Explore large structures and what it takes to build them with this new five-part series. Hosted by David Macaulay, the award-winning author and illustrator of The Way Things Work and other books, each one-hour program focuses on a type of construction integral to modern life: bridges, tunnels, dams, skyscrapers, and domes. Discover the stories behind famous structures and their builders, plus how engineers today are building bigger than ever before. Each DVD also includes a short vignette featuring kids doing a simple hands-on engineering activity. (5 x 60:00)
Producers: WGBH
-
Bridges
Bridge the world and meet the brilliant designers who dared to extend roads and railways with ingenious, but sometimes flawed designs. From the Golden Gate to the Brooklyn Bridge, to some of Europe’s groundbreaking spans, students explore dozens of monumental engineering feats. Includes bonus hands-on building activity designed for kids. Special DVD features include: materials and activities for educators, scene selections and closed captions.
-
Dams
See how changing the course of rivers changed the course of history. From the massive Aswan, to the top of the Hoover Dam, students meet courageous and ambitious builders, relive deadly disasters, and discover little-known personal triumphs and tragedies through spectacular film footage, fascinating facts and authentic recreations. Includes bonus hands-on building activity designed for kids. Special DVD features include: materials and activities for educators, scene selections and closed captions.
-
Domes
Tour the world and trace the 2000-year history of domes. From the Houston Astrodome to Rome’s St. Peter’s Cathedral, to the geodesic domes of Buckminster, this program introduces ingenious designers, recounts rarely told heroic stories, and reveals amazing triumphs. Includes bonus hands-on building activity designed for kids. Special DVD features include: materials and activities for educators, scene selections and closed captions.
-
Skyscrapers
Travel to some of the world’s most incredible skylines and discover the amazing stories of skyscrapers – from gothic French stone cathedrals, to Chicago’s record-setting Sears Tower, and get a futuristic look at the towers of tomorrow. Tour the world and trace the 2000-year history of domes. From the Houston Astrodome to Rome’s St. Peter’s Cathedral, to the geodesic domes of Buckminster, this program introduces ingenious designers, recounts rarely told heroic stories, and reveals amazing triumphs.
-
Tunnels
How do tunnels travel under water? How do engineers bore through mountains of solid rock? Who dug the first tunnels? Go underground – from ancient Rome, to deep below New York’s Hudson River, to the remarkable Channel Tunnel that connects France and England – for an amazing look at tunnels. Meet the courageous engineers, relive deadly disasters, and discover little -known personal triumphs and tragedies through spectacular film footage, fascinating facts and authentic recreations.
-
Degrassi Junior High – Complete Series
Go to school with the show in a class by itself—and get real! Hailed as “groundbreaking,” “powerful” and “totally authentic,” Degrassi Junior High confronts it all–friendship, puberty, rumors, sports, studies and more–with a refreshing ensemble cast and a unique teen’s-eye-view of life. Sometimes moving, sometimes shocking, but always believable, Degrassi Junior High is a classic for teens of all ages. All your favorite characters and storylines are waiting–find your seat–school’s open! Includes all 42 episodes of the Degrassi Junior High series. (1092 minutes on 9 DVDs)
-
Fly Girls
At the height of World War II, more than a thousand women left their homes and jobs for the opportunity of a lifetime-to become the first female pilots to fly for the United States military. Eager to prove themselves, they faced danger and discrimination, and 38 gave their lives for their country. Led by America’s most accomplished aviatrix, Jacqueline Cochran, these pioneering women logged more than sixty million miles, ferrying planes throughout the United States, test-piloting experimental aircraft, and training men to fly. Still, the WASP fought a daily – and sometimes deadly – battle for respect.
-
Evolution Teacher’s Guide
This 40-page teacher’s guide is included in the curriculum kit, which is specifically for educators, and includes the 7-part Evolution series on 4 DVDs, an educator’s video featuring seven short classroom segments that explore the fundamental concepts of biological evolution, or 7 video cassette, and four teacher methodology segments that highlight the teaching of evolution in real classrooms around the country. This guide is only available with the Evolution Educational Set.
-
MacArthur
No soldier has ever captured the American imagination like Douglas MacArthur. He led Americans into combat for a half-century, through glorious victories and soul-numbing defeats. Courageous and supremely egotistical, he battled anyone who dared question his military judgment–even the President of the United States. 240 min on 2 DVDs.