Explains how to prepare a wet mount slide, use stains to examine the features of plant and animal cells, and calculate magnification, field to view and scale. Examines the growth, division, and differentiation of cells.
Languages: English
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Measurement and Uncertainty
The importance of error and uncertainty in scientific measurement. Show case studies of students estimating and reporting the uncertainties in their measurements. The program deals with these questions: why is measurement important in science?; why is uncertainty inevitable in scientific measurements?; the importance of multiple measurements and of averaging the results; outliers; how to estimate the range of uncertainty in a measurement; accuracy and precision; how to manage uncertainty when adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing measurements; expressing uncertainty in standard form. The program concludes with a practical exercise: students are shown how to measure the Sun’s diameter, and then estimate the uncertainty in their results.
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The Kingdoms
Explains how the electron microscope has enabled scientists to probe the most elemental boundaries of life. Investigates the nature, transmission and harmful effects of viruses and notes the similarities and differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
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Genetics, Stem Cells and Society
An interview with Professor Alan Trounson covering his beginnings in science, his pioneering IVF work and leading role in embryonic stem cell research.
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Systems, Energy and Matter
Examines how living organisms, as open systems, exchange energy and matter with their environment. Explains the absorption, transportation and waste removal of water, minerals and gases in plants and animals.
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Nuclear Energy: The Issues
Nuclear power produces almost a fifth of the world’s electricity. Supporters say it’s safe, cheap and – best of all – the answer to global warming. Critics say it’s not safe, or cheap. And it won’t really help with the global warming problem. So who’s right? This program presents the arguments for and against, with relevant background information. Issues covered in this program include: radioactive waste: how hazardous is it?; Can it be safely stored?; How likely is an accident at a nuclear power plant?; What could the consequences be?; Are nuclear power stations terrorist targets?; Does nuclear power encourage the development of nuclear weapons?; Is nuclear energy ‘carbon-free’?; Is it the solution to global warming? NB: The science behind nuclear power – what nuclear fission is, how a nuclear power plant works and the ‘nuclear fuel cycle’ – is explained in more detail in a companion program: Nuclear Energy
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Maintaining Equilibrium
Explores the concepts of equilibrium and homeostasis in living systems. Examines diffusion, osmosis and tonicity at the cellular level. Illustrates the exchange of energy and matter in open systems.
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Nutrition and the New Food Pyramid
For Josh, ‘dinner’ will never be the same! In this engaging production children learn the importance of making good food choices for health, growth, and energy. Specific nutrients; proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, and fibers are all presented and discussed in a memorable way. Students are introduced to the new individualized food guide MyPyramid, and will learn how to read and apply this tool to their lives.
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Conservation Laws
Introduces the Conservation Laws. Examples of van Helmont, Lavoisier and Joule explain how scientific method led researchers to propose a hypothesis, design an experiment, record observations and draw conclusions and eventually become a scientific law.
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Thinking Like A Scientist: Scientific Method #1
Teach students to think like scientists with this colorful, kid-friendly introduction to the scientific method. Difficult terms like ‘hypothesis’ and concepts like ‘interpreting results’ will be made understandable with the use of real world activities. Each of the simplified steps is converted to a memorable icon (poster ready art of steps available on-line). Students will understand how that already use (prior knowledge) information to investigate through questioning, observing, guessing, testing and evaluating ideas and phenomena.