magiclanternmedia.ca

Grade levels: Senior High (10-12)

  • Cnidarians

    The program begins with an in-depth study of Hydra; its feeding methods, stinging cells, reproduction by budding, and its sex life. Obelia illustrates a two-stage cnidarian life cycle, with the asexually-reproducing polyps and free swimming sexual medusae, characteristics shared by most members of Class Hydrazoa. The beautiful jellyfish of Class Scyphozoa pulse or drift through the open sea. Members of Class Anthozoa, sea anemones, hug the intertidal rocks trapping crabs and other small animals. Corals, their warm sea relatives, create one of the oldest and richest ecosystems on earth–the coral reef.

  • Flatworms

    This program provides detailed observations on structure, behavior and life cycles of planarians and other free-living flatworms, some so small they can only be studied with a microscope (Class Turbellaria). It examines the bizarre life cycles of flukes (class Trematoda) and tapeworms (class Cestoda) with revealing shots of these parasites at home in the organs of their vertebrate hosts.

  • Rotifers and Nematodes

    Nematodes (round worms) include a number of important human parasites. Thirteen common rotifer species illustrate this diverse group of microscopic animals. Bryozoans have evolved remarkable filter-feeding strategies that are observed in freshwater and marine species. Gastrotrichs, tardigrades (water bears), nemerteans, and a recently discovered phylum, the gnathostomulida, acquaint students with many of the lesser-known branches of animal life.

  • Program 52

    How would you like to manage a big city park? We’ll also visit with a river boat pilot and talk with a child actor who is trying to find himself a place in the motion picture and television industry.

  • Program 53

    Let’s see how they keep those streetcars cruising around the streets of New Orleans, while we also meet the famous Dukes of Dixieland. We’ll cap off the day with a ride on the fire department’s tower truck.

  • Program 54

    Meet some fortunate young men who are receiving another chance at life. Then, cruise down the Mississippi River with a tug boat captain, before taking a ride on the Canal Street Streetcar in New Orleans.

  • Program 55

    Mardi Gras in New Orleans . . . the Steamboat Natchez pilot who guides the ship along the Mississippi River . . . and a ride with one of the drivers who pilots the streetcars along St. Charles Avenues. What a day!

  • Algae

    The term “algae” is a catch-all for several evolutionary lines of photosynthetic organisms: Red Algae (plastids with chlorophyll A), Brown Algae (with chlorophyll A and C), and Green Algae(Chlorophyll A and B). These photosynthetic organisms play vital roles in aquatic and marine ecosystems, providing oxygen, food and shelter for vast communities of living things. Download free guide from our website.

  • Program 46

    Our viewers have an opportunity to see how video games such as “Madden NFL Football” are created . . . . . shake hands with a biologist . . . . . and see how a family manages a small hotel in the middle of New Orlean’s French Quarter.

  • Program 47

    Customs and homeland security have never been more important. We also visit a large fitness center and go a couple of rounds with a pair of disc jockeys.