Ninety percent of Earth is made of minerals, natural materials that form the building blocks of the solid structures on our planet. In Minerals, students will examine the makeup of a mineral as they review such properties as hardness, luster, cleavage, streak, color and density. Learn where minerals can be found, and see the many different uses of these natural wonders, which include powder, tools, jewelry and medicine. A visit to an old silver mine shows how miners removed valuable silver ore over 100 years ago, while a fun, hands-on investigation demonstrates the crystalline structure of minerals. Part of the Earth Science in Action DVD Series. A Teacher's Guide is included and available online. 23 minutes. Grades 5 to 8.
For thousands of years, humans dreamed of flying -- but it isn't as easy as birds make it look. Students will learn about lift, gravity, thrust and drag -- the forces that are used to get tons of steel off the ground and carry people thousands of miles before landing safely. They will also discover the role atoms and air pressure play in this amazing task as well as in other forms of flight. An interesting hands-on activity is included along with fun, real-life demonstrations to further illustrate these concepts. One of 16 volumes in the Physical Science in Action DVD Series in the Schlessinger Science Library. Part of the Schlessinger Science Library in Action Collection. This title correlates to the National Science Education Standards for Physical Science -- properties and changes in properties of matter, motions and forces and transfer of energy. A Teacher's Guide is included and available online. 23 minutes. Grades 5 to 8.
The explosively dangerous eruptions of volcanoes are always a sight to behold. As visually dazzling as they can be, volcanoes also play a very important role in the creation of land formations around the world. In All About Volcanoes, children will learn the ins and outs of these lava-spewing mountains, examining their anatomy while learning about three major types: shield, cinder cone and composite volcanoes. A visit to Mammoth Mountain in California focuses on the signs that this dormant volcano may be coming to life, while an informative, hands-on activity demonstrates how a volcano erupts by building a useful model. Part of the Earth Science for Children DVD Series. A teacher's guide is available online. 23 minutes. Grades K to 4.
Minerals are an important part of everything around us -- from the pencils we write with to the airplanes in the sky. Even the earth beneath our feet is packed solid with these essential building blocks. In All About Rocks and Minerals, children will discover the characteristics of minerals and see how different minerals make up different kinds of rocks: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. A visit to a lapidary shop examines some beautiful gemstones, while a fun, hands-on investigation demonstrates how solid crystals can be made from a liquid. Part of the Earth Science for Children DVD Series. A teacher's guide is available online. 23 minutes. Grades K to 4.
Natural resources include sunshine, fresh air, plants, animals, minerals and fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. These things are resources because they are needed by living things. They are "natural" resources because they are all products of nature. In All About Natural Resources, children will learn about these resources and more, discovering along the way what makes some natural resources renewable and others nonrenewable. See how wind turbines provide an alternative to fossil fuels as a means of providing energy, while a fun, hands-on demonstration shows children how they can build their own simple water treatment system. Part of the Earth Science for Children DVD Series. A Teacher's Guide is included and available online. 23 minutes. Grades K to 4.
They shake the ground underfoot, causing tremors that, at their worst, can leave cracks in highways and topple buildings. But for the most part, earthquakes are constantly rumbling through the Earth with a force that's barely detectable. But why do they occur? In All About Earthquakes, children will examine the forces at work that cause earthquakes and discover the instruments that scientists use to predict and measure these earthly tremors. A visit to Mammoth Lakes in California showcases an advanced network of lasers that measures ground movement in the area, while a fun, hands-on activity demonstrates how architects test their designs by using a shaker table. Part of the Earth Science for Children DVD Series. A Teacher's Guide is included and available online. 23 minutes. Grades K to 4.
Over the course of its 4.5 billion-year history, Earth has undergone a great number of changes -- from a red-hot ball of molten lava to a planet with an environment capable of sustaining life. In All About Earth's History, children will trace the evolution of Earth and the organisms that populate it. Young viewers will take a peek deep inside the Earth, examining its varied layers while discussing how scientists use fossils to help map out the complex time line of events that has changed Earth over millions of years. A visit to the Grand Canyon examines the rock layers of this famous land formation, revealing how the climate of the region has changed over time. A lively, hands-on activity demonstrates how scientists use core samples to study the Earth. Part of the Earth Science for Children DVD Series. A Teacher's Guide is included and available online. 23 minutes. Grades K to 4.
Soil is the loose top layer of the Earth's surface, but what is it made of? How does it form? And why is it so important? In All About Soil, children will learn what components are needed to make the best soils for growing plants while discovering the important role that the forces of erosion play in the creation of this valuable resource. A visit to a grade school showcases a unique program that uses lunch leftovers and hungry earthworms to improve the soil in the school's garden, while an informative demonstration illustrates how sand is created from the continual erosion of rocks. Part of the Earth Science for Children DVD Series. A teacher's guide is available online. 23 minutes. Grades K to 4.
Fossil fuels were formed millions of years ago as part of a natural process in which the remains of dead plants and animals were buried and placed under extreme pressure and heat. Coal, oil and natural gas are the most important fossil fuels. But what are they used for, how do we find them and what can we do to preserve our limited supplies? Students will find the answers to these questions and more in Fossil Fuels as they explore these nonrenewable resources of Earth. A fun, hands-on investigation demonstrates a creative alternative to using fossil fuels in the creation of plastic and a visit to an oil platform showcases how this valuable fossil fuel is pumped up from the bottom of the ocean. Part of the Earth Science in Action DVD Series. A Teacher's Guide is included and available online. 23 minutes. Grades 5 to 8.
In Earthquakes, students discover how the underground movement of rocks, along with stresses on Earth's crust, produce surface-level tremors. Learn how scientists determine where the hypocenter and epicenter of a quake occur while exploring the destructive power of seismic waves. Investigate some of the most destructive earthquakes of the 20th century, and learn how seismologists predict where they will occur. A visit to the University of California at Berkeley showcases the use of a "shaker table" by engineers designing buildings, while a fun, hands-on investigation demonstrates how students can build a simple model of a seismograph and put it through a simulated earthquake. Part of the Earth Science in Action DVD Series. A Teacher's Guide is included and available online. 23 minutes. Grades 5 to 8.
Fossils are historic blueprints -- remnants of plant and animal life that preceded us. In Fossils, students will examine molds, casts and imprints of various living things, and discover how scientists place the age of these ancient remains and the methods they use to preserve them for future generations. Find out how paleontologists discover fossils and what these discoveries tell us about the past. Take a trip to the Petrified Forest, and examine tree trunks that were turned to stone millions of years ago. A fun, hands-on investigation demonstrates for students how they can create four different simulated environments in order to test each for its ability to preserve remains. Part of the Earth Science in Action DVD Series. A Teacher's Guide is included and available online. 23 minutes. Grades 5 to 8.
From the highest mountains to the deepest chasms, Earth's terrain is comprised of varying levels and unique features. In Topography, students will learn how the features of Earth's surface are arranged while exploring the art and science of re-creating these terrains on maps. See how forces like earthquakes, volcanoes, water and wind have changed Earth's surface over countless centuries, and learn why studying these changes is important to learning about our planet's past and future. See how cartographers map the floor of the oceans, while an informative demonstration shows students how they can make a simple topographic map of their own. Part of the Earth Science in Action DVD Series. A Teacher's Guide is included and available online. 23 minutes. Grades 5 to 8.
Natural resources are created by Earth's processes and used as a source of energy for all life on Earth. While some are created over the course of millions of years, others are continually generated each and every day. In Natural Resources, students will examine both renewable and nonrenewable resources, touching on their sources and many uses. Discover the best methods of conserving nonrenewable resources, including how they are recycled and cleaned. A fun, hands-on investigation illustrates how students can observe the many different kinds of particles that can be found in the air, while a geothermal plant provides the setting for a look at how people can turn volcanic heat into electricity. Part of the Earth Science in Action DVD Series. A Teacher's Guide is included and available online. 23 minutes. Grades 5 to 8.
Volcanoes are one of Earth's most fascinating and destructive forces. In Volcanoes, students will get an up-close look at these fiery formations, discovering how they form and what causes them to erupt. Learn the difference between magma and lava, and discover the characteristics that enable volcanologists to classify a volcano as cinder cone, shield or composite. Examine the anatomy of an active volcano, and learn about historical eruptions that have left a mark on our planet. A fun, hands-on investigation demonstrates how a tilt meter is used to predict when a volcano might erupt by charting changes in the slope of the surrounding ground, while a visit to Horseshoe Lake at Mammoth Mountain, California, highlights an invisible sign of volcanic activity -- poisonous carbon dioxide fumes. Part of the Earth Science in Action DVD Series. A teacher's guide is available online. 23 minutes. Grades 5 to 8.
The rocks and soil that make up Earth's surface are constantly being affected by a variety of forces, ranging from heat and frost to water and wind. In Weathering and Erosion, students will discover the natural forces that cause weathering, erosion and deposition, and see the many effects that these processes have on Earth's surface. Students will examine natural structures around the world and see how weathering and erosion have affected them, while discovering ways in which people have become better prepared to battle these forces through conservation. In addition, a fun, hands-on experiment demonstrates how running water erodes different types of soil. Part of the Earth Science in Action DVD Series. A Teacher's Guide is included and available online. 23 minutes. Grades 5 to 8.
Water is vital to all life on Earth and covers nearly three-fourths of our planet's surface. Where does it come from? Will we use it up eventually? In The Water Cycle, students learn that Earth has the same water supply today as it did millions of years ago. Examine the amazing process by which water is continually recycled and transported from place to place through evaporation, condensation and precipitation. Also find out how energy from the sun drives the water cycle and how the atmosphere prevents water from slipping away from Earth. A fun, hands-on investigation demonstrates how an artesian well works, while a visit to a desalination plant showcases how salt water is purified. Part of the Earth Science in Action DVD Series. A Teacher's Guide is included and available online. 23 minutes. Grades 5 to 8.
A car won't run without fuel. And just like a car, the human body can't be expected to work without the food and nutrients it uses as fuel. Good nutrition and exercise are always important! Students learn about the food pyramid, as well as the types and amounts of foods needed by the body each day to stay healthy. Children find out how calories burn and how exercise keeps the body in shape! Students also take a look at how an unbalanced diet, overeating and lack of exercise can wear the body down and affect well-being. A hands-on activity is included. Part of the multivolume Human Body for Children DVD Series in the Schlessinger Science Library. Part of the Schlessinger Science Library for Children Collection. This title is based on the concepts outlined in the National Science Education Standards for Life Science: characteristics of organisms, life cycles of organisms and organisms and environments. A Teacher's Guide is included and available online. Grades K-4. 23 minutes.
Up, up and away! A hot air balloon, an airplane and even the space shuttle all defy the force of gravity, but they all do it in different ways. Children learn about the basic concepts that make flight possible. With clear demonstrations and a hands-on project, students will be able to understand more easily the basic concepts behind various types of flight. One of 11 volumes in the Physical Science for Children Video Series in the Schlessinger Science Library. Part of the Schlessinger Science Library for Children Collection. This title correlates to the National Science Education Standards for Physical Science -- properties of objects and materials, position and motion of objects, and light, heat, electricity and magnetism. This program includes a Teacher's Guide. 23 minutes. Grades K to 4.
Your brain controls everything you do -- from breathing, to feeling, to learning and playing. All About the Brain introduces kids to the human nervous system, which is comprised of the brain, the spinal cord and a vast network of nerves. Discover the basic units of the nervous system, and explore the functions of the three main parts of the brain: the cerebrum, the cerebellum and the brain stem. Colorful graphics and exciting, real-life examples help young students understand how messages constantly travel back and forth between the brain and all of the other parts of the body. A fun demonstration shows how the brain is protected not only by the skull, but by a layer of fluid as well. Reflexes are discussed, and an easy-to-replicate experiment is included in which kids actually measure their own reaction time. Part of the multivolume Human Body for Children DVD Series in the Schlessinger Science Library. Part of the Schlessinger Science Library for Children Collection. This title is based on the concepts outlined in the National Science Education Standards for Life Science: characteristics of organisms, life cycles of organisms and organisms & environments. A Teacher's Guide is included and available online. 23 minutes. Grades K to 4.
Set against the backdrop of a soccer team in action, Cells takes a close-up look at the smallest living unit in the human body. Kids will discover that, while most cells are very similar in structure and equipment, each type of cell has its own special function. Colorful, detailed graphics give viewers a complete rundown of the various parts of a cell. Inside the cell, they'll see various organelles -- the individual parts that work together to keep the cell functioning. Cell specialization and the process of cellular reproduction known as mitosis are also covered. Includes a fun, hands-on activity that demonstrates the concept of a "selective membrane." One of ten volumes in the Human Body in Action DVD Series in the Schlessinger Science Library. Part of the Schlessinger Science Library in Action Collection. This title is based on the concepts outlined in the National Science Education Standards for Life Science: structure & function in living systems, reproduction & heredity, regulation & behavior, and diversity & adaptations of organisms. A Teacher's Guide is included and available online. 23 minutes. Grades 5 to 8.
Most kids understand that many plants sprout from seeds, grow flowers and make new seeds, and then the whole process starts all over again. What they may not realize is that this is an example of a life cycle, and it applies to people, too! In All About the Human Life Cycle, students will discover that there are stages that all of us pass through as we grow: birth, infancy, childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Each of these is described by using real-life examples against the backdrop of a family picnic. The concept of a cycle is stressed, making it clear that the cycle of life repeats again and again with each new baby that is born. A fun activity is included in which kids witness the stages of a life cycle up close through observing the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly. Part of the multivolume Human Body for Children DVD Series in the Schlessinger Science Library. Part of the Schlessinger Science Library for Children Collection. This title is based on the concepts outlined in the National Science Education Standards for Life Science: characteristics of organisms, life cycles of organisms and organisms & environments. A Teacher's Guide is included and available online. 23 minutes. Grades K to 4.
When we try to move ourselves or other objects, a force is being created -- a push or a pull. Students learn about how forces are involved in everything we do and about the natural force that affects us every minute of every day. How does it help or hinder us in our everyday lives? With clear demonstrations and a fun, hands-on activity, these concepts are more easily understood. This program is one of 11 volumes in the Physical Science for Children DVD Series in the Schlessinger Science Library. Part of the Schlessinger Science Library for Children Collection. This title correlates to the National Science Education Standards for Physical Science -- properties of objects and materials, position and motion of objects, and light, heat, electricity and magnetism. A Teacher's Guide is included and available online. 23 minutes. Grades K to 4.
Walking on a balance beam or riding a bike both require motion and balance. This program will reveal how unbalanced forces create motion, while balanced forces keep things still. Students also learn how concepts like velocity, acceleration and momentum fit into this puzzle. A unique hands-on activity combined with vivid imagery and graphics will clearly illustrate these concepts to students. This program is one of 11 volumes in the Physical Science for Children DVD Series in the Schlessinger Science Library. Part of the Schlessinger Science Library for Children Collection. This title correlates to the National Science Education Standards for Physical Science -- properties of objects and materials, position and motion of objects, and light, heat, electricity and magnetism. A Teacher's Guide is included and available online. 23 minutes. Grades K to 4.
In Chromatography, viewers learn a valuable technique for the rapid separation of chemical mixtures. After the scientific principles of paper chromatography are conveyed through real-life demonstrations and clear graphics, students move into the lab to analyze a number of ink samples, calculating Rf values for the pigments found in each sample. Students investigate the experimental techniques used to determine if two samples are identical by creating a unique visual "fingerprint" of each tested substance. They also explore the factors affecting each separation and extend the investigation by choosing different solvents for the mobile phase. See how gas chromatography is used in arson investigations and how thin-layer chromatography can be utilized to confirm a document's authenticity. Part of the multivolume Science Lab Investigations! DVD Series. Includes a Teacher's Guide.
In Chromatography, viewers learn a valuable technique for the rapid separation of chemical mixtures. After the scientific principles of paper chromatography are conveyed through real-life demonstrations and clear graphics, students move into the lab to analyze a number of ink samples, calculating Rf values for the pigments found in each sample. Students investigate the experimental techniques used to determine if two samples are identical by creating a unique visual "fingerprint" of each tested substance. They also explore the factors affecting each separation and extend the investigation by choosing different solvents for the mobile phase. See how gas chromatography is used in arson investigations and how thin-layer chromatography can be utilized to confirm a document's authenticity. Part of the multivolume Science Lab Investigations! DVD Series. Includes a Teacher's Guide.