Learn about electricity when Ben Franklin leaps out of the pages of a student’s science textbook to help him with his homework. Using the latest computer graphics and experiments, Ben explains concepts such as lightning, static electricity, and simple, series, and parallel circuits. Discover the relationship between electricity and magnetism and learn that a variety of energy sources can produce electricity. DVD features include on-screen teacher’s guide and vocabulary plus chapter selections.
Grade levels: Upper Elementary (4-6)
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Simple and Compound Machines
When “Hardware Hal” holds a “Simple and Compound Machines Sale” he demonstrates to his assistants the six simple machines: the lever, wedge, inclined plane, pulley, wheel & axle, and screw. Shows how these machines make work easier by changing force, direction, or distance. Machines in action and computer graphics illustrate the principles of work, effort, force, distance, power, friction, and much more. DVD features include on-screen teacher’s guide and vocabulary plus chapter selections.
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Getting to Know Energy
Energy is all around you. Learn about the many different types of energy and how energy can change form. Vivid examples illustrate how potential energy and kinetic energy are defined, and how one form of energy can change into another. Discover that energy never goes away and that it can only be transferred from one form into another. DVD features include on-screen teacher’s guide and vocabulary plus chapter selections: (1) Introduction (2) What is energy? (3) Work (4) Forms of energy (5) Potential and kinetic energy (6) Review.
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Getting to Know Gravity
Students learn about gravity. First stop – Earth – to discover how gravity affects people and things on this planet. Next stop – outer space – to learn how gravity affects other planets. This learning journey demonstrates the effects of mass on gravity and the difference between mass and weight in a way that is easy to understand and fun to watch. DVD features include on-screen teacher’s guide and vocabulary plus chapter selections.
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A Closer Look at the Moon
This inspiring look at the Moon helps students understand what makes Earth’s nearest neighbor so unique. Take a close look at the Moon and learn why there are so many more craters on it than on Earth. Learn how the Moon affects our oceans’ tides and understand the phases of the Moon. Learn what a waxing or waning moon is, and also learn about lunar and solar eclipses and the Moon’s orbit around Earth.. DVD features include on-screen teacher’s guide and vocabulary plus chapter selections.
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A Closer Look at the Planets
NEWLY REVISED. Introduce your students to the new definitions of Planets, Dwarf Planets and Small Solar System Bodies. With the amazing clarity of new Hubble photography and 3D animation, students will discover: What happened to Pluto?? Newer planet categories like Terrestial and Jovian and new terminology like Plutons are made concrete and easy to understand. Students will learn how technology helps science expand and refine our growing understanding of the Solar System. DVD features include on-screen teacher’s guide and vocabulary plus chapter selections.
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A Closer Look at the Sun and Stars
When you look at the stars what do you see? It’s time to separate fact from fiction as we discover why stars light the sky; learn about constellations, amazing facts about Polaris and why stars appear to move with the seasons. Then we take a look at our own sun to discuss energy, sunspots, seasons, the greenhouse effect and even photosynthesis. DVD features include on-screen teacher’s guide and vocabulary plus chapter selections.
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Weathering and Erosion
The surface of the land has undergone many changes over its history. Water, rain, snow, and wind – they all continually shape and form the Earth. Take students on a journey to discover how physical weathering, chemical weathering, and erosion occur. Identify that the destructive forces of erosion and weathering are slow processes that change the surface of the earth. DVD features include on-screen teacher’s guide and vocabulary plus chapter selections.
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Geographical Features: Landforms
Combining stunning NASA and live footage with state-of-the-art animation, gives students a clear understanding of the physical features that shape our earth. Terms like escarpment, plateau, butte, outlier, and atoll are shown in their natural states with examples highlighted on an animated globe. Learn the names of these landforms and where they are found. DVD features include on-screen teacher’s guide and vocabulary plus chapter selections.
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Geographical Features: Bodies of Water
From the largest bodies of water – the oceans – to tiny streams and tributaries, students recognize the diversity of naturally occurring sources of water. Stunning NASA and live footage show seas, bays, lagoons, and other bodies of water, while examples of their locations are highlighted on an animated globe. DVD features include on-screen teacher’s guide and vocabulary plus chapter selections: (1) Introduction/ Oceans. Produced by Mazzarella Productions