Explores the history of the United States Constitution and how this document embodies the ideals of American democracy and freedom. Explains the structure of the federal government and how the Constitution sets the standards for electing government officials, provides guidelines for writing laws, and outlines the freedoms guaranteed to all American citizens. An overview of the Bill of Rights and the constitutional amendments is presented.
Explores the historical significance of the United States Capitol in Washington D.C. Explains why this historic site is one of America's greatest symbols of democracy. Traces the building's history, from its early design to its imposing position on Capitol Hill. Provides an in depth tour of the Capitol building emphasizing why this national monument symbolizes the patriotism of the American people and the principles of a democratic government.
Audience: General, Grades 4-12. Subjects: Social Studies. 1992: The Horror In Bosnia, 1990's (2010)
Here we go on an extraordinary 600-mile journey through Finland. From Helsinki to the Arctic Circle, even at -30 our railway runs smoothly past the thickest of forests, stopping at stations frozen in time. Visit ice castles and even Santa Claus himself!
Features the history of two American symbols, which represent liberty and freedom. Reveals the story of the Liberty Bell, which rang out from Independence Hall at the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Also describes how the United States acquired the Statue Of Liberty, which has become the universal symbol of political freedom and democracy.
Audience: Students; Grades: 4-12; Subject Areas: History. (2003) Traces the history of Egypt from the Stone Age through the Middle Kingdom. Explains how the Egyptian civilization was affected by its geographical location. Discusses the development of the calendar and hieroglyphic writing during the Pre-Dynastic Period, as well as the establishment of Upper and Lower Egypt. Explains how King Narmer-Menes became the first king of the first dynasty after conquering Lower Egypt in 3100 BCE. Explains Egyptian religious beliefs and discusses pyramid construction, mummification, and the Sphinx. Describes the Middle Kingdom, during which a new middle class developed and Egypt traded with the Minoans. Briefly discusses the rise of the Hyksos, which marked the end of the Middle Kingdom.
Audience: Students; Grades: 4-12; Subject Areas: History. (2003) Discusses the rise of the Hyksos before Amos drove them from power in 1540 BCE, signaling the beginning of the New Kingdom. Covers the reigns of Hapshepsut, Thutmosis II, Akhenaten, Tutankamun, Rameses II, and Merenptah. Describes life in Egypt during the New Kingdom. Discusses Egypt's decline during the Late Period due to conflicts with Assyria and invasions by Kush and Persia. Explains how Alexander the Great became Pharoah during the Ptolemic Period, and tells the story of Queen Cleopatra. Explains the significance of the Rosetta stone, the Suez Canal, and the Aswan High Dam. Concludes with a look at some of Egypt's most important antiquities.
Audience: Students; Grades: 4-12; Subject Areas: History. (2003) Describes how the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers affected the early Mesopotamian civilization. Looks at the food, tools, and pottery of the early Mesopotamians as well as their innovations, which include irrigation, the wheel, clay pottery, clay bricks, and cuneiform writing. Explores the social structure of Mesopotamian society. Describes Sumerian culture and religious beliefs. Discusses the rise of Agadian King Sargon, who unified all of Mesopotamia, and the Sumerian King Ur-Nammu, who wrote the first code of laws.
Audience: Students; Grades: 4-12; Subject Areas: History. (2003) Chronicles the rise and fall of ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia. Discusses the Babylonian civilization, Hammurabi's reign, and Hammurabi's code of law. Chronicles the history of Babylonian invasions by the Hittites, Kassites, Elamites, and Assyrians. Shows how the Assyrian territory expanded under the rule of Tiglath Pileser the First, Sargon II, and Esarhaddon. Discusses the Chaldean conquer of Assyria and Nebuchanezzar's rule, during which he ordered the siege of Jerusalem and built the hanging gardens of Babylon. Tells the story of Alexander the Great's conquer of Babylon on the way to Persia, after which he established it as his capital city. Also discusses modern day Iraq and the Persian Gulf War.
Audience: Students; Grades: 4-12; Subject Areas: History. (2003) Discusses the discovery of the Peking man and describes Chinese civilization during the neolithic period. Covers the Shang dynasty, during which silk was first produced; the Zhou Dynasty, during which Confucianism and ancestor worship were first practiced; the Chin Dynasty, during which Qin Shihuangdi standardized the Chinese language, created laws, built the Great Wall, and assembled the terracotta army for his tomb; and the Han Dynasty, during which the traders traveled on the Silk Road and Buddhism was introduced. Tells the story of the Three Kingdoms following the Han Dynasty and discusses the emergence of the Sui Dynasty.
Audience: Students; Grades: 4-12; Subject Areas: History. (2003) Chronicles the history of China from the Song Dynasty through today. Covers the Sui Dynasty, during which the Grand Canal was built; the Northern Song Dynasty, during which paper currency and gunpowder were created; the Southern Song Dynasty, which established a new Chinese navy and the Southern Song school of landscape painting; the Yuan Dynasty, during which China was opened to foreigners; the Ming Dynasty, which established the Forbidden City and encouraged the arts; and the Qing Dynasty, during which the Opium Wars were fought. Discusses the Civil War of 1911, the People's Republic of China, the Tiananmen Square Incident, the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army, and the Grand Canal.
Audience: Students; Grades: 9-12; Subject Areas: Career/Life Skills. (2019) Helena will talk with a victim's advocate and hear how she provides needed support to victims of crime so they can get through the traumatic period following the crime. Then Shawn will visit a children's hospital where he meets a respiratory therapist. He'll learn about the some of the treatments he uses to help his patients breathe freely. It is important that judges make the best decision on a case. Helena will talk with an attorney who assists a judge by researching the law as a judicial law clerk.
Audience: Students; Grades: K-8; Subject: Music. (1998) Introduces 10-year-old Esraa, who lives in Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Esraa shares her passion for singing. Follows Esraa as she takes music lessons at the Royal Society of Arts, where she and the rest of her class are rehearsing for their Mothers' Day concert.
Audience: Students; Grades: K-8; Subject: Music. (1998) Introduces 11-year-old Mohammed who lives in Assuan, in southern Egypt and plays the dof, a traditional tambourine. Mohammed sits in his cockleshell and earns pocket money by playing and singing to tourists as they pass by in feluccas.
Audience: Students; Grades: K-8; Subject: Music. (1998) Introduces 9-year-old Hed, who lives in Israel. Hed shares her dream of becoming an opera singer. Joins Hed as she sings soprano with the the Tel Aviv Philharmonic Orchestra.
Audience: Students; Grades: K-8; Subject: Music. (1998) Twelve-year-old Safi lives in the Galilee and plays the traditional Arab drum known as a darbuka. Safi and his friends have organized a band, but his debut as a musician comes when he plays his darbuka with his father's band.
Following the process of adapting a classic ballet into a "Hawaiianized" version that reflects the history of the Hawaiian Monarchy under the last Queen of the islands and the location of historic Washington Place by Ballet Hawaii.
It began when revolutionaries stormed a prison called the Bastille. What were the underlying causes for the revolution? What was the Reign of Terror? Who was Maximilian de Robespierre? Then we take a look at the aftermath of the French Revolution and the impact it had on other political ideologies and governments to better understand why this dramatic period was so important in history.
We begin with the birth of the Nation and what led to the Declaration of Independence. How is it that thirteen small colonies in North America were able to succeed ? against a global power such as Great Britain? Learn about the seven-year war, the Boston Tea Party and the origin of the Declaration of Independence. Concepts such as triangular trade, the Founding Fathers, separatists and federalists are presented. Once the War of Independence was won, why did it take years to write the Constitution? And what was life like afterwards, and how did Native Americans and slaves fare? It is these events that shaped the America of today.
The Russian Revolution, actually two rebellions, was a revolution that destroyed the Tsarist autocracy, and helped create the Soviet Union. Learn about Lenin, the Bolsheviks, communism, the notorious Rasputin, rumors of cannibalism, and acute poverty. All of which led to a revolution, a coup d??tat and a civil war.
Audience: Students; Grades: K-3; Subject: Language Arts, Fine Arts. (2007) A mixed media artist tells a tale from India about a boy who can't resist eating a tray of eight cakes he was to take to his master, the monk Luntika.
Audience: Students; Grades: 4-12; Subject Areas: Sustainability, STEM. (2020) In this episode: Fertilizer from poultry waste, ancient shark in 3D, an intelligent desk, WIFIRE, solar superstorms, Alaska Fire and Ice, what you never learned about mass, and more
The island of Komodo in Indonesia looks like a lost paradise. But watch your step! A strange animal that can dispatch a goat or a person in two seconds flat is the dominant predator: the Komodo dragon, the largest lizard on earth. Incredibly, they live in close proximity to the islanders who subscribe to an ancient legend that says the dragons share family ties with people and are, in fact, members of the community. The crew of Sedna IV shares daily life with these islanders who have learned to live with one of the fiercest predators on the planet? one that has already claimed its share of victims.
An extraordinary journey to the heart of the great whales of the Gulf of St. Lawrence! Jean Lemire and the crew of the SEDNA IV sailing ship accompany scientists in their research to better understand the movements of whales in the St. Lawrence. After more than 30 years of dedication and research, the researchers managed to follow the first migratory routes of the largest animal in history, the blue whale.
Audience: Students; Grades: 6-12; Subject Areas: Science. (2014) Designing Life. Man has been doing it for over 10,000 years. You may not be aware of it, but we are surrounded by "Superlife," life-forms manipulated by Man. Superlife looks at the stories of how these super organisms came to permeate our planet, and how the latest science is pushing the boundaries to create more with less time and resources and at a higher quality. Note- Superlife explores the science of how mankind is manipulating life for its benefit. The series does not attempt to address the concerns surrounding cloning, genetically modified organisms or the ethics of certain farming practices.
Audience: Students; Grades: 6-12; Subject Areas: Science. (2014) Designing Life. Man has been doing it for over 10,000 years. You may not be aware of it, but we are surrounded by "Superlife," life-forms manipulated by Man. Superlife looks at the stories of how these super organisms came to permeate our planet, and how the latest science is pushing the boundaries to create more with less time and resources and at a higher quality. Note- Superlife explores the science of how mankind is manipulating life for its benefit. The series does not attempt to address the concerns surrounding cloning, genetically modified organisms or the ethics of certain farming practices.
Audience: Students; Grades: 6-12; Subject Areas: Science. (2014) Designing Life. Man has been doing it for over 10,000 years. You may not be aware of it, but we are surrounded by "Superlife," life-forms manipulated by Man. Superlife looks at the stories of how these super organisms came to permeate our planet, and how the latest science is pushing the boundaries to create more with less time and resources and at a higher quality. Note- Superlife explores the science of how mankind is manipulating life for its benefit. The series does not attempt to address the concerns surrounding cloning, genetically modified organisms or the ethics of certain farming practices.
Celebrating the most epic landscapes on Earth! Mountains and Life journeys to the rooftop places of our world to meet the people who cherish, honour, and fight for them. From farmers, artists, and rescue teams, to scientists, musicians, and monks, this series reveals the different ways these mountain-dwellers have adapted to the high life. Narrated by Matthew Gravelle (Broadchurch), Mountains and Life combines stunning photography with thoughtful storytelling to create an emotional engagement with the soaring peaks of the Himalayas, the Andes, the Alps, and beyond.
The research in this program focuses on how the East and West view the world. Westerners tend to focus on objects in a scene independently of each other. Easterners view the whole and the interaction between objects. In each instance, different parts of the brain are activated and different conclusions drawn. This effects everyday life such as: Language- "More tea?" (West/object) versus "Drink more?" (East/interaction with object) Character- "He is mean" (West/individual) versus "He had a bad day"( East/effect of others)
Perspective of self and others is explored. The West is more ego-centric and individualistic, seeing from the observers point of view. The East tends to be retrospective, considering what others think. For example, in the West you would give lots of drink choices, allowing individual choice. In the East it is polite to consider the persons favorite drink and offer that. This perspective leads the West to value the self whereas the East places importance on the group.
Audience: Students; Grades: 9-12; Subject Areas: Social Studies. (2013) Culture series on what makes Hawaii's local "mixing bowl" of ethnic backgrounds. From the arrivals of the first immigrants to today's social and cultural organizations and associations. This episode on Japanese Americans in Hawaii features archival footage of the Issei (first generation) plantation workers as well as Nissei (second generation) war heroes of the 100th Battalion/442nd Infantry. Interviews include the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii United Okinawa Association, Dr. Jonathan Okamura (author of The Japanese American Contemporary Experience in Hawai'i) and Dennis Ogawa (author of Jan Ken Po: The World of Hawaii's Japanese Americans).
Audience: Students; Grades: 9-12; Subject Areas: Social Studies. (2013) Culture series on what makes Hawaii's local "mixing bowl" of ethnic backgrounds. From the arrivals of the first immigrants to today's social and cultural organizations and associations. This episode on Chinese Americans in Hawaii features archival footage of the early Honolulu Harbor and Chinatown fires. Interviews include the Chinese Lion Dance Association, Dr. Franklin Ng (professor at California State University at Fresno Department of Ethnic Studies), and James G.Y. Ho (Hawaiian Chinese Multicultural Museum & Archives).
Audience: Students; Grades: 9-12; Subject Areas: Social Studies. (2014) Culture series on what makes Hawaii's local "mixing bowl" of ethnic backgrounds. From the arrivals of the first immigrants to today's social and cultural organizations and associations. This episode on Filipino Americans in Hawaii features archival footage of the early plantation workers, known as sakadas. Interviews include Dr. Belinda A. Aquino (Professor Emeritus and former Director of the Center for Philippine Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa), Dr. Raymund Liongson (Associate Professor & Coordinator of Asian & Philippine Studies at University of Hawaii Leeward Community College), Dr. Vina A. Lanzona (Current Director of the Center for Philippine Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa), and a visit to the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu.
Audience: Students; Grades: K-5; Subject Areas: Fine Arts. (1999) Mark draws baby birds while demonstrating the Renaissance words overlapping and bonus. He also reviews an English porcelain dish named "Hen and Chick Tureen." Guest artist Rudy Lovato, Jr. does a jungle scene using an air brush.
Audience: Students; Grades: K-5; Subject Areas: Fine Arts. (1999) Mark draws a manatee while demonstrating the Renaissance words shading and contour. He also reviews the painting "The Point de Roches" by the impressionist Claude Monet. Guest animator Doug Dubosque creates a scuba diving monkey.
Grades: All; Subject areas: Fine Arts. Guest artist Scott Goto demonstrates design elements in designing a book cover using colored pens and pencils.
Grades: All; Subject areas: Fine Arts. Guest artist Jodi Endicott incorporates the element of style in a shoe sculpture made of aluminum foil.
Audience: Students; Grades: 6-12; Subject: Fine Arts. (2011) At beautiful Makapu'u on O'ahu, award winning artist Mark Brown shows how to create an "en plein air" painting at the cliffs of Makapu'u overlooking the scenic Waimamalo shoreline.
Audience: Students; Grades: 4-12; Subject Areas: Sustainability, STEM. (2020) In this episode: Fertilizer from poultry waste, ancient shark in 3D, an intelligent desk, WIFIRE, solar superstorms, Alaska Fire and Ice, what you never learned about mass, and more
The island of Komodo in Indonesia looks like a lost paradise. But watch your step! A strange animal that can dispatch a goat or a person in two seconds flat is the dominant predator: the Komodo dragon, the largest lizard on earth. Incredibly, they live in close proximity to the islanders who subscribe to an ancient legend that says the dragons share family ties with people and are, in fact, members of the community. The crew of Sedna IV shares daily life with these islanders who have learned to live with one of the fiercest predators on the planet? one that has already claimed its share of victims.
An extraordinary journey to the heart of the great whales of the Gulf of St. Lawrence! Jean Lemire and the crew of the SEDNA IV sailing ship accompany scientists in their research to better understand the movements of whales in the St. Lawrence. After more than 30 years of dedication and research, the researchers managed to follow the first migratory routes of the largest animal in history, the blue whale.
Audience: Students; Grades: 6-12; Subject Areas: Science. (2014) Designing Life. Man has been doing it for over 10,000 years. You may not be aware of it, but we are surrounded by "Superlife," life-forms manipulated by Man. Superlife looks at the stories of how these super organisms came to permeate our planet, and how the latest science is pushing the boundaries to create more with less time and resources and at a higher quality. Note- Superlife explores the science of how mankind is manipulating life for its benefit. The series does not attempt to address the concerns surrounding cloning, genetically modified organisms or the ethics of certain farming practices.
Audience: Students; Grades: 6-12; Subject Areas: Science. (2014) Designing Life. Man has been doing it for over 10,000 years. You may not be aware of it, but we are surrounded by "Superlife," life-forms manipulated by Man. Superlife looks at the stories of how these super organisms came to permeate our planet, and how the latest science is pushing the boundaries to create more with less time and resources and at a higher quality. Note- Superlife explores the science of how mankind is manipulating life for its benefit. The series does not attempt to address the concerns surrounding cloning, genetically modified organisms or the ethics of certain farming practices.
Audience: Students; Grades: 6-12; Subject Areas: Science. (2014) Designing Life. Man has been doing it for over 10,000 years. You may not be aware of it, but we are surrounded by "Superlife," life-forms manipulated by Man. Superlife looks at the stories of how these super organisms came to permeate our planet, and how the latest science is pushing the boundaries to create more with less time and resources and at a higher quality. Note- Superlife explores the science of how mankind is manipulating life for its benefit. The series does not attempt to address the concerns surrounding cloning, genetically modified organisms or the ethics of certain farming practices.
Celebrating the most epic landscapes on Earth! Mountains and Life journeys to the rooftop places of our world to meet the people who cherish, honour, and fight for them. From farmers, artists, and rescue teams, to scientists, musicians, and monks, this series reveals the different ways these mountain-dwellers have adapted to the high life. Narrated by Matthew Gravelle (Broadchurch), Mountains and Life combines stunning photography with thoughtful storytelling to create an emotional engagement with the soaring peaks of the Himalayas, the Andes, the Alps, and beyond.