16:54
The Serious Science of Humor
Author Scott Weems lets us in on the jokes and uncovers the science of humor.
Why Do We Find Things Funny?
An excerpt from “Ha! The Science of When We Laugh and Why” by Scott Weems.
34:47
The Origins of Violence
An anthropologist, a psychologist, and a crime writer ask: Are humans hard-wired for violence?
10:01
Could a Blood Test Help Diagnose Alzheimer’s?
In a preliminary study, researchers identified 10 lipids in the blood that correlated with an increased risk for Alzheimer’s.
How Scientists Are Learning to Read Our Minds
An excerpt from “The Future of the Mind.”
Zip Line Zoo
In this activity from Bedtime Math, you’ll build a stuffed-animal zip line and practice measuring time, distance, and angles.
29:13
On Social Media, the Kids Are All Right
In “It’s Complicated”, Internet scholar Danah Boyd debunks myths about teens’ online lives.
For Privacy, Teens Use Encoded Messages Online
This excerpt from “It’s Complicated” explores how advances in technology afford teens new ways of communicating secretively.
Test the Finger Wrinkle Hypothesis
Perform an experiment to determine whether smooth or wrinkled fingers are better at holding wet objects. The experiment requires only a water bottle, paperclip, and plastic ruler.
Downloads: Video, student data sheet, illustrated instructions
Out Of The Bottle: Wine Psychology
How do expectations, environment, and social cues fool us into believing that our wine tastes better or worse than it is?