DVD

This program explains that monuments and statues remind us of a community's past. Introduces the history of Native Americans in a survey of the homes built by Indians of the Pacific Northwest, the Woodlands, the Plains and the Southwest. Reviews the changes brought by the Pilgrims, how colonists established Williamsburg and how settlers advanced into the West.

This program distinguishes between the rules made by institutions such as schools and laws made for everyone in the community. Provides an introduction to the Bill of Rights and the freedoms it preserves for all Americans. Using women's suffrage as an example, explains that unjust laws can be changed. Stresses that new laws are always necessary, particular with major changes in technology.

An environmental scientist providing clean water to the city of Philadelphia explains how this water is used to fight fires and to provide water for our homes, parks, and swimming pools. He shows us that river water provided by rain and runoff from farms is dirty and needs to be purified before human beings can use it.

A family doctor explains that all kinds of people visit him in the medical center for check-ups and referrals to specialists. He recalls that he loved science and math at school and always looked forward to the day when he could make a living helping people of all ages stay healthy.

A fire fighter explains that he often assists in medical emergencies, not just in fires. At the station he puts on his fire gear explaining the purpose of each piece of clothing and the fire station routines that have been developed for a quick response that saves lives.

This program explains that communities can be classified by their geography; that there are forest, river, mountain, and ocean and valley communities. Provides examples of these communities including forestry in Northern California, wineries in the Napa Valley, Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, Mississippi River communitiesand the port of New york.

Jerry, a pharmacist, and Dr. Dermarderosian, a professor of pharmacology, show children the difference between helpful medicines and harmful substances.

An enthusiastic recycling coordinator steps viewers through the recycling process for cans, plastics and newspapers, emphasizing the useful products and hundreds of jobs that are created by recycling industries. Shows the machinery and processes used at Material Recovery Facilities that produce recycled materials for clothing, benches, chairs, cardboard, and paper products.

A Grade Two teacher explains why she loves teaching and observing the changes in her students over the course of the year. Her students return the compliment, explaining why they love her and how she helps them learn.

In answering the question, "Why do people work," introduces key economic concepts such as wants, needs, money, economy, goods, services, importing, exporting, etc. Provides a contrast between manufacturing and agricultural communities and the representative jobs in each. Explains that Detroit is a typical manufacturing community that exports manufactured products all over the world.

A huge bottled-water industry has recently emerged, with the U.S. its largest consumer. But is bottled water actually healthier, safer, or tastier than tap water? A water expert explains that bottled water does not meet the same strict standards in the U.S. as water from the tap, though tap-water quality can vary among communities.

Despite its wonders, Earth's water cycle does not spread water evenly around the planet. The Ogallala Aquifer’s huge underground reservoir of water gives the relatively dry Central Plains states such as Nebraska a large but limited irrigation source. But the aquifer's water is being used up faster than it is beng replenished.

The Rio Grande is one of our longest rivers, its Texas section forming the border between the U.S and Mexico. Competing human claims for it are viewed through the eyes of two young women: a whitewater rafting guide in upstream New Mexico and a teenager downstream near El Paso.

Drinking polluted water can cause many deadly diseases, especially in children of poor countries around the world. We see the crystal-clear water in a flowing Peruvian rainforest river but are amazed to learn that it is unsafe, due to runoff entering the great connected network of tributaries that flow into the Amazon, the world’s largest source of fresh water.

Polluted waters can have damaging economic and social effects as well as destroy wildlife habitats. Chesapeake Bay is one of the most polluted bodies of water in America, but local students are working with commercial crab catchers and scientists in the Baltimore area to help restore its health.