The photographer who led us into the awe-inspiring world of the womb has agreed to take us behind the scenes of his own work. For the first time ever, Lennart Nilsson reveals the state-of-the-art techniques that gave us The Miracle of Life and so much more. For decades, this unparalleled photographer has astonished the world with images–from the creatures under the sea to the viruses inside our cells–that make visible the mysteries of life. Yet Lennart Nilsson has kept his own secrets to himself…until now. Special DVD features include: Access to the NOVA Web site featuring an interview with Lennart Nilsson, a time-lapse sequence of growing embryos, an online teacher’s guide, and more; chapter search; English audiotrack; and subtitles.
Grade levels: Senior High (10-12)
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Search for a Safe Cigarette
In Search for a Safe Cigarette, NOVA gains unprecedented access to tobacco research and manufacturing facilities and asks the question: Can science help create a safer cigarette? Journey inside a lit cigarette and see how superheated tobacco creates over 45 known carcinogens. Trace the little-known history of “reduced risk” cigarettes, and discover why safer cigarettes developed in the 1960s were discontinued. See how tobacco-specific nitrosomines damage human DNA. Explore America’s love affair with cigarettes, including tobacco’s role in US history, shrewd cigarette marketing, and the impact of the Surgeon General’s warning. Then look into the future of “safer” tobacco products, like Accord, a new smoking system that features an external battery-powered tobacco lighter. Special DVD features include: Access to the Search for a Safe Cigarette Web site which features the anatomy of a cigarette, a history of “safer” cigarettes, effects of nicotine, a virtual science lab, an online teacher’s guide, and more; chapter search; English audiotrack; and subtitles.
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To the Moon
NOVA presents the fascinating story behind the Apollo space program, including the most remarkable feat in human history–the historic walk on the moon in 1969. Meet the unsung heroes, experience the dangers and discover a broader range of Apollo perspectives than any space documentary ever produced. Special DVD features include: Access to the To The Moon Web site, featuring panorama views from six moon landings, interactive lunar puzzles, interviews with top Apollo astronauts, and more; access to the NASA and NOVA web sites; chapter search; English audiotrack; subtitles.
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Volcano Above the Clouds
Just 200 miles south of the equator, Kilimanjaro has both equatorial and arctic conditions. Here, five distinct climatic zones inhabit the slopes of this 19,340-foot peak. It is a botanist’s dream: Rain forests rise out of the savanna, giving way to moorlands and alpine meadows where rare giant high altitude plants thrive. Atop this peak, a young female geologist takes viewers back to the dawn of time and the splitting apart of the African continent. Special DVD features include: materials and activities for educators; a link to the NOVA Web site; closed captions; and video descriptions.
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Wright Brothers’ Flying Machine
The challenge of rebuilding the Wright Brothers’ Flying Machine. Discover how the Wright Brothers transformed themselves from bicycle mechanics to high-flying inventors who built a machine that changed the world during a mythical flight at Kitty Hawk on December 17, 1903, and see how they contrived to refine their incredible aircraft. Special DVD features include: materials and activities for educators; a link to the NOVA Web site; closed captions; and video descriptions.
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Hunt for the Supertwister
Little on this earth can withstand the violent fury of an F5 tornado. A churning vortex with winds over 300 miles an hour, these tornadoes create immense swaths of death and destruction in a matter of seconds. But today, experts are exploring the supertwister’s complex inner workings in bold new ways in the hopes of one day being able to accurately predict the occurrences of tornadoes. Armed with the latest high-tech mobile radar and computer technology as well as large amounts of courage, the world’s top scientists and meteorologists take part in some of the most dangerous fieldwork imaginable. Operating just miles from ferocious twisters, they gather data and create forecasting models that may someday save countless lives. Join these fearless stormchasers as they untwist mysteries and close in on a breakthrough that may solve the puzzle of how these killer storms spawn and where they are likely to strike. And venture into America’s “Tornado Alley” region from Texas to the Dakotas to witness some of the most shockingly intense tornado footage ever filmed.
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Dying to Be Thin
Dying To Be Thin introduces you to students, ballet dancers, fashion models and other young women who are seeking recovery or have conquered their disease. Plus, you’ll discover how leading eating disorder specialists are making dramatic advances in the diagnosis and treatment of these two devastating diseases. Go behind the scenes with NOVA for a courageous and candid look at America’s body obsession.
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Man, A Plan, A Canal, Panama
A 30-year dream. A 50-mile shortcut. A timeless achievement. A 50-mile shortcut to the Pacific lying just north of the equator is one of the most extraordinary human achievements ever. The building of the Panama Canal was a massive feat of engineering and ingenuity that cost millions of dollars and thousands of lives. NOVA offers a unique opportunity to explore the mind-boggling undertaking through historic film footage, rare archival photographs and insightful narration from author David McCullough.
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Secrets of Lost Empires II: Medieval Siege
Discover how the fearsome, mechanized marvel known as the trebuchet catapulted warfare in different directions in Medieval Siege. Travel back to the Middle Ages and relive a fascinating turning point in warfare and medieval history.
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Welcome to Mars – DVD
On January 3, 2004, a tiny rover named Spirit crash-landed on the dusty surface of Mars and sent its first message home. The elation of the assembled scientists, as well as the behind-the-scenes engineering story leading up to the landing were captured by NOVA in its hugely popular documentary MARS Dead or Alive. That elation is the starting point for the highly anticipated sequel, Welcome to Mars, which follows the adventures of Spirit and Opportunity on the red planet. Once again, NOVA’s producers enjoyed unprecedented access to the mission scientists at JPL as they wrestled with the technical crises that soon beset the rovers. Welcome to Mars presents a compelling inside story of triumph and technical ingenuity, full of scientfic and human drama, with stunning fresh images from an alien world.