Tertiary Catalogue

After all the work of conducting an investigation, a scientist’s role is not over yet. Essential viewing before concluding their own STEM investigation, this programme introduces students to the many benefits and ways of communicating their scientific research by following four scientists who are well versed in presenting their findings to those who need to know about it. Show Less

Exploring the broad issue of urban light pollution through the work of four dedicated researchers, this programme reveals how and why each scientist chose their niche and turned it into a measurable research question. Middle and Senior-secondary students will find this programme insightful viewing before delving into their own STEM investigation. Show Less

Even the most well planned experiment means little if the evidence collected isn’t properly analysed. Following the progress of four scientists researching the problem of urban light pollution from four different angles, middle and senior secondary viewers will gain valuable information about the methods and technologies available for data analysis and how to avoid research bias. Show Less

Experiments come in many shapes and sizes, but they all have special considerations and constraints that need to be meticulously planned for before any field or lab work can begin. Ideal viewing before undertaking their own STEM investigation, viewers will re-join four scientists researching different angles of urban light pollution as they talk through the planning behind their experiments and the types of evidence they collected. Show Less

In the final episode, we look at the three ways that heat energy can transfer from one thing to another: conduction, convection, and radiation. A heat source is useless if heat energy can't transfer from the heat source to whatever you want heated. Understanding heat transfer is essential if you want to cook good food and if you want to stay warm when it's cold and stay cool when it's hot. Show Less

In episode four, 'The Kelvin Scale', we look at the temperature scale that is superior to the Celsius and Fahrenheit scales in many ways. Zero on the Kelvin scale is equal to -273°C. And why is -273°C so special? Because that's the coldest temperature you can get! Show Less

In 'Changes of State', we look at the differences between solids, liquids, and gases, as well as why things change state when they absorb or lose heat energy. We also look at the strange example of carbon dioxide, which doesn't follow the same rules that most other substances do! Show Less

In episode three, we look at thermal expansion—the way that substances expand when heated and contract when cooled—and we explain why it happens. We look at how thermal expansion can be a real nuisance, but also how we can put thermal expansion to good use for the good of the world! Show Less

In the first episode we get down to the atomic level to explain how hot things are different to cold things, we describe what a temperature scale actually tells us, and we demonstrate how scientists measure the amount of heat energy that water absorbs when it's heated. Show Less

This video explores the development of scientific theories over time using one of the biggest scientific questions of all time as an example: how did our universe begin? From the static model, to red shift, the cosmological constant, the Steady State model, redshift, the Big Bang theory and cosmic microwave background, students will come to understand that scientific theories are by no means eternal. Show Less

Through an examination of Steno’s Law of Superposition, this video explains the importance of empirical data collection for gathering evidence in support of scientific laws. With the simple and entertaining analogy of pants in a laundry basket, Steno’s contribution to science – particularly palaeontology – will help students to understand the rigour that must go into a scientific law for it to be accepted. Show Less

The difference between a scientific theory, law and hypothesis can be easily misunderstood by students. This video aims to provide each of these terms with sturdy definitions, supported by a humorous and unlikely example that will be both illustrative and memorable to students. Show Less

In this episode we look at how electrons are arranged within atoms in electron shells, and at how the Periodic Table is organised to reflect these arrangements. We demonstrate a variety of experiments which led to the discovery of electron shells and finish by taking a brief look at the size of atoms. Show Less

In this episode we take a look at the three types of particles that make up atoms and describe how they are arranged within atoms. Using live demonstrations and outstanding animations, we then look back at the experiments that led to the discovery of these three particles. Show Less

We begin this episode by comparing and contrasting metals with non-metals. We then describe how Dmitri Mendeleev, the scientist who devised the first Periodic Table, organised the elements not just into metals and non-metals but also into groups based on patterns in the way that they chemically react. Finally, we explain how Mendeleev was able to use the Periodic Table to predict the existence of, and many of the properties of, elements that hadn’t at the time been discovered! Show Less

The Shedding Light on Atoms series gives students the perfect introduction to the world of atoms. Using amazing demonstrations and animations we take students on a journey of discovery to explain not just what we know about atoms, but also how we know what we know about atoms! In Episode 3, The Discovery of Atoms, we demonstrate (using copper) how elements can join together to form compounds and how compounds can be broken back down into the individual elements that make them up. We take a look at the first (fairly) accurate list of elements ever published and explore the Law of Conservation of Mass. We crush some aluminium cans to show students what causes air pressure and then explain, using lots of different examples, the experiments that led directly to the discovery of atoms. Show Less

The Shedding Light on Atoms series gives students the perfect introduction to the world of atoms. Using amazing demonstrations and animations we take students on a journey of discovery to explain not just what we know about atoms, but also how we know what we know about atoms! In Episode 2, Oxygen Everywhere, we discuss how the discovery of oxygen helped to accelerate the study of chemistry. We examine how hydrogen was discovered and how it was discovered that water is formed when hydrogen and oxygen chemically join together. We then look at oxygen’s role in producing metal oxides from metals and its role in respiration. The history of the discoveries relating to oxygen is blended seamlessly with modern chemistry to give students a really strong foundation in the scientific method and in the steps which led to an atomic theory. Show Less

The Shedding Light on Atoms series gives students the perfect introduction to the world of atoms. Using amazing demonstrations and animations we take students on a journey of discovery to explain not just what we know about atoms, but also how we know what we know about atoms! In Episode 1, The Dawn of Modern Chemistry, we briefly examine what the ancient Greeks thought about what everything was made of and then explain the basics of atoms. We take a look at the discovery of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the mid-1700s and explore some of the properties of these gases, including oxygen’s vital role in fire. Show Less

Practical skills are paramount for students of science, but learning the basics can be daunting for students just starting out. This collection demonstrates the correct and safe procedure for: operating fire safety equipment, such as a fire blanket or extinguisher; operating personal safety equipment, such as an eye bath and spills kit; basic techniques such as lighting a Bunsen burner and wafting; taking measurements using a thermometer or measuring cylinder; using a pH meter; and performing dilutions using a volumetric pipette. Show Less

Almost everything we do can be described in terms of physics. The aim of physics is to find out, by careful observation and experiment, the laws or rules that help us to understand how nature works. But how can this best be demonstrated? With the use of entertaining examples such as how lighting and special effects are created, this program demonstrates the physics behind everyday occurrences in a manner to which students can relate. Featuring powerful animations, we answer the questions behind the fundamentals of physics. Show Less

Almost everything we do can be described in terms of physics. The aim of physics is to find out, by careful observation and experiment, the laws or rules that help us to understand how nature works. But how can this best be demonstrated? With the use of entertaining examples such as skateboarding, this program demonstrates the physics behind everyday occurrences in a manner to which students can relate. Featuring powerful animations, we answer the questions behind the fundamentals of physics. Show Less

This program is a comprehensive look at radiation that originates in the nucleus of an atom. It covers the history of the discovery of radioactivity, what makes atoms radioactive, and methods for detecting radioactivity. The program also explains the types of radiation including alpha, beta, gamma & positron radiation, types of decay and decay equations, half life, decay series, radiation dose & dose equivalence. The effects of radiation on living things & the environment and the uses of radiation in medicine and industry are also discussed, with application to real-life situations. Show Less

Multicellular organisms range from quite basic forms of life to highly complex forms, such as humans. Cells are the basic building blocks of all living things. Unlike single-celled organisms, which have one cell that performs all the functions of life, multicellular organisms have different cells to perform different functions. This programme explores the level of organisation for structure, and function of multicellular organisms including cells, tissues, organs and organ systems. It highlights the nervous system of multicellular organisms for both vertebrates and invertebrates, and features an excellent dissection of a cane toad and a worm to illustrate the different forms and function of their nervous systems. It is an ideal learning resource for middle level secondary students of science and biology. The footage in the dissecting laboratory is particularly helpful in understanding structure and function of vertebrate and invertebrate nervous systems. Show Less

In this resource, you learn a great deal about the depth to which chemistry explains every part and process related to the human body. As you know, chemistry often deals with small, almost invisible substances, and in this resource you will focus on the cell. You will also explore in detail how much our body is affected by the various sources of energy you eat, such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. As you will discover, your body and your health are not solely determined by how much you exercise and what you eat. Genetics, in the form of DNA, helps explain who you are and even who you may become, including the types of diseases you may inherit that have afflicted the people you are related to. Why are fats not all bad? Why should you not cut out carbohydrates completely, even when on a diet? How can a disease from your grandfather pass on to you? Show Less

Who would have thought that two dangerous elements, such as sodium and chlorine, when bonded together, could create a new and harmless compound known as table salt? In this program we take a fascinating look at ionic bonding. Viewers will discover how and why bonding occurs, the Gilbert Lewis theory, the importance of the valence shell, the periodic table and its elements, and the common properties of ionic compounds. Viewers are also introduced to important terms of ionic bonding including electronegativety, Pauling scale, and ionisation energy. With the assistance of animated graphics, ionic bonding is brought to life. Show Less