DVD

The Mind's Big Bang - 60 minutes
Between 100,000 and 50,000 years ago, something happened that triggered a creative, technological and social explosion, allowing humans to dominate the planet. What forces may have contributed to the emergence of the modern human mind?

Explores the people, ideas, and inventions behind the major scientific breakthroughs in astronomy, physics, anatomy, and mathematics. Examines scientific greats including Galileo, Kepler, and Brunelleschi, and discusses how the life of a scientist often conflicted with existing religious beliefs. DVD divided into chapters. Includes discussion questions and Spanish soundtrack option.

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.

Our appetite for the earth's resources and consumer goods has led to increased levels of carbon dioxide entering our atmosphere, trapping more heat from the sun and leading to global warming of the atmosphere.

Getting outdoors is one of the great pleasures in life. But our expeditions into natural environments can also cause real horror stories to unfold. Discarded rubbish causes the waterways to become clogged, a campfire can leave a nasty visual scar that can last for years. How can we avoid causing these problems? This program examines ways to minimise our impact when enjoying the outdoors.

An introduction to stem cells while assuming no prior knowledge, and covers the following topics: what stem cells are, the difference between embryonic and adult stem cells, IVF as a key source of embryonic stem cells, therapeutic cloning (somatic cell nuclear transfer), the difference between therapeutic and reproductive cloning, potential medical applications of stem cell research and a brief

This program tackles one of the most contentious areas of contemporary science: embryonic stem cell research. Different viewpoints are presented, and speakers include: Professor Alan Trounson, prominent stem cell scientist; Father Norman Ford, an ethics commentator; Patients with life-threatening medical conditions.

Any ecosystem needs energy to sustain it, and the organisms within it. This energy comes in massive quantities from the Sun, although only a tiny fraction of the solar energy hitting the Earth goes towards sustaining life. The flow of energy through an ecosystem is complex, and vital to sustaining all life within it.

This program begins with an explanation of nanotechnology, and then demonstrates micrometers and nanometers. Viewers will also examine the special properties of nanoparticles, the gecko effect, carbon nanotubes, surface energy; hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces as well as the lotus effect.

This awe-inspiring video shows of the process of human reproduction from conception to birth. It explains how mitosis and meiosis create genetic variation, how the ovum travels from the ovary to the uterus, how sperm pass the cervix, how one sperm achieves fertilization with the ovum, how the zygote begins cell differentiation, and how the embryo grows into a fetus ready for birth.

There is a lot of controversy around genetic modification of organisms and cloning. This program looks at the way man has modified genomes of plants and animals used for food since the dawn of agriculture. As knowledge of cells and genetics has increased so has man's ability to alter genomes.

Professor Alan Trounson is a distinguished Australian scientist. He was one of the pioneers of IVF treatment for infertile couples, and is now a leading international figure in stem cell research. He reviews a range of techniques and issues related to stem cell research, including: maker cell biology, gene expression and epigenetics, applications of genetics and epigenetics, ?blinking on?

An Introduction to Forensic Science' we delved into the day-to-day activities and tasks of real-life forensic scientists and compared these with typical TV stereotypes. But before you draw a conclusion that specialist forensics work must be dull, let?s put on our lab coats and get involved in the forensic investigation of a mock-up crime!

A 4 DVD set containing approximately 44 segments showing various science demonstrations or illustrations of abstract concepts that a classroom teacher may not be able to do because of financial, time, safety or equipment concerns. Most demonstrations are followed by animations to illustrate and explain the abstract concepts.
This DVD includes:

A 4 DVD set containing approximately 44 segments showing various science demonstrations or illustrations of abstract concepts that a classroom teacher may not be able to do because of financial, time, safety or equipment concerns. Most demonstrations are followed by animations to illustrate and explain the abstract concepts.
This DVD includes: