WGBH

The video podcasts that you can find iTunes from the WGBH provider offer material that is divided by grade levels. The videos are based on forms of Science;from Life Sciences to Earth Sciences. Some of the videos that I watched for grades K-5 included videos on infrared light and videos that allowed you observe clouds and precipitation. I thought that they were very interesting. I learned how infrared works and that it captures light that is given off by temperature; which is is different from visible light. I could use this video in my classroom when discussing wavelengths, temperature, energy, and astronomy. What I learned about Astronomy from the video was that Astronomers can use infrared to see planets outside of our solar system since they do not give off their own light. The observation videos on clouds and precipitation are great for the younger grades and they can view the video while thinking of what they are learning.

The podcast links that are available for grades 6-8 were very informative. When you click on the download you are brought to a pdf document that gives video information on the topic, discussion questions, and background information. Then you click on the link to watch the video that is very interesting. One of the videos that I watched, after viewing the information in pdf (printable) format, was How the Body Responds to Exercise. It discussed cardiovascular process and how the heart, lungs, and muscles work together, while explaining the importance of exercise. Great for Science integration once again making learning relevant to real life.

Booming Dunes was another cool video, with plenty of background information, that explained the booming sound that sound dunes made. Below the loose sand is a harder more compact layer that creates tension between the layers. The sun decreases this tension and then wind or movements can cause an 'avalanche' of sand in which the potential energy turns into kinetic energy. The point is the video offered really cool information using key concepts in Science.