Tertiary Catalogue

In recent history, Australia's relationship with nature has evolved with the arrival of settlers and increased population. We are more aware of the importance of preserving our natural environment. In this programme we investigate how white settlers with a different view on nature attempted to modify Australia's landscape to suit foreign farming practices. Nature was a tough adversary, but provided the early Europeans with enough resource to grow into a nation. We discuss the creation of Australia's first national park in 1878, which forever changed future relationships with the land. Also investigated is the need to respect historical, traditional and cultural heritages of the land. Show Less

In the sea life is everywhere, but five habitats are like underwater cities. They are coral reefs, mangroves, salt marshes, sea grass beds and kelp forests. They provide safety, food, and a nursery for the young of many species. Yet they are in critical danger because we humans are rapidly destroying them. This programme seeks to explain why these five habitats are very important to life in the sea and to point to the fact that they are all in decline. They are being damaged by human activity... some are being cleared away for ports or housing, some are damaged by trawling nets or dredge silt, as well as pollution, overfishing, or the slow but undeniable outcomes of global warming... to name only a few of the reasons. We need to try and stop this worrying trend. Show Less

When it comes to fire safety in the workplace, we might be tempted to think that it's not our concern, or that there's plenty of other things to worry about—until it's too late. However, it's everyone's responsibility to prevent fires. That means we all have an important part to play in identifying and minimising the risks. Show Less

In the solar system only earth has life, and clearly that has been made possible because we have oceans of liquid water. But why only on earth? And what are the factors that have made earth’s oceans hospitable to life? If you set up an aquarium you will have to confront some of these issues, because an aquarium has to replicate these factors or everything in it will die. Water temperature, water retention, circulation, oxygenation, temperature stability and maintaining a food chain are the main ones. We set them up artificially in an aquarium, but an aquarium is in fact a microcosm of nature. So how does nature achieve these things? This film looks at a very big picture - the big parameters of life in the sea. We explain why earth is so incredibly lucky that all the factors have come together to support life here. We also mention how they have faltered in the past and so caused extinction events and how, indeed, we should take nothing for granted for the future. Show Less

Everyone likes to visit the beach. But for living things a beach represents one of the toughest environments on earth. Beaches are in constant flux, hammered by waves and wind and extremes of temperature, sometimes submerged and sometimes dry. Beach erosion threatens human activities too. This program looks at many aspects of beaches, from the life in the littoral zone to the basic geology of beaches. Show Less

Bangladesh's Sundarban Mangroves is one of the world's most bio-diverse areas and home to the endangered Bengal Tiger. This video resource bank looks at why the Sundarbans is so important: as a bio-diversity hotspot, as a carbon bank and as protection against the impacts of tropical cyclones. It examines the threats, including climate change, shrimp farming, poaching and tiger killings. It then explores how they can be sustainably managed and by whom. Case studies include; a tiger conservation project, eco-tourism and government initiatives to control resource exploitation. Show Less

A story of struggle and tragedy, 'Blood on the Coal' features harrowing underground disasters, heroic rescues and traces a history of strikes, industrial turmoil and the current push by global mining giants to destroy regional communities and replace local mineworkers with a subservient itinerant workforce. The film underscores the ongoing values of mateship, community spirit and unity in the face of powerful opposing forces. 'Blood on the Coal' puts injustice on the record, bears witness to the human cost of mining and reveals how ordinary workers and their families pay the ultimate price for corporate greed and government neglect. Show Less

With stunning footage shot in the Canadian tundra, this title identifies and explores the physical and human factors, including climate change, that affect carbon and water cycles in the tundra We see the research and monitoring techniques scientists are using to identify and record these changes and look at the reasons this data is gathered. The resource shows how these same techniques can be used by students as part of their own fieldwork investigations. Show Less

Filmed in the Amazon and Borneo, this resource illustrates and explains the key environmental and land use changes occurring in tropical rainforests and explores the effect they're having on the carbon ad hydrological cycles. We accompany scientists up flux towers as they monitor CO2 emissions and find out why they're digging soil pits to examine decomposition rates. A fantastic case study to deepen students' understanding of carbon and water cycles. Show Less

Chemical analysis is integral to modern society. The testing of consumer goods, industrial products and food relies upon a number of different techniques. This program will investigate the analytical techniques of chromatography, mass spectrometry and spectroscopy. This program will address the theory behind how a range of analytical techniques work and how the data produced by these techniques is interpreted. Specific examples will be used to demonstrate the qualitative and quantitative applications of chromatography, mass spectrometry, flame testing, atomic absorption spectrometry, infrared spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. Show Less

Use this fantastic video resource to encourage students to judge whether or not climate change will impact upon people differently around the world. The impacts of climate change can be quite hard to see in the UK, but as engaging footage from the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, Africa, the Alps, Bangladesh, India and China shows, it’s all too much of a reality for the poorest and most vulnerable. This resource also provides clear explanations of the processes that can cause climate change and gets students engaged in the debate about the extent to which these are caused naturally or are the result of human activity. Show Less

Scientific evidence clearly shows that global temperatures are rising and weather patterns are changing. But what's causing it? Undoubtedly there has been a massive worldwide shift into accepting the impact of human energy use on the temperature of the planet, but climatic changes - including extreme changes - have been present on our planet for millions of years. Could it be that this change is just part of the normal pattern? If so, some argue, there is no need to change our energy use to the detriment of the economy. This programme poses questions for debate and discussion in the classroom about climate change. It presents expert opinions, statistics and historical references presenting two sides of the story, and ultimately asks us, how worried should we be and what can or should we do to avert climate change? Show Less

This programme establishes the vital importance of the greenhouse effect for life on Earth and then presents a balanced argument to assess whether or not anthropogenic climate change (often called global warming) is in fact taking place. Clear arguments are presented on both sides of the debate and illustrations given covering both more economically developed countries and less economically developed countries, with impacts and responses fully explored. A thorough and balanced examination of this important and often contentious issue. Show Less

Coastal dunes are good examples of fragile ecosystems. This program explores dune ecology, the impact of human-induced change and the management of these ecosystems through coastal dune rehabilitation. Case studies shown include dunecare groups, high school student groups, Bitou bush control, dune revegetation and ecosystem re-establishment after sand mining. Show Less

Warrnambool native and eco-activist, Colleen Hughson, first began her beach clean-up initiative after spending time walking along the Shelly Beach, a remote, rugged stretch of coastline near her hometown. During an illness she would frequent the beach taking time to unwind and relax but couldn’t help but noticing that day in, day out, the beach was dotted with white, plastic sticks. Show Less

The secret to healthy, balanced eating is to create a great plate! This inspiring and informative programme shows teens what healthy eating looks like, and tells them how to make at least half their grains whole, vary their veggies, focus on fruits, get calcium-rich foods, and go lean with protein. Based upon the very latest dietary guidelines the MyPlate campaign this is an informative and empowering program for smart and hungry teens. Based on the internationally renowned food pyramid concept, the programme also comes with a written resource to facilitate greater learning. Show Less

Australian food is an eclectic blend of many different cultures. This program explores the origins of many popular Australian foods and what it is that makes them Australian. Beginning with the British colonisation and family favourites such as the traditional Sunday roast, we explore how the migration of the Chinese and Europeans after WW2 introduced Australia to many new culinary delights, and influenced the food we eat today. We introduce the emergence of 'fusion foods' and discuss the growing popularity of Australian bush foods and how the bush food industry is expanding into international markets. Show Less

Every continent has deserts – they occupy more area of the surface of our planet than any other type of landscape. They occur in all climatic zones including the hottest and coldest locations on Earth. This programme takes an in-depth look at deserts around the world, examining why they exist and the different climate drivers at work in their formation. Physical characteristics and processes occurring within them are explored. It also covers human life in deserts and the various ways in which people adapt to living in a dry environment, and human impact on fragile desert ecosystems. It features a range of imagery of different deserts around the world, and uses graphics to clearly explain some of the natural processes at work. An excellent resource for students of Geography, Environmental Studies and allied disciplines, this programme enhances learners’ understanding of one of the planet’s harshest environments. Show Less

With clear graphics, maps and footage filmed in a variety of rainforest environments, including the Amazon and in a variety of mangrove forests, including the world's largest (the Sundarbans), this title describes the distribution of tropical rainforests and mangroves around the world, identifies the world's key areas and describes how their distribution has changed over time. Show Less

The town of Bega, on the south coast of NSW are working to transform their town into a sustainable community. Through the work of "Clean Energy for Eternity", the program follows Dr Matthew Nott as he charts their journey into solar PV, windpower and the local council's exploration of tidal energy. This program provides a useful case study on environmental sustainability for senior geography students. Show Less

An excellent insight into a range of common engineered wood products, this program also identifies the areas where the products have provided a viable replacement for the historical uses of old growth forests timbers used in the construction industry, and the need to find viable alternative products. The production of four engineered wood products; plywood, laminated veneer timbers, particle board and medium density fibreboard, are dealt with separately, based around a different production company and location. We get an excellent explanation of the processes from timber felling to the finished board and where the products can be used in the home and kitchen. Also included are the considerations in design. Show Less