Grade levels: Senior High (10-12)

Suit up with one of the busiest all-hazards agencies in the U.S. They get more than 160,000 calls a year. That’s an average of 438 a day. Washington DC’s FEMS is one of the busiest all-hazards agencies in the US. When they’re not putting out fires, rescuing people from collapsing buildings or determining the contents of a suspicious package left on the steps of the White House, their units are protecting the district during special events at the nations’ capitol. Meet the men and women whose quick decisions can – and often do – save people’s lives daily.

Take a 24-hour ride through the most significant gateway in North America. Spread across 4,300 acres of land and 3,200 acres of water the port boasts nine container terminals. The Port of Los Angeles – known affectionately as “America’s Port”- is the biggest, busiest and most significant gateway to the North American market. With 500 million dollars worth of cargo passing through the LA wharves everyday, a delay at this port sends a ripple effect through the U.S. economy. With over 80 shipping lines constantly moving through its harbour, the Port of LA employs a team of 13 port pilots to guide all vessels through its waterways.

150,000 people from all over North America will descend upon the iconic Las Vegas Motor Speedway this October to watch one of the most thrilling car races of the year – the IndyCar World Championships. While most people know the Indy as a fast and furious ride – what they don’t get to see is the amazing technology, coordination and talent that work tirelessly behind the scenes to pull off this multi-million dollar event.

Its call sign is ATL and it manages 2,700 take-offs and landings everyday. An army of airport staff oversee a quarter of a million people who pass through its gates, as well as their luggage and their safety. There are more planes in the air and on the ground Friday evening – when the world’s busiest airport is strained to capacity. The only way to handle it is to keep a cool head. Passenger safety and on-time performance records depend on it. Meet the engineers, tarmac operators and the rest of the crew charged with this tremendous task.

Since its inaugural performance, Cirque Du Soleil’s “O” has enthralled over 10 million spectators, during the course of 6000 shows. While the production on-stage is breath-taking, the real amazing feat of coordination happens behind the scenes. While 85 artists risk their lives performing over a 1.5 million-gallon pool, 145 technicians work tirelessly to ensure that everyone is safe right up until the final act – the death-defying ‘cerceaux’ – which pushes performers and technicians alike to their peak capacity.

It is one of the most important canals in the world providing a much-needed shortcut across a continental divide. Discover how Panama Canal – one of the largest canals in the world – moves nearly 14,000 vessels a year between Pacific and Atlantic, shaving off up to two weeks of travel time. Instead of forcing ships around the tip of South America, specially-trained marine traffic controllers track dozens of ships passing through the canal 24/7. See how the specially trained Canal “pilots” masterfully steer Panamax vessels through tight corners and tricky turns, with mere inches to spare.

Grand Central Terminal moves 130,000 passengers a day over 400 miles of track and through 110 stations spread across New York City and upstate New York. It’s one of the busiest train stations in the world with more than 700,000 people who use the terminal and every weekday morning at 08:40 – rush hour is at its peak. And that’s where we begin.