these young people succeeded in changing England’s environmental laws. Their process is outlined as a 4-step guide to making change in a democracy: ‘Get Passionate’ (they organized ‘Surfers Against Sewage’), ‘Get Support’ (publicity through the media), ‘Get Legal’ (they sued the district council and lobbied nationally and internationally), and ‘Get Success’ (new environmental laws were passed).
Grade levels: Senior High (10-12)
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Preparing Wood – FEWTEL
This program illustrates the six steps of preparing a piece of lumber for use in a woodwork project. It employs the acronym, FEWTEL, as a way of remembering the sequence of these steps: F: Face side; E: Face Edge; W: Width; T: Thickness; E: End; L: Length. A student using hand tools demonstrates each stage in the process, but mention is also made of the use of machine tools. In addition to the FEWTEL process, the video deals with how to minimize waste in the workshop and choosing the type and size of stock. Hand tools employed include the plane, the try-square, and the marking gauge. Care is taken to maintain proper safety procedure throughout the video.
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Food Preservation
This video looks at food preservation methods and the factors that cause food to spoil. Factors affecting food preservation are examined: reasons for preserving food; enzyme activity in food; methods for controlling growth and killing micro-organisms; environmental factors: hygiene and packaging.
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Propaganda
This is a collection of archival footage from the propaganda films produced between 1916 and 1943, presented without additional commentary. Part 1 : World War One Propaganda films: Excerpts from Australian and German silent black and white films. Part 2 : World War Two Propaganda : British, German and Australian films.
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Powered Saws
With the table saw having its own video in this series, this program looks at three other machine saws in a typical school woodwork shop:
the band saw – changing and selecting of the blade, a demonstration of freehand sawing, the use of relief cuts and jigs, ripping, cross cutting, and angled cuts; the radial arm saw – demonstrations include the changing of the blade, proper stance by the operator, cross cutting and special cuts, such as the dado; the compound miter saw – how it is used to make square cuts, how stops can be clamped to the fence to make multiple cuts, and how to make mitered and oblique angled cuts. Safety issues and proper operating procedures are addressed. -
Plate Tectonics
The changing face of our planet is due to volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, sea floor spreading, subduction zones and mountains pushing up. Maps and international footage provide a clear picture of how tectonic plates move and form. The theory of Pangaea and how the continents have positioned themselves is depicted.
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Radioisotopes at work
Radioisotopes have an important role in society today. The ability of radiation to pass through matter allows radioisotopes to be applied in many different ways. This video examines the use of radioisotopes in medicine (diagnosis, radiotherapy) and industry (e.g. materials testing). Radioisotope manufacture is described and radiation safety is discussed in different contexts.
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Particle Model & Kinetic Theory
Topics include stacking – crystals, angles and ionic radii; temperature – kinetic energy; solution; precipitation – particles stack as crystals; particles move fast – Brownian movement; gas has mass, KE, momentum; gas has pressure, temperature, volume; gas laws – P,V, and T in combinations.
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Relating to Peers
An appealing dramatisation of some common problems springing from low self esteem such as worthlessness, jealousy, shyness, bullying and peer pressure. Five scenarios are shown : Wendy tries to buy friendships; Mark gives way under peer pressure; Vicki is unsure of herself and a friendship; Mandy feels worthless after a breakup; Brad bullies others to disguise his feelings.