Changes of State

In this engaging science demonstration, the host Anthony and his robot mouse companion Squeaks explore why we put salt on sidewalks during winter. Through a simple comparative experiment using two cups of water—one with salt and one without—placed in a freezer, the video visually demonstrates how salt affects the freezing process of water. The experiment clearly shows that while fresh water freezes into solid ice at standard temperatures, saltwater remains liquid. The video introduces key chemistry and physics concepts including states of matter (solids and liquids), freezing points, and freezing point depression. It explains that water normally freezes at 0°C (32°F), but adding salt lowers this temperature threshold, requiring much colder conditions for ice to form. This scientific principle is then directly applied to the real-world scenario of keeping sidewalks safe for walking. Finally, the video encourages critical thinking about the environmental impact of using salt, noting how runoff can harm local waterways. This leads to an open-ended inquiry prompt where students are encouraged to design their own experiments to test eco-friendly alternatives like sand, sugar, or rocks, making it an excellent springboard for classroom hands-on learning.

In this engaging episode of SciShow Kids, host Jessi and her robot mouse friend Squeaks demonstrate how to make homemade ice cream using basic kitchen ingredients and the power of chemistry. The video guides viewers through a hands-on experiment that transforms liquid cream into solid ice cream without using a freezer, relying instead on a chemical reaction between ice and salt. The content focuses heavily on the scientific concepts of states of matter and freezing point depression. It explains in accessible terms why salt is added to ice (similar to salting icy roads in winter) and how this process lowers the freezing temperature of water. The video uses clear animations to visualize how melting ice draws heat away from the cream mixture, allowing it to freeze rapidly. This video is an excellent resource for elementary science classrooms as it combines a fun, edible reward with rigorous scientific inquiry. It provides a perfect practical application for lessons on phase changes, temperature, and following procedural texts. Teachers can use this video to introduce thermodynamics or simply as a guide for a beloved classroom activity that reinforces measuring skills and observation.

This educational video explores the science behind how matter changes between solid, liquid, and gas states through the addition and removal of heat energy. Using the relatable example of melting ice cream, the instructor guides students through the molecular behavior of matter, explaining how atoms speed up and spread apart when heated (melting, evaporation) and slow down and condense when heat is removed (condensation, freezing). The video effectively uses particle animations to visualize these invisible processes, making abstract concepts concrete for young learners. Key themes include the relationship between heat energy and particle movement, the specific terms for phase changes (melting, freezing, evaporation, boiling, condensation), and the distinction between "cold" as an energy versus the absence of heat. The instructor also addresses the conservation of mass, demonstrating that while matter changes form, its amount remains constant. This resource is highly valuable for elementary science classrooms as it covers core physical science standards regarding states of matter. It provides clear definitions, addresses common misconceptions about "cold energy," and connects scientific concepts to everyday phenomena like drying towels, morning dew, and boiling water. The built-in pauses for note-taking and reflection make it an excellent interactive tool for direct instruction or independent study.

In this engaging episode of SciShow Kids, host Jessi and her robot friend Squeaks explore the concept of recycling through a practical problem: Squeaks' crayons are worn down and difficult to use. Instead of throwing them away, Jessi proposes recycling them, using this as a jumping-off point to explain waste management. The video breaks down complex topics like landfills, decomposition rates of different materials (food vs. plastic vs. glass), and the environmental importance of reducing waste.

This educational video provides a comprehensive introduction to thermal physics, bridging the gap between macroscopic observations and microscopic atomic behavior. It begins by defining thermal energy as a form of kinetic energy, using clear animations to show how particle motion increases with temperature. The lesson progresses through practical concepts including temperature scales, thermal equilibrium, and the three primary methods of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation. The video also explores the states of matter, introducing plasma and explaining how phase changes occur as energy is added. A significant portion of the video is dedicated to explaining the three Laws of Thermodynamics in accessible terms, using real-world analogies like the decaying Colosseum to explain entropy. The content connects abstract physics concepts to tangible examples like molten iron, boiling water, and pottery kilns. This resource is highly valuable for middle and high school science classrooms as it visually demonstrates concepts that are often difficult for students to conceptualize, such as atomic vibration and entropy. Teachers can use this video to introduce a unit on thermodynamics, reinforce vocabulary around heat transfer, or visually demonstrate the relationship between kinetic energy and temperature.

In this comprehensive compilation from SciShow Kids, Jessi and her robot rat friend Squeaks take students on a journey to explore everything about Earth's water. The video is divided into three distinct segments: first, investigating where the water in our faucets comes from by exploring groundwater, rivers, oceans, and glaciers; second, a debate between puppet characters Bill and Webb about whether wind or water is a stronger force of nature, leading to a lesson on erosion and landforms; and third, a theatrical performance that dramatizes the stages of the water cycle. Key themes include the geography of water (rivers, lakes, oceans), the states of matter (liquid water, solid ice, water vapor), and the geological forces of erosion and weathering. The video covers specific landforms like the Grand Canyon, sand dunes, and stone arches, explaining how they were formed over millions of years. It also breaks down the water cycle into its four main components: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection, using a play-within-a-video format to model these abstract concepts. This video is highly valuable for elementary science classrooms as it connects everyday experiences (turning on a tap, seeing rain) to global systems. It models scientific inquiry through Squeaks' hypothesis testing and uses engaging visual aids—including maps, real-world footage, and puppetry—to make complex topics like geological time and phase changes accessible. The variety of segments allows teachers to use the video as a whole or break it down to teach specific units on hydrology, geology, or weather.

Have you ever accidentally let go of a helium balloon and watched it float away into the sky? In this episode of SciShow Kids, Jessi and her robot rat friend Squeaks explore the science behind that very moment. They explain exactly why helium balloons float while other objects don't, using a simple and effective analogy involving a spoon in a bowl of water to demonstrate the concept of density and buoyancy in a way young learners can grasp. The video takes students on a journey upwards through the atmosphere, investigating how conditions change as altitude increases. It covers key physical science concepts including air pressure (described as air spreading out), the properties of gases like helium, and atmospheric temperature changes. Viewers learn about the material science of rubber, seeing how it stretches when gas expands and becomes brittle when exposed to freezing temperatures at high altitudes. Beyond the physics, the video provides a crucial lesson in environmental stewardship. It explains the eventual fate of all balloons—popping or shattering and falling back to Earth—and the specific dangers this litter poses to wildlife who might mistake it for food. This combination of physics, earth science, and environmental responsibility makes it an excellent resource for discussing properties of matter, the atmosphere, and human impact on the environment.

This engaging video from Sci Kids! takes young learners on a tasty trip to the carnival to uncover the science behind a favorite treat: cotton candy. Hosted by Anthony and his robot friend Squeaks, the episode demystifies how hard, crunchy sugar crystals are transformed into soft, fluffy clouds. Through clear explanations and helpful animations, the video breaks down the physical changes that occur when sugar is heated and spun.

This educational animation explores the three states of water—solid, liquid, and gas—and the scientific processes that cause transitions between them. The video explains how temperature changes drive these transformations, providing specific data points in both Fahrenheit and Celsius for freezing and boiling points. Through clear visuals and narration, it breaks down complex concepts like evaporation, condensation, melting, and freezing into easily digestible segments suitable for young learners. Key themes include the physical properties of matter, the influence of thermal energy on state changes, and the cyclical nature of these transitions. The video introduces essential scientific vocabulary such as "water vapor," "condensation," and "evaporation," reinforcing these terms with a visual summary that maps the complete cycle of changes. It also touches upon Earth science concepts by noting how much of the planet is covered by water. For educators, this video serves as an excellent foundational tool for science units on matter or the water cycle. The clear visual representation of a thermometer alongside the phase changes helps students connect abstract temperature numbers to observable physical changes. The step-by-step breakdown allows teachers to pause and discuss each transition individually, making it easy to facilitate predictions and check for understanding regarding how heating and cooling affect matter.

Join Jessi and Squeaks the Robot Mouse in this engaging science lesson that uncovers the surprising origins of glass. The video explains how common beach sand is transformed through extreme heat into the clear, solid material we use every day. By using analogies like melting ice and performing a kid-friendly experiment with sugar, the host demonstrates how granular solids can turn into liquids and cool back down into smooth solids. The content covers fundamental chemistry and physics concepts including states of matter (solids and liquids), phase changes (melting and cooling), and the process of recycling. It simplifies the industrial manufacturing process of glass by comparing it to volcanic heat, making complex engineering concepts accessible to young learners. This video is an excellent resource for elementary science units on materials, properties of matter, or natural resources. Teachers can use the featured "edible glass" experiment as a hands-on classroom activity or a demonstration to reinforce the concept of how heat changes the physical properties of materials without changing what they are made of.

In this engaging episode of SciShow Kids, host Jessi and her robot friend Squeaks explore the science behind the white trails that jet planes leave in the sky. Starting with a relatable activity of cloud gazing, the video transitions into identifying these man-made clouds, known as contrails or condensation trails. Jessi uses clear, age-appropriate analogies—like breathing on a cold window or seeing your breath on a winter day—to explain complex concepts involving temperature, condensation, and states of matter. The video breaks down the mechanics of jet engines, explaining that they produce exhaust containing heat and invisible water vapor. It connects this to the atmospheric conditions at high altitudes, where the air is extremely cold. The core scientific principle demonstrated is condensation: how hot water vapor turns into visible water droplets or ice crystals when it meets cold air, creating the "cloud" we see behind the plane. This resource is highly valuable for early elementary science classrooms as it introduces foundational concepts of physics and meteorology through everyday observations. It encourages student curiosity about the sky and provides a concrete understanding of abstract concepts like water vapor and exhaust. Teachers can use this video to launch units on the water cycle, states of matter (gas to liquid/solid), or weather, making science feel accessible and relevant to students' daily lives.

This animated video takes students inside a 'Virtual Science Lab' to demonstrate the four primary changes in states of matter using water as the subject. Through a clear, step-by-step experiment, the narrator guides viewers through the processes of melting, evaporation, condensation, and freezing. The video uses simple laboratory equipment—a beaker, burner, and cooling plate—to visually represent how adding or removing heat energy transforms matter from solid to liquid to gas and back again.