This program examines the complex interaction between nature and human activity in the Murray-Darling Basin from early settlement to the present. Focussing on water as a resource, it explores: Geographic characteristics of the region, forms of agriculture and importance of region’s food production. Distribution of water resources, challenges faced by early farmers and other settlers. Historical development of water management policies. Development of water storage and irrigation methods, and the Snowy Mountains Scheme emergence of environmental problems.
Producers: Rees Films
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The Murray-Darling Basin: A System in Crisis (Part 2)
In program one we looked at how the natural features of the Murray-Darling Basin have shaped farming and water management practices, and how in turn those practices have changed the rivers and the land. In this second part of the series, we look at how over-allocation of water resources, climate change, salinity and other problems are threatening the long-term productivity and sustainability of the region.
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Australia: Great Southern Land
An introduction to Australia for middle-school students. Basic geographical features including the range of climates, the vast arid interior and the Great Barrier Reef off the Queensland coast. How aboriginal people lived in Australia for thousands of years. The arrival of British ships and establishment of a prison at Sydney. More recent immigration and today’s multicultural society. Australia’s unique animals and plants. Agriculture, mining, tourism and education: all important to Australia’s economy. Popular forms of recreation.
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Forces, Materials and Explosions
This program explores the forces released by explosions and their impact on materials. It identifies key features of explosions: rapid gas expansion and – with high explosives – shock waves.
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Astrophysics: A Tour of the Universe
Astrophysicist Rachel Webster – a Professor at Melbourne University – reviews key aspects of our current knowledge of the Universe and other topics and concepts that excite students.
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Einstein’s Heroes: Newton, Faraday and Maxwell
Dr Robyn Arianrhod, a writer and mathematician at Monash University takes us on a remarkable journey as she traces the connections between the development of electrodynamics by Faraday and Maxwell, and Einstein’s Theory of Special Relativity. Along the way, she looks at the roles both mathematics and experimentation have played in establishing these key areas of modern physics.
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Nuclear Energy: Advanced Version – Metric
In addition to covering all topics in the basic version of Nuclear Energy, this program covers a number of advanced topics. Understand the use of water to vary reactor power, as well as different methods of mining uranium and witness a specific example of a fission reaction. Students will be introduced to more detailed discussion of enrichment, including structure properties of Uranium Hexafluoride, centrifuging, gas diffusion and the decommissioning of nuclear power stations. Includes sequences designed for student enrichment and teacher background (breeder reactors, fusion and fusion reactors, fission).
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Nuclear Energy: Basic Version – Imperial
Introduces the basics of how a nuclear power station works. What is fission and the role of cooling water in nuclear reactors? Understand the nuclear fuel cycle: mining, milling, enrichment, fabrication and spent fuel (storage and reprocessing). Also discover other uses of nuclear energy, including ‘non-power’ uses. Includes sequences designed for student enrichment/ teacher background (breeder reactors, fusion and fusion reactors, and fission).
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Nuclear Energy: Advanced Version – Imperial
In addition to covering all topics in the basic version of Nuclear Energy, this program covers a number of advanced topics. Understand the use of water to vary reactor power, as well as different methods of mining uranium and witness a specific example of a fission reaction. Students will be introduced to more detailed discussion of enrichment, including structure properties of Uranium Hexafluoride, centrifuging, gas diffusion and the decommissioning of nuclear power stations. Includes sequences designed for student enrichment and teacher background (breeder reactors, fusion and fusion reactors, fission).
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Measurement and the Search for Relationships
Learn how mathematical relationships can be investigated experimentally and how to write the report. This program uses case studies to show how the physical world can be described by mathematical relationships. It specifically demonstrates how an experiment can be designed to test the effect of two independent variables and how mathematical formulae can be derived from experimental measurements. This program also outlines how to prepare a report for an experiment. Program chapters include: (intro, investigation, effect on T of mass, effect on t of oscillation amplitude, measuring spring stiffness, effect on T of spring stiffness and the search for a constant).