plant and animal adaptations
This 2 1/2 minute slide show is set to music. Photos are large, clear and colorful with labels on each. Students must be able to read the brief labels to obtain the information. Several topics are covered, including examples of the parts of the plants we eat (roots, seeds, flowers, stems etc) plant dispersal (wind, water, burrs, animal waste etc) plant adaptations (broad leaves, needs, shallow roots, thorns, woody stems etc) and animal adaptations (camouflage, beak shapes, sharp teeth, cl
How Hot and Spicy Foods Work
Things are getting a little hot and spicy in this episode of Food Science! Why do certain plants cause our mouths such pain? 'Piquant' chemicals in these foods are the results of compounds from certain chemicals in the plants that were designed to protect themselves from insects and animals. Run time 04:50
What is an Ecosystem? Video explores the basic biotic factors in an ecosystem. The biotic components of an ecosystem include all the living things in an area. Video shows two different butterflies and asks: Why are these butterflies different from each other? It is possible to pause the tape and discuss with students. The answer: They are members of two different species. Species consists a group of organisms that s
Magic School Bus "All Dried Up"
Travel with Ms. Frizzle and the class to learn more about deserts. Phoebe’s worriedabout the animals in the desert. Will they die from lack of food andwater? Once again, Ms. Frizzle’s class is off on an exciting field trip. This is no dry run! The kids are going to a real
desert. Will they be able to save the animals? Do the animals really
need to be saved? Join the class as they learn how plants and animals
survive in the desert. It’s one hot field trip! Run time 22:00
Learn about Desert Plants
Learn about desert plants and desert landscaping from Veronica Hill of CaliforniaTravelExpert.com as she tours the Living Desert botanical gardens in Palm Desert, California. Run time 02:07.
The Cactus - Home Prickly Home
From DragonflyTV. Mark and Alex, are junior docents at the Arizona - Sonora Desert Museum. They do presentations for museum visitors about the plants and animals. This video touches on severa, especially the saguaro cactus. The kids conduct an investigation to see if the holes in the saguaro cactus are always on the same side.
Patterns in Plants
In this video segment from Cyberchase, Bianca wants to learn why her plants keep dying, so she transports them in a carriage to the New York Botanical Garden. A helpful plant expert shows her some patterns in plants, including bilateral and rotational symmetry, before discovering the pattern that may be killing Bianca's plants. Closed captioning. Run time 03:25.
My Father's Garden
Discovering a whole tiny world in my father's small garden. There is a small pond with small falls, some stones, plants, and plenty of life! Beautiful images are set to soothing music. Run time 06:37.
Magic School Bus "Gets Swamped"
Travel with Ms. Frizzle and the class as they learn more about wetlands. This Magic School Bus video will cover the following two concepts: (1) Wetlands are low, marshy areas that are wet at least part of the year. and (2) Wetlands help to clean water by slowing it, allowing sediments to settle out and plants and bacteria to purify the water. Run time 22 minutes.
Flood Plain and Higher Ground Habitats
In this video segment from NatureScene, take a tour of the Congaree Swamp National Park to learn about where the high-ground and floodplain environments meet. The boundary between dry and semi-saturated ground supports a diversity of plants, including loblolly pines and beech trees on higher ground, as well as understory plants such as doghobble and cinnamon fern. Decomposers like mushrooms, which are also understory plants, help to break down and cycle nutrients back into the soil. Plant habita
Swamps and Such - Natures Kidneys
This video series from WOSU Public Media uses the example of a wetland to explain the structure and functions of ecosystems and how ecosystems change over time. In these videos meet wetland scientist Dan Fink who hosts the program and examines the types of communities of plants, animals, birds and fish that abound in wetlands, the process of photosynthesis, and the complex relationship between water and productivity. Developed in collaboration with The Ohio State University Olentangy River Wetla
The Value of Wetlands
In this video segment adapted from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, learn about the value of the wetlands ecosystems. Wetlands are essential habitats for plants and wildlife and a critical part of the water cycle. Yet they are under threat, largely due to the needs of a growing human population. The video suggests that humans must find a way to balance their needs while protecting and restoring wetlands. Closed captioning included. Run time 03:08.
The Busy Electron Oxidation and corrosion reactions are explained, and real world solutions to these problems are discussed. The principles of electrochemical cell design are explained through batteries, sensors, and a solar-powered car. New applications of lithium batteries are spurring medical and technological advances.
Beyond the Lava
Video takes place in the Kamchatka peninsula in Russia. There are more than 120 volcanoes in this area. Video photographer climbs down into the volcano to take photos. Video shows how he climbs down and the risks he takes to get the photos.
Solar Technology GE researcher Vlatko Vlatkovic discusses solar technology development at GE from the roof of GE's global research center in New York. It is a solar panel test set up. He shows a silicone solar cell and explains how the sun hits the cell and is converted to energy. He explains that the system is still very expensive and not very attractive and how they are trying to produce a more efficient, less expensive, and a better looking u
Coral Reef Ecosystem
This video shows a close up of a coral reef. Coral reefs are the most biologically diverse marine eco-systems on earth, rivaled only by the tropical rainforests on land. This video shows many different plants and animals close up. Run time 03:49.
Clean Coal?
This video segment adapted from FRONTLINE: "Heat" examines clean coal technology. It provides statistics for overall annual U.S. consumption as well as average household usage, and then explains the need for developing a cleaner way to convert coal into energy. Visit a Florida energy plant that turns solid coal into a clean-burning fuel gas (syngas), and learn about a new approach to capture and store carbon dioxide gas, a by-product of coal burning. Carbon dioxide is an important greenhouse gas
"This Bulb" Hollywood Stars come together to Discuss how Reverse Effects of Greenhouse Gas
Natalie Portman, Kyra Sedwick, and Chloe Sevigny explain how simply changing a light bulb can help reverse the effects of greenhouse gasses. The clip encourages the use and explains the benefits of fluorescent light bulbs. This video also has music by Aimee Mann. Run time 01:45.
Dangers from Heat in the Karoo Biome
South Africa's Karoo desert gives a glimps into the damage hot , dry weather can bring. This desert is getting even hotter and drier than ever and the plant life is dying rapidly. Some of the plants are in grave danger of extinction. What is going on in this area could foreshadow what might happen everywhere. This video could also be used while discussing adaptations that plants have for hot, dry weather. Run time 03:16.
The Voltaic Pile
The Voltaic Pile may have been the first successful multi-cell battery. This video presents the history of this important device and explains how they are constructed. If you attempt to construct your own voltaic pile make sure you have adult supervision, someone with knowledge of electrical systems and safety procedures.
