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

Nuclear energy generates massive amounts of electricity but also produces highly dangerous radioactive waste. This clip explains waste production in reactors, its treatment and containment and how technology continues to improve safety around nuclear fission. It also explores reprocessing of waste and summarises the costs and benefits of nuclear power generation. Show Less

Nuclear reactors contain radioactive fuel that undergoes fission, producing immense heat that drives turbines. Globally, about 10 per cent of electricity is generated this way. This clip details what happens inside a reactor, nuclear fuel and its processing, how reactions are contained and how the heat generates power. It provides a clear explanation of nuclear power generation for middle to senior secondary students of science/physics. Show Less

Understanding how nuclear fission produces such vast quantities of energy starts with unimaginably tiny sub-atomic particles. This clip details how fission occurs in radioactive nuclei to release energy. It also explores why the amount of energy generated when nuclei split is so great, using Einstein’s equation: E = mc2. Aimed at middle to senior secondary students of science/physics, this resource will assist in gaining a clear understanding of nuclear fission. Show Less

The energy produced by nuclear fusion powers stars like our own Sun. This clip examines nuclear fusion, including what occurs at the sub-atomic level and why the energy released by fusion is vastly greater than in nuclear fission. Einstein’s equation, E = mc2 is used to calculate specific energy quantities. Senior secondary students of chemistry and physics will find this a valuable resource. 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

Nanotechnology has found its way into our homes and everyday lives. This clip reveals some amazing applications that are part of our everyday lives now, and takes a look nanotechnology in the future and the revolutionary impact it will continue to have. It opens a world of possibilities for students of middle to senior level science, chemistry and physics. Show Less

Nanotechnology has diverse applications and phenomenal potential. This clip examines the properties of nanoparticles and the amazing range of applications – now and into the future. It also looks at some of the risks of this emerging field of science and technology. Students of middle to senior level science, chemistry and physics will find this an invaluable learning resource. Show Less

Nanoparticles are tiny bits of material with a diameter between one and 100 nanometres. This clip explores the tiny world of nanoparticles and how their size and structure make them so useful, including the square-cube law and the relationship between volume and surface area. It provides students of middle to senior level science, chemistry and physics with insights to phenomena at the smallest imaginable scale. Show Less

Newton’s three laws of motion are fundamental to many aspects of physics, including collisions. This clip covers the laws, explaining each and looking at how they apply to different examples of collisions. Calculations involving force, mass, acceleration and stopping time are applied to various scenarios. It is an excellent learning resource for senior level physics students. Show Less

Understanding the relationship between different variable quantities when objects collide enables us to explain and predict their behaviour. This clip looks at quantities including work, force, distance, mass, velocity and kinetic energy. Worked examples using different mathematical formulae are applied to everyday examples of collisions. It is a great learning resource for senior level physics students. Show Less

Calculating scalar and vector quantities is vital to understanding collisions. Using tennis court action, this clip examines various quantities including initial and final velocity, displacement, acceleration and time. A number of clearly worked examples using a range of mathematical formulae are provided, which will assist senior level physics students to understand the relationship between various scalar and vector quantities. Show Less

Collisions occur around us constantly. To know how objects behave when they collide, an understanding of some important concepts of physics is needed. This clip features many examples of collisions, and examines how applying Newton’s Laws of Motion, principles of energy and measuring variable quantities enable us to understand and predict the behaviour of colliding objects. It is an ideal resource for senior level physics students. Show Less

In this episode, we look at the 'joule', the unit for energy. We look at how much energy is stored in different foods by comparing apples and oranges (normally a no-no) and we discuss how much energy we need to do certain things including nothing much at all. We then explore the concept of energy balance and reveal the two simple rules for weight loss. That's right, these are only two! Show Less

In this episode, we introduce students to the concept of efficiency, which is a measure of how much useful energy you get out of something compared to the amount of energy that you put into it. We answer a bunch of questions including: How much light energy we get out of light globes compared to the amount of electrical energy that goes into them (Hint: it’s not much; they should be called heat globes!), how much kinetic energy we get out of cars compared to the amount of chemical energy that we put into them (Hint: it’s a bit more, but not that much more!), and how our arched feet make us the long-distance running champions of the animal world. This video is the most energy-efficient way of learning everything that you need to know about energy efficiency! Show Less