Library Videos
Following is the list of videos at the Educator Resource Center and Lyman Library, organized by subject. All media can be borrowed for two weeks, and no more than three videos can be borrowed at one time. If you would like to reserve a video, contact us: 617-589-0174, lymanlibrary@mos.org. We hold the reserved media behind the circulation desk for up to two weeks.
Ancient Civilizations and Archaeology
How Do You Know? Dig It Up! (15 min. 3-2-1 Classroom Contact) Anthropologists study people - where they live, what they eat, their customs, and social relationships. Grades 3 - 6.
Ice Mummies: Siberian Ice Maiden (60 min. Nova) The Siberian Ice Maiden is one of the most important archaelogical discoveries of the 20th century. She was found meticulously embalmed, dressed and adorned in her tomb on a plateau in Central Asia. Viewers can see a rare glimpse of her life and death. Grades 7 and up.
Mummies Made in Egypt (30 min. Reading Rainbow) This film includes a visit to Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. Grades K - 3.
Mysteries of Egypt (90 min. National Geographic) A grandfather enchants his granddaughter with tales of tombs and treasures. Travel back more than 4,000 years to a time when the Great Pyramids of Giza were built. Grades 4 and up.
Mystery of the Maya (38 min. IMAX) This video explores the culture, science, and history of the civilizations who lived deep within the jungles of Mexico and Guatemala. Grades 7 and up.
Pollution Solutions/Archaeology (42 min. Bill Nye) 2 parts. Part 1: Bill demonstrates how important it is for all humans to prepare for the future by recycling, researching, and developing innovative solutions - from cleaning our water to cleansing our air - to combat this "way UN-cool" worldwide problem. Part 2: Bill digs into the fascinating science of archaeology, the study of those who lived before us. Grades 3 - 8.
This Old Pyramid (60 min. Nova) Pyramid construction theories are put to the test. Grades 4 and up.
The Quest for Immortality in Ancient Egypt (12 min. National Gallery of Art Dept. of Exhibition Programs) This version is the 12-minute overview of the exhibition, entitled The Quest for Immortality in Ancient Egypt, and its artifacts.
Animals
Africa: The Serengeti (30 min. Houston Museum of Natural Science) Once a year, in the time of drought, about two million herd animals like antelopes travel north to feed and mate before moving south again, when plants there begin to blossom. Narrated by James Earl Jones. Grade 6 and up.
African Safari (30 min. National Geographic Society) Witness the realities of survival in this vivid encounter with the animal world. This film was recorded in Namibia's Etosha National Park over the course of two years, capturing extraordinary close-ups of animal behavior. Grades 6 and up.
America's Endangered Species: Don't Say Goodbye (60 min. National Geographic) Two photographers travel the country capturing endangered species on film. Grades 4 and up.
Amphibian (35 min. Eyewitness) This film explores the world of frogs, toads, and salamanders. Grade 2 - 6.
Amphibians/Invertebrates (47 min. Bill Nye) Bill Nye answers great questions like "What does the Greek word amphibian mean?" and "Are all insects invertebrates?" 2 Parts. Grades 3 - 8.
Animal Interdependency (23 min. Schlessinger Media) This film delves into the complex relationships between living things. Grades 5 - 8.
Antarctic Wildlife Adventure (60 min. National Geographic) Two naturalists and their sons set sail on a 50-foot schooner to explore rocky coasts, azure blue seas, towering icebergs and the wildlife of the Antarctic peninsula. Grades 2 and up.
Ape (35 min. Eyewitness) Narrated by Martin Sheen, this film explores the entire primate family. A chimp is your guide through this animal adventure. Grade 5 and up.
Arctic and Antarctic (35 min. Eyewitness) Narrated by Martin Sheen, this film explores the polar habitat and animals that live in it. Grade 5 and up.
Awesome Animal Builders (46 min. Really Wild Animals) Animals use their own bodies as tools to build houses in this video, which also explores migrating animals across the globe. Grades K - 3.
Bats of America (14 min. Bat Conservation International) Learn about the many species of bats in America and how they migrate, hunt, and rear their young. Also explore how bats are a vital role in our environment and what is being done to preserve them. Grades 10 and up.
Bats: Myths and Reality (16 min. Bat Conservation International) This film squashes the myth that bats are fearsome by introducing over 40 species of bats and showing you their majestic and important lifestyles. Grades 10 and up.
Bear (35 min. Eyewitness) This film is all about the nature and legends of the almighty bear. Grades 5 and up.
Bear Cubs, Baby Ducks, and Kooky Kookaburras (33 min. Geo Kids) This film features baby animals, count-to-ten, and stingrays. Grades Pre-K.
Beavers (31 min. Imax) This film follows a family of beavers as they live and grow in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Grades K and up.
The Biggest Bears! (22 min. Skyriver Films) Discover the mighty Alaska grizzly and take a romp through some of the wildest places in The Last Frontiers. Grades 2 - 8.
Bird (35 min. Eyewitness) Explores the variety of sizes, shapes, and habitats of birds. Grade 5 and up.
Bugs (30 min. Reading Rainbow) Shows where insects live, what they're good for, how they grow, and more. Grades K - 3.
Butterflies: Explore the fascinating world of these beautiful insects! (15 min. Ida Cason Callaway Foundation) Discover the differences between butterflies and moths, learn how colorful patterns on butterfly wings are created, and follow the action as a zebra long wing butterfly develops from a tiny egg into an adult. Grades K - 6.
Butterfly and Moth (35 min. Eyewitness) See how caterpillars become butterflies and much more! Grade 5 and up.
Cat (35 min. Eyewitness) This film investigates feline evolution, anatomy, habitat, behavior and more! Grade 5 and up.
Chickens Aren't the Only Ones (30 min. Reading Rainbow) This film features animals that lay eggs. Grades K - 3.
Chomping on Bugs, Swimming Sea Slugs, and Stuff that Makes Animals Special (35 min. Geo Kids) This film features chameleons, turtles, cheetahs, zebras, and bush babies. Grades Pre-K.
Classification: The Order of Things (15 min. 3-2-1 Classroom Contact) Learn to classify animals and plants according to common traits in order to see how species are related. Grades 3 - 6.
Cool Cats, Raindrops, and Things that Live in Holes (33 min. Geo Kids) This film features animals that live in holes, animals at water holes, and raindrops. Grades Pre-K.
Creatures Great and Small (60 min. Smithsonian) This film features dinosaurs and insects. Grades K - 6.
A Day with the Bears (30 min. Warner Home Video) Explore the fascinating world of bears and take a closer look at the different types of bears, their habitats, and where they live. Grades Pre-K - 2.
Desert (35 min. Eyewitness) See the creatures that inhabit the desert and how they capture and conserve water. Grade 5 and up.
Desert Animals: See How They Grow (30 min.) A tarantula, gerbil, tortoise, and gecko explain how they grow in the desert. Grades Pre-K.
Dinosaurs/Reptiles (47 min. Bill Nye) 2 parts. Bill Nye answers questions like "How many years did dinosaurs survive?" and "What kind of skin do reptiles have?" Grades 3 - 8.
Dog (35 min. Eyewitness) Discover what gives dogs their unique traits. Grade 5 and up.
Elephant (35 min. Eyewitness) This film explores the elephant's history and relationship with humankind. Grades 5 and up.
Extinction (30 min. Earth at Risk) This film shows real environmental projects, expert interviews and imaginative graphics to explore extinction. Grades 5 - 12.
Farm Animals: See How They Grow (30 min.) Young chickens, pigs, calves, and lambs explore the barnyard and grow up. Grades Pre-K.
Farming/Life Cycles (52 min. Bill Nye) 2 parts. Part 1: Farmer Bill discovers why farmers really dig their soil, and Chris Ballew, of the rock group Presidents of the United States of America, sings a special version of the band's hit, "Peaches." Part 2: Bill explains life cycles and shows us why many different living things have similar life cycles. Grades 3 - 8.
Farmyard Friends (45 min. Really Wild Animals) The Dudley Moore-voiced animated globe, Spin, teaches kids all about the animals you'd find down on the farm. From National Geographic Kids Video. Grades K - 3.
Food Chains: Eat and Be Eaten (15 min. Children's Television Workshop) All animals—including humans—depend on plants because there's a plant at the beginning of every food chain. For example, sea urchins thrive on kelp, a water plant, and in turn sea urchins are food for sea otters. Find out how nature keeps this delicate balance. Grades K - 6.
Forest Animals: See How They Grow (30 min. Eyewitness) Watch how owls, mice, ants and chipmunks grow. Grades Pre-K.
GeoKids: Flying, Trying, and Honking Around (33 min. National Geographic Kids Video) Join Sunny, Bobby, and Balzac—three amazing lifelike animal characters—in learning about many different kinds of birds. Grades Pre-K.
Gila Monsters Meet You at the Airport (30 min. Reading Rainbow) Gila monsters and the Arizona desert. Grades K - 3.
Gorillas (60 min. Time-Life) In a rare and closeup look at the largest of all primates, this film enters the mist-shrouded world of the mountain gorilla. Grades 4 and up.
Great Bears of Alaska (50 min. Discovery Channel) This film features live-action footage of bear behavior including searching for food, caring for young, and mating. Narrated by James Earl Jones. Grades 5 and up.
Gregory the Terrible Eater (30 min. Reading Rainbow) LeVar visits a zoo and learns about animals' eating habits. Grades K - 3.
The Grizzlies (60 min. National Geographic) Travel from Alaska's Brooks Range to Wyoming's Yellowstone National Park for a fascinating portrait of this powerful, intelligent, and extremely aggressive creature in The Grizzlies. Grades 6 and up.
Horse (35 min. Eyewitness) Host Martin Sheen examines the ancient link between the horse and civilized man and the reasons why the equestrian mind may not be as tamed as we might like to think. Grades 2 - 6.
Hot Dogs and Cool Cats (45 min. Really Wild Animals) This film features wild and domesticated dogs and cats. Grades K - 3.
Human Transportation/Animal Locomotion (47 min. Bill Nye) 2 parts. Bill Nye answers questions like "What is transportation?" and "How do humans move around?" Grades 3 - 8.
In the Company of Wolves (35 min. In the Wild) Timothy Dalton travels 5,000 miles to encounter wolves in their natural habitats. Grades 7 and up.
Innate and Learned Behavior: How Do They Know That? (15 min. 3-2-1 Classroom Contact) Some animal behavior is innate—the animal is born already knowing how to do it—and some animal behavior is learned. Grades 3 - 6.
Insect (35 min. Eyewitness) Insect zooms in on a world of creatures that are industrious, sociable, and environmentally useful, but that are nevertheless avoided and ignored. Here, you can safely examine the wonders of the insect through macro-photography and startling 3-D graphics that reveal the true importance of these amazing life forms. Grades 2 - 6.
Insects/Germs (47 min. Bill Nye) 2 parts. Part 1: Bill Nye explores the mysterious world of insects and talks to special guest Queen Latifah, who's abuzz about her other favorite queens: bees. The lab kids go exploring at an insectarium and go digging for insect fossils. Part 2: Bill's knowledge on the subject of germs is positively contagious! Using foam models, the Science Guy illustrates the various types of germs and how they function. Grades 3 - 8.
Insects: Facts and Folklore (27 min. Discovery Channel) Insect Fact and Folklore uses the relationship humans have established with insects in to show the important role insects play in the lives of many humans. Grades 6 - 12.
Into the Wild: Discovering Endangered Animals (40 min. National Wildlife Federation) Three segments chronicle efforts to help endangered species: introduction leads into whooping cranes, red wolves, whales, plus a wrap-up on endangered species and what kids can do to help. Grades 3 - 5.
Introduction to Beekeeping (20 min. Control Data) This program on bee keeping instruction is aimed at beginners who wish to progress with their pastime. Grades 9 and up.
Is This a House for a Hermit Crab? (30 min. Reading Rainbow) When Hermit Crab outgrows his house, he ventures out to find a new one. Grades K - 3.
Jane Goodall’s Wild Chimpanzees This IMAX film shows Jane Goodall's extraordinary trip deep into Tanzania and across four decades of research to experience the world of the chimpanzee. Grades 4 and up.
Jungle Animals: See How They Grow (30 min. Sony/Eyewitness) Narrated by Johnny Morris, See How They Grow is a delightful series for young children, introducing them to natural history. This video dramatizes the lives of four jungle animals — scorpion, alligator, land snail and tiger — from birth to adulthood. Grades Pre-K.
The Life of Birds (Volumes 1-5) (100 min. BBC) David Attenborough leads us through the history of birds, including their evolution and adaptation. Grades 9 and up.
Life Cycle of the Honey Bee (12 min. National Geographic) A short documentary on the life of a honey bee from egg to death. Grades 2 and up.
Life Cycle of the Honey Bee (30 min. Reading Rainbow) This film includes a visit to a beekeeper. Grades K - 3.
Little Creatures Who Run the World (60 min. Nova) This film about ants is hosted by E.O. Wilson. Grades 6 and up.
The Magic School Bus: Butterflies! (30 min. Scholastic) Ms. Frizzle takes the class on a field trip to Butterfly Bog where they discover camouflage and other butterfly tricks of deception. Grades K - 4.
The Magic School Bus: Creepy Crawly Fun! (90 min. Scholastic) 3 episodes. "Inside the Haunted House" explores sound. "Going Batty" explores nocturnal animals. "Spins a Web" explores spiders. Grades K - 4.
The Magic School Bus Gets Ants in Its Pants (30 min. Scholastic) The class visits the inside of an anthill to observe the ants at close range and discovers that each ant performs a vital job for the survival of the colony. Grades K - 4.
The Magic School Bus: Going Batty/Inside the Haunted House (60 min. Scholastic) 2 episodes. "Going Batty" explores nocturnal animals. "Inside the Haunted House" explores sound. Grades K - 4.
The Magic School Bus Hops Home (30 min. Scholastic) This film explores frogs and animal habitats. Grades K - 4.
The Magic School Bus: In a Beehive (30 min. Scholastic) Ms. Frizzle turns her class into bees and shows them a beehive up close and personal. Grades K - 4.
The Magic School Bus Spins a Web (30 min. Scholastic) This film explores spiders. Grades K - 4.
Mammal (35 min. Eyewitness) Mammal reveals the most amazing facts and folklore about our favorite furry animals. Towering or tiny, ferocious or friendly, mammals trot, hop, swim, and soar. Meet the creatures that make up this huge and varied family. Grades 5 - Adult.
Mammals/Birds (47 min. Bill Nye) 2 parts. They're (sometimes) big, they're hairy, and they're warm-blooded. From human being to moose and from cats to rats, Bill Nye the Science Guy explains what it takes to be in the mammal family. Part 2: Fly the coop with Bill Nye the Science Guy as he explores his fascination with birds. Bill shows us how these feathery friends stay airborne, where they live, and what they eat. Grades 3 - 8.
Microsmos (75 min. Miramax) Take a look at the a spectacular hidden world where you will witness an army of worker ants race to stock their larder and the amazing transformation from caterpillar to butterfly. Grades K and up.
The Milk Makers (30 min. Reading Rainbow) How milk travels from a dairy cow to the supermarket. Grades K - 3.
Monster (35 min. Eyewitness) This film explores real animals that may have inspired mythical creatures. Grades 2 - 6.
The Mystery of the Animal Pathfinders (58 min. WGBH) This film explores migration. Grades 4 and up.
The National Zoo (50 min. Smithsonian) Viewers will travel behind the scenes of the National Zoo. The trip includes an up-close visit with the zoo's pandas as well as a look at the hospital, food preparation center, and research facility. Grades K - 6.
Once There Was A Tree (30 min. Reading Rainbow) An old stump attracts many living creatures. Grades K - 3.
Penguin World (45 min. Smithsonian Institution) Witness the spectrum of penguins from four-pound Fairies to ninety-pound Emperors. Grades 2 and up.
Plant or Animal (15 min. National Geographic) This film explores similarities and differences between the plant and animal kingdoms. Grades K - 3.
Polar Bear Alert (59 min. National Geographic) Churchill, Manitoba, "the polar bear capital of the world," is the setting for this 1982 documentary on one of nature's most popular creatures. But as cute and lovable as polar bears may seem, they also have a dangerous side. Grades 7 and up.
Polar Prowl (45 min. Really Wild Animals) Get ready for chills and thrills when you travel to the icy Arctic and Antarctic with Spin, National Geographic's animated globe-on-the-go! Grades K - 3.
Pond and River (35 min. Eyewitness) Pond and River takes you on a twisting journey down the great rivers of the world, pausing to visit the thriving realm of the freshwater pond. Travel upstream to find civilization's source, then down again to see the key to our very survival. Grades 2 - 6.
Pond Animals: See How They Grow (30 min. Eyewitness) Watch how dragonflies, frogs, ducks, and salamanders grow. Grades Pre-K.
Raccoons and Ripe Corn (30 min. Reading Rainbow) This film tells you how to be a wildlife detective. Grades K - 3.
Rain Forest (55 min. National Geographic) Through some inventive camera work, the directors follow enthusiastic researchers to the tops of rainforest trees (known as the rainforest canopy), where more than half of the Earth's species reside. Grades 5 - Adult.
Reflections on Elephants (60 min. National Geographic) The lives of elephants have much in common with our own: powerful yet tender family bonds, remarkable communication abilities, and a surprising ability to cooperate whenever necessary. Grades 4 and up.
Reptile (35 min. Eyewitness) Reptile reveals the alien world of these often misunderstood cold-blooded vertebrates, uncovering reptilian facts that are stranger than fiction. From hot, steamy swamps to dry-as-bone deserts, travel the world in search of these amazing animals. Grades 2 - 6.
Reptiles and Amphibians (60 min. National Geographic) With its trademark legacy of unearthing the wild and the bizarre, National Geographic takes the viewer into the exotic world of reptiles and amphibians, giving viewers a glimpse into the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. Grades 4 and up.
Reptiles and Insects: Leaping Lizards (50 min. Bill Nye) The way-hip science guy bugs out in segments on lizards — including one with a tongue more than twice its body length — and insects such as swarming bees, crickets, ants and more. Grades 3 - 8.
Salamander Room (30 min. Reading Rainbow) A boy finds a salamander and thinks of how to make it a perfect home. This film also features a visit to the rainforest exhibit at the Bronx Zoo. Grades K - 3.
Spiders/Flowers (47 min. Bill Nye) 2 parts. Part 1: The Science Guy demystifies the most misunderstood creature, the spider. He'll cure the most intense case of arachnophobia by showing how cool spiders really are. Part 2: The Science Guy, with the help of guest Drew Barrymore, shows that flowers are more than just pretty faces. They make seeds, play a key role in pollination, and help plants to reproduce. Grades 3 - 8.
Stellaluna (30 min. Reading Rainbow) A baby bat is raised by a bird until she is reunited with her mother. Grades K - 3.
Strange Creatures of the Night (60 min. National Geographic) This educational video is ideal for learning about the fascinating creatures that live at night. Grades 4 and up.
Summer (30 min. Reading Rainbow) Baby animals spend the summer growing, playing and learning. Grades K - 3.
Survival (35 min. Eyewitness) Survival is a theme that runs throughout the biological world. Video reveals how life forms struggle for survival, whether they are prey or predator. Learn that it is not necessarily the fastest, strongest, biggest or even smartest who survive. Grades 2 - 6.
A Swamp Ecosystem (23 min. National Geographic) A look at the biological succession of one particular swamp ecosystem, the freshwater Okefenokee swamp. Grades 4 and up.
Tadpoles, Dragonflies, and Caterpillar's Big Change (33 min. Geo Kids) This film explores metamorphosis. Grades Pre-K.
Tales from the Hive (60 min. WGBH/NOVA) Specially developed macro camera lenses are used to portray a year in the life of a working bee colony. Grades 4 and up.
Those Wonderful Dogs (60 min. National Geographic) This tribute to man's best friend presents dogs that herd sheep, pull wheelchairs, and perform duties on the battlefield. Once called "one of God's noblest beasts," this documentary portrays the human-canine connection that makes these animals so special. Grades 6 and up.
Totally Tropical Rain Forest (45 min. Really Wild Animals) Take a totally tropical trip to the rain forest and meet spotted jaguars, colorful poison-arrow frogs, slow-moving sloths, and loud-mouthed howler monkeys. Grades K - 3.
Tree Animals: See How They Grow (30 min. Eyewitness) This educational tape for pre-schoolers explains tree-dwelling animals and how they develop from infancy. Grades Pre-K.
The Ultimate Guide: Birds of Prey (50 min. Discovery Channel) Birds of prey are born for the hunt —every part of their anatomy, from eyes to talons, works together to create an efficient instrument of pursuit and capture. Take flight with some of nature’s most accomplished predators. Grades 6 - 12.
The Ultimate Guide: Snakes (27 min. Discovery Channel) This video presents the animal that ranks as one of the most feared and revered species on Earth: the snake. It investigates the many varieties of snakes, from king cobras, to garter snakes, to giant anacondas. With first-rate close-up photography and computer animations, this program displays the behavior of the snake. Grades 6 - 12.
Webs of Intrigue (45 min. National Geographic) This film discusses spiders. Grades 4 and up.
White Wolf (60 min. National Geographic) In the harsh northern reaches of Canada's Ellesmere Island, elusive arctic wolves share their secrets with two patient observers. Grades 6 and up.
Wild Animals: See How They Grow (30 min. Eyewitness) Kids learn how foxes, pheasants, rabbits, and snakes grow up and survive in their wild and ever-changing habitats. Grades Pre-K - 2.
Wild Survivor: Camouflage and Mimicry (45 min. National Geographic) Discover the wondrous array of defenses and deceptions deployed by creatures in the wild. Grades 2 and up.
Wolves At Our Door (52 min. Discovery Channel) Wolves at Our Door, the sequel to Wolf: Return of a Legend, explores these beautiful animals as they live in America's Northwest. Grades 6 - 12.
Wonders Down Under (46 min. Really Wild Animals) This film discusses Australian animals. Grades K - 3.
A World Alive (25 min. Sea Studios) This film explores the birth, feeding, movement and mating of various animals. Grades 4 and up.
Yellowstone: Realm of the Coyote (60 min. National Geographic) When a young coyote is cast out by his pack, he must learn to survive in a wilderness both beautiful and treacherous: Yellowstone National Park. Grades 6 and up.
Astronomy and Aeronautics
2001: A Space Odyssey (148 min. Turner Entertainment) 2001: A Space Odyssey is a dazzling, Academy-Award-winning visual achievement directed by Stanley Kubrick. To begin his voyage into the future, Kubrick visits our prehistoric ape-ancestry past, then leaps into colonized space. Let the awe and mystery of a journey unlike any other begin. Grades 9 and up.
All About the Moon (23 min. Schlessinger/Space Science for Children) In this film viewers discover why the moon looks different every night, how it looks up close, and what it is like to walk on the moon. Grades K - 4.
All About the Sun (23 min. Schlessinger/Space Science for Children) In this film viewers learn why the sun is so important to us—how it provides life-giving light and heat, how it is responsible for our seasons and weather, and why it is the primary source of energy on earth. Grades K - 4.
Asteroids, Deadly Impact (60 min. National Geographic) Learn more about these "stray bullets" that streak through the skies. Grades 9 and up.
Astronomy (The Really Big World of Astronomy) pts. 1&2 (170 min. Cerebellum/Standard Deviants) 2 Videos. A self-paced study guide to introductory astronomy. Grades 9.
Astronomy 101 (25 min. Mazon Productions) Join Michela and her mother as they show the viewer how they explore the night sky together. Grades 3.
Aurora: Rivers of Light in the Sky (40 min. Skyriver Films) This video explores the myths, legends, and science behind the mystery of the northern lights. Grade 5 and up.
Black Holes (52 min. New River Media) Contains interviews with many prominent black hole scientists and animations. Grades 7 - 9 .
Black Holes, the Ultimate Abyss (52 min. Discovery Channel) Listen as Stephen Hawking, aided by 3-D animation, explains the concept of space-time and how black holes are formed. Allow yourself to be drawn to the edge of a black hole — the event horizon — and imagine what life would be like inside. Grades 6 - 12.
Blue Planet (42 min. Smithsonian/IMAX) Filmed from space shuttle missions, this film reveals forces affecting Earth's ecological balance. Grades 4 and up.
Comets and Asteroids (52 min. National Geographic) Asteroids, comets and other cosmic debris have also had a fundamental impact on the development of planet Earth and the life on it, by bombarding it constantly at first, and periodically since. Grades 5 - 9.
Comets and Meteors/Evolution (52 min. Bill Nye) 2 parts. Part 1: More than just high-speed space chunks, comets and meteors carry important information about the history of our Universe. Part 2: Bill Nye compares primordial to present when he dabbles with Darwin and looks at his genes in this evolutionary episode. Grades 3 - 8.
Cosmos (7 videocassettes, 780 min. Cosmos Studios) In the course of 13 one-hour episodes, Carl Sagan's Cosmos spans its own galaxy of topics to serve Sagan's theme; each segment deepens our understanding of how we got from there (simple microbes in the primordial mud) to here (space-faring civilization in the 21st century). In his "ship of the imagination," Sagan guides us to the farthest reaches of space and takes us back into the history of scientific inquiry, from the ancient library of Alexandria to the NASA probes of our neighboring planets. Upon this vast canvas Sagan presents the "cosmic calendar," placing the 15-billion-year history of the universe into an accessible one-year framework, then filling it with a stunning chronology of events, both interstellar and Earth-bound. Grades 9 and up.
Daredevils of the Sky (60 min. Nova) Explore the history of aerobatic flight, from the Wright brothers to today's death-defying feats. Grades 4 and up.
Destination Mars (51 min. Discovery Channel) An examination of the feasibility of making the journey to Mars from the physical training through the dangers of interplanetary travel to the difficult landing on the surface of Mars itself. Grades 6 - 12.
Destiny in Space (43 min. Imax/Smithsonian Institution) In this film viewers watch as astronauts work to repair the Hubble Space Telescope and board a satellite. Grades 6 and up.
Destination Space (90 min. National Geographic) Cross the threshold of the final frontier as mankind embarks on the greatest adventure of all time: space travel. From heroic space pioneers to contemporary cliff-hanger missions, it's a thrilling look at humanity's quest to conquer space. This video also includes the short feature "A View of Mars." Grades 4 and up.
The Dream is Alive: A Window Seat on the Space Shuttle (37 min. IMAX) Walter Cronkite narrates this journey about the space shuttle. Share the astronauts' experience of working, eating, and sleeping in zero gravity. Look back at our magnificent Earth, witness an exciting satellite repair, and the historic walk in space by an American woman. Grades 4 and up.
Eyes in the Sky (49 min. Discovery Channel) This film discusses satellites. Grades 6 - 12.
Flight (35 min. Eyewitness) Birds and insects (and people, too) who have harnessed the ability to fly are detailed in this educational video. Animation and music underscore an exploration of the mechanics — and joys — of flight. Grades 2 - 6.
For All Mankind (80 min. National Geographic) This film tells the story of the first manned flights to the moon. Grades 6 and up.
From Here to Infinity: The Ultimate Voyage (43 min. Paramount) Hosted by Patrick Stewart, this film is a journey through the cosmos and beyond. Grades 6 and up.
From the Earth to the Moon: Parts 3 - 11 (Each 56 min. HBO) This film follows the course of the great American dream as it becomes reality through the voyages of the Apollo astronauts in their mission to place a man on the moon. Grades 7 and up.
Gravity and Weightlessness: Measuring G's (15 min. Children's Television Workshop) An easy to understand introduction to gravity and free-falling objects. Grades 3 - 6.
Hot-air Henry (30 min. Reading Rainbow) This film explores hot-air balloons. Grades K - 3.
Living and Working in Space: The Countdown has Begun (58 min. PBS Video) This one-hour special features dozens of space professionals, from astronauts and life systems engineers to space suit designers, interior decorators, and the "Lunar Lettuce Man." Grades 6 and up.
The Magic School Bus Gets Lost in Space (30 min. Scholastic) Arnold's know-it-all cousin Janet drives the whole class crazy when she joins Ms. Frizzle's class on a field trip and gets them lost in outer space! But when the navigational system breaks down, and Ms. Frizzle "accidentally" gets lost in the solar system, Janet may be the only one with enough knowledge to save them. Grades K - 4.
The Magic School Bus: Out of This World (30 min. Scholastic) This film is a crash course in asteroids and meteors. Grades K - 4.
The Magic School Bus: Taking Flight (30 min. KidVision) In the TV show "Taking Flight," the remote control of Tim's model airplane is accidentally broken. Wanda and the class find themselves inside the plane learning what it's really like to fly it. Grades K - 4.
Mission Mars Series (90 min. MCET) This film is hosted by the Museum of Science's Noreen Grice. Recorded at MCET Fall 1999. Grades 7 and up.
Moon/Outer Space (47 min. Bill Nye) 2 parts. Part 1: Explore the mysteries of the Moon. Part 2: Bill Nye talks about Outer Space -- planets, stars, galaxies, and the universe. Grades 3 - 8.
Moon Race: The History of Apollo, Vol. 1-4 (300 min. Columbia River Entertainment) A set of documentaries made by NASA about the Apollo Moon missions, and the Apollo-Soyuz mission, shortly after they occurred. Grades 6 and up.
Mysteries of the Universe (120 min. Science Odyssey) This film explores the twin revolutions in physics and astronomy, as well as telescopes, pulsars, black holes, and atoms. Grades 9 and up.
Our Solar System/Nuestro Sistema Solar (5 min. University of Arizona) This film features animation along with a catchy tune to help children remember the line-up of the planets. Open captioned. Grades K - 3.
Outer Space: Way Out There! (49 min. Bill Nye) Bill Nye gives students the inside scoop on planets, stars, galaxies, and the universe. Grades 3 - 8.
People and Space (40 min. The Learning Channel) This film explores how astronauts train for and live in space. Grades K - 5.
Planets (35 min. Eyewitness) Planets journeys through space and time, witnessing the birth of the Sun and traveling to the outer limits of the solar system Grades 2 - 6.
Rescue Mission in Space: The Hubble Space Telescope (60 min. Nova) This film explores the repair of the Hubble Telescope. Grades 9 and up.
The Solar System (22 min. Discovery Channel) Discover what scientists have learned since manned space exploration began. Is there life on Mars? What's under Jupiter's gas storms? Grades 6 - 12.
Space Exploration/Ocean Exploration (47 min. Bill Nye) 2 parts. Part 1: Join Bill as he explores the "final frontier" and shows the tools humans invent to explore space. Part 2: Exploring the ocean helps us to better understand the Earth. Get a glimpse of some of the special tools required for ocean exploration and find out why studying the ocean is so crucial to life on land. Grades 3 - 8.
Stationed in the Stars (60 min. NOVA) In this film explore the construction and fate of the International Space Station. Adult.
Sun, Earth, Moon (250 min. National Geographic) The interrelationships between the Sun, Moon, and Earth cause the changing of the tides, the phases of the Moon, seasons, and lunar and solar eclipses. Grades 3 - 6.
The Sun/The Planets (47 min. Bill Nye) 2 parts. Part 1: Bill sheds light on solar flares, eclipses, sunspots, fusion, and solar energy, and visits an enormous solar energy farm outside Sacramento, California, to demonstrate how the Sun is the source of energy Part 2: Bill goes planet gazing and takes a serious look at Jupiter's features, Earth's elliptical orbit, and the distances between planets. Grades 3 - 8.
Technologies R Us/Blips, Black Holes, and the Nobel Prize (28 min. Science Odyssey Short Trips) 2 episodes. This film explores how technologies have shaped our lives and raised unexpected questions. Also included is the unfolding mystery of strange blips on the recording charts of a giant telescope. Grades 4 and up.
To Fly! (27 min. Conoco) This film explores the history of flight from hot-air balloons to rockets. Grades 4 and up.
Toys in Space (17 min. NASA) International Space Station crewmembers and students back on Earth co-investigate the behavior of toys in space. Grades 5 - 12.
Understanding Space Travel (52 min. Discovery Channel) An ambitious program covering the whole of space travel — from its early history to interstellar travel. Each subject gets only a few minutes, but there's some serious discussion of space tourism. Grades 6 - 12.
Understanding the Universe (60 min. Discovery Channel) ) Join astronomers and astrophysicists as they probe light years beyond the Milky Way. Grades 6 - 12.
Biology
Accidents of Creation (55 min. Secret of Life) This film discusses changes through mutations and origins of new species. Grades 7 and up.
All About Blood and the Heart (Human Body for Children) (23 min. Schlessinger) Introduces young viewers to the circulatory system. Grades K - 4.
All About the Human Life Cycle ( Human Body for Children) (23 min. Schessinger) Students discover that there are stages that all of us pass through as we grow: birth, infancy, childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Grades K - 4.
All About Bones & Muscles (Human Body for Children) (23 min. Schlessinger) This film gives young viewers a close-up look at two key systems of the human body: bones and muscles. Grades K - 4.
All About Health & Hygiene ( Human Body for Children) (23 min. Schessinger) Students will explore how and why people get sick, and what they can do to help keep themselves strong and healthy. Grades K - 4.
All About Nutrition & Exercise (Human Body for Children) (23 min. Schlessinger) Kids learn that the nutrients in the food we eat are what our bodies need to grow and stay healthy. Grades K - 4.
All About the Brain (Human Body for Children) (23 min. Schlessinger) Learn how the brain controls everything you do—from breathing, to feeling, to learning and playing. Grades K - 4.
All About the Senses (Human Body for Children) (23 min. Schlessinger) Teaches children about the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste. Grades K - 4.
Anatomy (The Anatomically Correct World of Anatomy) pt. 1 & 2 (248 min. Cerebellum/Standard Deviants) 2 videos. A self-paced video guide to introductory anatomy. Grades 9.
Animal Adaptations (Animal Life in Action) (23 min. Schlessinger) Discover the various adaptations that different species have undergone. Grades 5 - 8.
Birth, Sex and Death (60 min. Secret of Life) It begins by examining how regulatory genes govern cell differentiation and organ development, and then examines the role genes play in gender and aging processes. Grades 9 and up.
Bones and Muscles/Respiration (47 min. Bill Nye) 2 parts. Part 1: Bill bones up on the things that give the body its shape and movement. He muscles in to give more than just the bare bones about X-rays, the healing of broken bones, bone marrow, and the body's joints. Part 2: Bill Nye the Science Guy gets aerobic about the importance of respiration when he jogs, bikes, swims, and scuba dives. Grades 3 - 8.
Brain/Communication (47 min. Bill Nye) Two parts. Grades 3 - 6.
Brainstormers (60 min. Discovery Channel) Explore the new technology that helps doctors and scientists understand how the brain works. What are the differences between men's and women's brains? Is there a link between creativity and mental illness? Grades 6 - 12.
Children by Design (55 min. Secret of Life) This film explores how science can influence the outcome of conception's genetic lottery. Grades 9 and up.
Circulatory & Respiratory Systems (23 min. Schlessinger Media/Human Body in Action) In this film viewers learn how these two vital systems work together, take a close-up look at the components of our blood, and explore how our blood is the body's pick-up and delivery system. Grades 5 - 8.
Circulatory and Respiratory Systems (20 min. National Geographic) Film shows how these systems work together to gather and distribute oxygen and nutrients to the body. Grades 4 - 6.
The Clone Age (52 min. Discovery Channel) This film discusses the history and possible future of cloning, and its ethical dilemmas. Grades 6 - 12.
Digestion/Blood and Circulation (47 min. Bill Nye) 2 parts. Part 1: Host Bill Nye explains to viewers how the body's digestive system is like a fine-tuned machine that turns food into energy. Bill demonstrates the process with a steam engine that runs on cornflakes. Part 2: Bill Nye becomes a real heartthrob when he talks about that not-so-wimpy organ, the heart. Valves, blood cells, and the circulatory system work together to pump it up...the heart, that is. Grades 3 - 8.
Digestive System (17 min. National Geographic) Everything your students ever wanted to know about the digestive system -- ingestion, digestion, absorption, and elimination, and the functions of the associated glands and organs -- displayed with electric microscope and sophisticated imaging techniques. Grades 4 - 6.
Discovering the Cell (30 min. National Geographic) An inside look at the cell and its parts. Grades 6 - 8.
DNA: The Secret of Life (32 min. Windfall Films) This film chronicles James Watson and Francis Crick's discovery of the double helix in 1953. Grades 9 and up.
Eyeball/Heart (47 min. Bill Nye) 2 parts. Part 1: Bill Nye focuses his attention on the body's window to the world: the eyeball. Bill also interviews a seeing-eye dog trainer and a virtual reality designer, and demonstrates how a 3-D movie works. Part 2: Bill Nye checks out this important muscular pump's function in the body, by pulling nine "Gs" with the United States Navy's Blue Angels and chatting with Seattle Mariner Edgar Martinez. Grades 3 - 8.
Forensics/Genes (47 min. Bill Nye) 2 parts. Part 1: Join the Science Guy at the scene of the crime as he explores the world of forensic science. Learn how detectives reconstruct events from the past using bloodhounds, fingerprints, and DNA. Part 2: Join Bill as he explores the chromosomal world of DNA. Grades 3 - 8.
Genetics (26 min. Discovery Channel) How much of who we are is based on our genes? Grades 6 - 12.
Germs Make Me Sick! (30 min. Reading Rainbow) We share our world with millions of micro-organisms. This video explains what germs are, how bacteria and viruses affect the human body, and how the body fights against them. Grades K - 3.
Going With the Flow (Heart and Lungs) (16 min. Mind Your Own Body) This film examines how behavior habits, like smoking, can damage the body. Grades 6 - 8.
Great Transformations (Evolution) (60 min. WGBH) Discover some of evolution's most important changes, including the development of the four-limbed body plan and the emergence of humans. Grades 7 and up.
The Heart (8 min. Totally Gross Anatomy) The statistics of the body can be awe-inspiring: the heart beats more than 100,000 times each day, efficiently moving blood from the heart through a network of arteries, veins, and capillaries. Grades 3 - 6.
Hidden Kingdoms: The World of Microbes (12 min. New York Hall of Science) Short film clips featuring microbes.
How to Make and Apple Pie and See the World (30 min. Reading Rainbow) This film explores the science of cooking and nutrition. Grades K - 3.
Human Body: The Inside Scoop (49 min. Bill Nye) Take a tour of the human body in two episodes with Bill Nye the Science Guy: "Skin" and "Blood-Circulation." Grades 3 - 8.
Human Machine (35 min. Eyewitness) Combining actual video footage and still photography with the latest in animation and 3-D graphics, this incredibly detailed virtual tour then covers all five senses, including hearing, which in turn gives us balance and the ability to walk upright — a defining characteristic of being human. Grades 2 - 6.
Human Nutrition (The Nutty, Nougat-Filled World of Human Nutrition) (90 min. Cerebellum/Standard Deviants) This film is a video study guide to introductory nutrition. Grades 9.
Incredible Human Machine (60 min. National Geographic) A two-hour journey through an ordinary, and extraordinary, day in the life of the human machine. With stunning HD footage, radical scientific advances and powerful firsthand accounts, NGC plunges deep into the routine marvels of the human body. Grades 7 and up.
Insect/Germs (47 min. Bill Nye) 2 parts. Part 1: Bill Nye explores the mysterious world of insects and talks to special guest Queen Latifah, who's abuzz about her other favorite queens...Bees. Part 2: Bill's knowledge on the subject of germs is positively contagious! The Science Guy illustrates the various types of germs and how they function. Grades 3 - 8.
In Search of Ourselves (120 min. Science Odyssey) This film explores what has been learned about human behavior over the past 100 years. Grades college - up.
Life (35 min. Eyewitness) ) Follow the development of single-celled creatures through the age of the dinosaurs, and on to the complex variety of plants and animals that exist today. Grades 2 - 6.
Listen! Hear! (15 min. National Geographic) This film explores what causes sounds, how the brain receives and recognizes sounds, and what effect sounds have on the individual. It also discusses the structures of the ear and uses animation to show how sound waves travel into the ears. Grades 2 and up.
The Living Body: Aging (26 min. Films for the Humanities and Sciences) This film covers the physical process of aging, examining various body systems to determine how and why they change as they age. It also explains that not all the changes associated with aging are inevitable and some changes in the aging body can be slowed down or reversed. Grades 9 and up.
The Lungs (8 min. Totally Gross Anatomy) Explore the form and function of the lungs. Grades 3 - 6.
The Magic School Bus Flexes Its Muscles (30 min. Scholastic) This film explores robots and the human body. Grades K - 4.
The Magic School Bus: For Lunch (30 min. KidVision) This film explores digestion. Grades K - 4.
The Magic School Bus: Inside Ralphie (30 min. Scholastic) This film explores germs and illness. Grades K - 4.
Matter of Taste (14 min. National Geographic) A look at one of the five senses. Grades 3 - 6.
Matters of Life and Death (120 min. Science Odyssey) This film discusses the history of breakthroughs in medicine. Grades college and up.
The Mismeasure of Me/The Real Dirt on Discovery (28 min. Science Odyssey Short Trips) 2 parts. Part one asks, “How fair are tests?” Part two explores Fleming's accidental discovery of penicillin. Grades 7 and up.
Muscular and Skeletal Systems (20 min. National Geographic) They work hand in hand to provide humans with their form, strength, and agility. Grades 3 - 6.
Mystery of the Senses: Smell (10 min. WGBH) “Smell” samples a huge spectrum of smells, from the world's largest perfumery to sweaty t-shirts. Grades 1 - 6.
Mystery of the Senses: Taste (10 min. WGBH) ) “Taste” savors the miracle of great cooking and eating. Grades 1 - 6.
Mystery of the Senses: Touch (60 min. WGBH) This film looks at our most sensual sense—the one that arguably gives the greatest and most profound pleasure. Massage is one of the most intense forms of touch, and it highlights the beneficial effects of the tactile sense. Grades 1 - 6.
Mystery of the Senses: Vision (14 min. WGBH) “Vision” explores how art and science enhance this, our most magical sense. Grades 1 - 6.
New Food Pyramid (20 min. National Geographic) Introduces the “food guide pyramid” that helps children make wise food choices. Grades K - 3.
Origins (120 min. Science Odyssey) This film explores the history of the planet, the human species, and life itself. Grades 7 and up.
Senses and Sensitivity: Neuronal Alliances for Sight and Sound: Part 1 ( min. Howard Hughes Medical Institute Holiday Lectures on Science) This film explores sensory transduction. Grades 9 and up.
Senses and Sensitivity: Neuronal Alliances for Sight and Sound: Part 2 ( min. Howard Hughes Medical Institute Holiday Lectures on Science) This film explores the science of sight. Grades 9 and up.
Senses and Sensitivity: Neuronal Alliances for Sight and Sound: Part 3 ( min. Howard Hughes Medical Institute Holioday Lectures on Science) This film explores the science of sound and how hearing happens. Grades 9 and up.
Skeletal & Muscular Systems (23 min. Schlessinger Media) In this film viewers learn that bones and muscles work together to protect our bodies and enable them to move; bones are where blood is manufactured, that bones are classified by shape and that there are three types of muscle: skeletal, smooth and cardiac. Grades 5 - 8.
Skeleton (35 min. Eyewitness) Skeleton takes you beneath the surface to reveal the hidden secrets of an incredible variety of skeletal structures, none more complex than our own. See the skeleton — a symbol of our deepest fears, a miracle of engineering — as never before. Grades 2 - 6.
Skin and Bones (14 min. Mind Your Own Body) This video will take a look at the purpose of skin and bones, comparing them to the steel and cladding of a building and to the exoskeleton of insects. Grades 6 - 8.
Skin/Cells (47 min. Bill Nye) 2 parts. Part 1: What's the largest living organ on the human body? Answer: Skin. Bill Nye explains the naked truth. Part 2: Mad scientist Bill Nye "CELLebrates" the basic unit that makes up all living organisms: the cell Grades 3 - 8.
The Special Senses (17 min. Totally Gross Anatomy) Although many students have already been exposed to study of the senses, this series offers an intermediate look. Grades 3 - 6.
The Stomach (17 min. Totally Gross Anatomy) Find out what keeps the stomach from digesting itself and the stomach's role in supplying the body with energy. Grades 3 - 6.
Understanding Bacteria (51 min. Discovery Channel) ) Explore our uneasy relationship with these wily microbes. Grades 6 - 12.
Understanding the Power of Genes (53 min. Discovery Channel) This film discusses the power of genes for cloning, crime solving, and genetically altering animals. Grades 6 - 12.
Understanding Viruses (51 min. Discovery Channel) See how these submicroscopic parasites operate and how your immune system works to defend you. Grades 6 - 12.
What's a Body? (13 min. Mind Your Own Body) Living things live in bodies made up of different parts working together in harmony. The film compares the human body to that of other living organisms, explores the amazing things we can do with our bodies, and shows what makes us different from other animals. Grades 6 - 8.
Who Are You? (60 min. Secrets of Life) This film describes how behavior springs from the complex interaction of genes, culture, experience, and chance. Grades 9 and up.
You Are What You Eat (16 min. Mind Your Own Body) This video will explore healthy eating versus not so healthy eating. It will explain the digestive system, addressing how the food we eat is broken down and absorbed into the bloodstream. Grades 6 - 8.
Biotechnology and Medical Sciences
Bioterror (60 min. Nova/WGBH) Explore the frightening past and lethal future of biological warfare. Adult.
Brainstorm: The Truth About Your Brain on Drugs (60 min. 3-2-1 Classroom Contact) A “3-2-1 Contact Extra” special that seeks to inform children about the effects of substances such as alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, and other illegal drugs on the brain and body. Grades 3 - 6. Grades 3-6.
The Clone Age (52 min. Discovery Channel) Students will understand a basic example of cloning and that there are ethical and practical arguments both in favor of cloning and against cloning. Grades 6 - 12.
Mouse that Laid the Golden Egg (60 min. Secrets of Life) This film examines the promises and dangers of industrial genetic manipulation. Grades 9 and up.
Our Genes, Our Choices: Vol. 1 - 3 (171 min. PBS) A three-part series on PBS, which features Fred Friendly Seminars on genetic testing with an ethical, social, legal, and economic implications. Making Better Babies considers the ethical dilemmas facing individuals and society that grow out of prenatal testing and genetic options that may be available in the future. Genes on Trial scrutinizes social, ethical, and legal issues involving genetic research into undesirable traits such as addiction to alcohol. Who Gets to Know examines privacy issues surrounding genetic testing.
Psychology (The Stimulating World of Psychology) (122 min. Cerebellum/Standard Deviants) This film is a video study guide to introductory psychology. Grades 9 and up.
Science of HIV (30 min. National Science Teachers Association) This video features animations of the complex concepts, interviews with leading scientists and health care workers, compelling stories of adolescents living with HIV, and prevention strategies. Grades 6 - 9.
Who Are You? (60 min. Secrets of Life) This film describes how behavior springs from a complex interaction of genes, culture, experience and chance.
Chemistry
Amazing Materials: Properties of Matter (27 min. Discovery Communications) This film offers a look at composite materials and reveals why two can sometimes be better than one. It includes an exploration of diamonds, gold, graphite, and carbon. Grades 6 - 12.
Changes in Properties of Matter (23 min. Schlessinger Media) Students will learn the difference between chemical and physical changes in this excellent introduction to the changes of matter. Fun, real-life demonstrations and a hands-on activity will help explain these concepts. Grades 5 - 8.
Chemistry (The Super-Charged World of Chemistry) (280 min. Cerebellum/Standard Deviants) 3 videos. Part one shows the eternal struggle between superheroes and villains while reviewing difficult concepts such as percent composition and stoichiometry. Part two reviews thermochemistry, atomic structure, and chemical bonding. Part three reviews VSEPR theory, Kinetic molecular theory and Dalton's law of partial pressures. Grades 9.
Cosmic Alchemy (57 min. Stephen Hawking's Universe) This film discusses what the universe is made of, the creation of the Periodic Table, and the theory of relativity. Adult.
Heat and Chemical Energy (23 min. Schlessinger/Energy in Action) In this film viewers discover how chemical reactions can give off heat energy and how heat can help release the stored chemical energy in fuel. Grades 5 - 8.
Magic School Bus: Ready, Set, Dough (30 min. Scholastic) It's Ms. Frizzle's birthday, and a field trip to the bakery seems perfect — until the bus' shrinker-scope goes on the fritz, and the class experiences chemistry first hand as they get baked in a cake. Grades K - 4.
Organic Chemistry (The Deep-Fried World of Organic Chemistry) (360 min. Cerebellum/Standard Deviants) 3 videos. This film is a video study guide for introductory organic chemistry. Grades 9.
Periodic Table (23 min. Schlessinger Media) This title in the Physical Science in Action Series covers the history of the original periodic table as developed by Dimitri Mendeleev and the arrangement of the modern table including periods, groups, and various families of elements. Grades 5 - 8.
Tracing the Path (35 min. American Chemical Society) This film features African-American contributions to chemistry in the life sciences. Grades 4 and up.
Climate and Weather
After the storm: a citizen's video guide to understanding stormwater (22 min. United States Environmental Protection Agency) In this film three case studies focus on the interconnections between water supply, water quality, and the economic vitality and quality of life in our communities. Grades 9 and up.
All About Climate & Seasons (23 min. Schlessinger/Weather for Children) In this film viewers discover why different regions of the world have different climates and why seasons change. Grades K - 4.
Atmosphere/Flight (47 min. Bill Nye) Part 1: There's something in the air as Bill Nye the Science Guy talks about atmosphere, its five different levels, and how it protects the Earth. Part 2: With the help of his team of young scientists and some common household items, Bill Nye demonstrates how airplanes, birds, and helicopters create differences in air pressure to develop lift for flying. Grades 3 - 8.
Atmosphere: On the Air (25 min. National Geographic) A student call-in radio show answers questions about the atmosphere and weather. Grades 4 - 9.
Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain (29 min. Reading Rainbow) This film features a cumulative rhyme relating how Ki-pat brought rain to the drought-stricken Kapiti Plain. Supplemental material shows how modern meteorologists predict the weather. Hosted by LeVar Burton. From the book by Verna Aardema; pictures by Beatriz Vidal. Grades K - 3.
Climate & Seasons (23 min. Schlessinger/Weather Fundamentals) In this film viewers learn the science behind climate and seasons with ABC's Good Morning America weather forecaster, Spencer Christian, and friend. Grades 4 - 7.
Clouds (23 min. Schlessinger Media/Weather Fundamentals) Viewers learn the science behind clouds with Spencer Christian, ABC's Good Morning America weather forecaster. Grades 4 - 7.
Come a Tide (30 min. Reading Rainbow) One family's adventure during a spring flood. Includes a look at dramatic weather. Grades K - 3.
Cyclone! (60 min. National Geographic) National Geographic chronicles some of the world's most shocking storms with gripping footage and scenes of heart-thumping, real-life drama: roofs ripped from houses, trees snapped like toothpicks, and trucks tossed about like children's toys. Grades 6 and up.
Earth's Seasons/Climates (47 min. Bill Nye) 2 parts. Part 1: Bill Nye the Science Guy goes full tilt to give the reasons for the seasons. His worldly perspective shows why when it's winter in America, it's summer in Australia. Part 2: Bill delivers hot sand from Saudi Arabia and bananas from humid Costa Rica, all to explain how different climates are created and how they effect our planet. Grades 3 - 8.
Fluids/Storms (52 min. Bill Nye) 2 parts. Part 1: What do syrup, milkshakes, and air all have in common? They're all fluids, or stuff that can bend, squish, flow, move, dodge, or mosey out of the way without breaking or separating. Part 2: Storms happen when huge masses of air collide. Disaster or not, storms benefit us. The tropical regions of the Earth would be too hot to inhabit — and the subpolar regions too cold — if we didn't have hurricanes. Grades 3 - 8.
Hurricane! (58 min. WGBH, Nova) Watch highly trained scientists as they routinely — and carefully — fly into the world's most destructive storms to discover what makes them tick and to measure their intensity and probable path. Then hear first-hand accounts of Hurricane Camille, the most devastating storm ever to strike the United States. Grades 7 and up.
Hurricanes and Tornadoes (23 min. Schlessinger Media/Weather Fundamentals) Viewers learn the science behind hurricanes and tornadoes with Spencer Christian, ABC's Good Morning America weather forecaster. Grades 4 - 7.
The Magic School Bus Kicks Up a Storm (30 min. Scholastic) This film explores what makes weather. Grades K - 4.
Metereology (Weather Fundamentals) (23 min. Schlessinger) Learn how metereologists gather and interpret current weather data. Grades 4 - 7.
Natural Disasters (35 min. Eyewitness) This film explores storms, earthquakes, and volcanoes. Grade 2 - 6.
Raging Planet: Tornado (27 min. Discovery Channel) This documentary covers all aspects of tornadoes, from the creation of the storm to the aftermath of an F5. Grades 6 - 12.
Raging Planet: Hurricane (27 min. Discovery Channel) This video shows hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones from decades past to recent years. Grades 6 - 12.
Rain & Snow (Weather Fundamentals) (23 min. Schlessinger) This film provides insights into how rain, snow, sleet, hail, fog, and mist form, as well as how the water cycle constantly "recycles" water around the world. Grades 4 - 7.
Secrets of Tornado (120 min.) In this film viewers learn how to make model tornadoes of any size. Grades 4 and up.
Stormchasers (38 min. IMAX) In this film meteorologists track extreme weather and enter the eye of a hurricane. Grades 7 and up.
Telling the Weather (20 min. National Geographic) This video discusses the science of meteorology and the innovations that have improved weather forecasting. Grades 4 - 9.
Tornado! (58 min. WGBH, Nova) This PBS documentary tells the true story of storm chasers, the men and women who risk their lives to record the power of dangerous tornadoes at close range. Grades 6 and up.
Understanding: Weather (54 min. Discovery Channel) Take a trip to " Tornado Alley" in Norman, Oklahoma. This video reveals the complex mysteries of everyday weather through vivid imagery and demostrates basic concepts of air pressure, solar cycles, and the rain cycle. Grades 7 and up.
Waves/Wind (52 min. Bill Nye) 2 parts. Part 1: Catch a few waves with the Science Guy! Bill explores sound waves, light waves, seismic waves, energy waves, and even "the wave" that's so popular with stadium crowds! Part 2: We'll visit a doctor's office to check out an X-ray machine and find out why those heavy lead jackets are required attire when X-rays are taken. Grades 3 - 8.
Weather (35 min. Eyewitness) Weather takes you on a whirlwind tour of Earth's turbulent atmosphere and reveals the forces that make the day fair or foul. From hurricane, to heat wave, weather is the most closely watched wild card in nature - yet it can still baffle us every day. Grades 2 - 6.
Weather Predictions (50 min. Modern Marvels) Viewers learn about the science of meteorology and its improvement in the last few decades. Focuses on data collection from radar, commercial aircraft, ocean buoys, weather balloons satellites, and humans. Grades 9 and up.
What's Up with the Weather (2 hours, NOVA) Floods, famine, hurricanes, droughts, heat waves. are these natural or man-made disasters? Grades 9 and up.
When Lightning Strikes (17 min. National Geographic) Slow-motion lightning footage and storm chasing. Grades 4 - 9.
Wonders of Weather (60 min. Discovery Channel) Discover how the oceans influence weather. Watch meteorologists as they use the latest technology to track hurricanes. And hop on board with a pack of storm chasers as they pursue a tornado. Grades 6 - 12.
Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life
Death of the Dinosaur (60 min. PBS) This film discusses theories of dinosaur extinction. Grades 4 and up.
Digging Up Dinosaurs (30 min. Reading Rainbow) This film describes various dinosaurs and how scientists uncover and preserve fossils. Grades K - 3.
Dinosaur (35 min. Eyewitness) Dinosaur takes you inside the world of paleontologists and the real-life monsters they study. Experience the process of discovery: the excitement of digging, reconstruction, and the realization of how dinosaurs lived and died. Grades 2 - 6.
Dinosaur Families (30 min. Richard A. Diercks Co/Digging Dinosaurs) In this film viewers take a look at what family life was like for some of the dinosaurs, and how paleontologists find and excavate bones. Grades K - 4.
Dinosaur Hunters (30 min. Museum of the Rockies) This film takes the viewer into the field to learn techniques of digging for dinosaur fossils. Grades 4 and up.
Dinosaurs and Other Creature Features (45 min. Really Wild Animals) This film features dinosaurs and some of their living reptile relatives, as well as "creepy" creatures like spiders and dung beetles. Grades K - 3.
Dinosaurs are Very Big (30 min. Richard A. Diercks Co./Digging Dinosaurs) In this film viewers take a close look at some of the very big dinosaurs including members of the Triceratops, Sarapod and Duckbill families; and investigate some of the remote and unusual places where dinosaur bones are discovered. Grades K - 4.
Dinosaurs of the Gobi (60 min. WGBH/NOVA) In 1992 a group of American scientists unearthed a fossil that added an interesting perspective to the relationship between birds and dinosaurs. They used cladistics to interpret the significance of the fossil. Grades 5 and up.
Dinosaurs/Reptiles (47 min. Bill Nye) 2 parts. Bill Nye answers questions like "How many years did dinosaurs survive?" and "What kind of skin do reptiles have?" Grades 3 - 8.
Dinosaurs: Those Big Boneheads (49 min. Bill Nye) Two episodes in which Bill Nye helps teach kids about dinosaurs and the layers of the Earth's crust. Grades 3 - 8.
Flesh on the Bones (60 min. PBS) This film explores the changing picture of dinosaur behaviors and abilities. Grades 7 and up.
Fossils/Erosion (52 min. Bill Nye) 2 parts. Part 1: Discover the relationship between dinosaurs and birds, and find out that rhinoceroses once lived in Nebraska. Bill also tracks down dinosaur footprints with paleontologist Grace Irby and travels to the La Brea Tar Pits to see what's underneath all that tar. Part 2: The planet looks a lot different than it did when it formed four and a half billion years ago. The force of erosion, the slow wearing away of the land, has never ceased. Grades 3 - 8.
Giant Leap for Dinosaurs (30 min. Museum of the Rockies) This film discusses Jack Horner's discovery of Maiasaura. Grades 5 and up.
How to Build a Dinosaur (29 min. Milwaukee Public Television) This film describes the process involved in putting together a dinosaur skeleton and the role played by museums in sponsoring scientific research and fieldwork. Grades 4 and up.
I Dig Fossils (Mazon Productions) Join Scott and his dad in this fossil hunting adventure. Grades 4 and up.
I Love Dinosaurs (80 min. National Geographic) In this film viewers dig for unknown dinosaurs with paleontologist Paul Sereno, meet Sue the T. rex—the world's largest Tyrannosaurus Rex—and learn what's new about their favorite creatures. Grades K - 4.
Investigating Dinosaurs (24 min. Discovery Communications) In this film young viewers get down in the dirt with paleontologists as they search for clues about dinosaurs. In three re-creations, viewers observe relationships between predators and prey, see how some dinosaurs adapted to an ocean environment, and observe how paleontologists recreate the wing structure of the pterosaur.
Grades K - 2.
Magic School Bus: The Busasaurus (26 min. Scholastic) Ms. Frizzle leads the far-ranging school bus on a Jurassic trip into the time of the dinosaurs to learn a little pre-history. Grades K - 4.
Maia: A Dinosaur Grows Up (30 min. Running Press Video) Join Maia, a duck-billed dinosaur, to explore life on earth 80 million years ago. Grades K - 6.
The Monsters Emerge (60 min. PBS) This film discusses major events leading to the discovery of dinosaur fossils. Grades 4 and up.
Nature of the Beast (60 min. PBS) This film explores evidence that some dinosaurs lived and traveled in organized groups. Grades 4 and up.
Paleontology (