Exploring World National Parks: Wolves, Fiords, and Volcanoes

SciShow Kids

In this engaging episode of the Sci Kids Show, host Jessi and her robot friend Squeaks take viewers on a virtual tour of three spectacular national parks around the world: Yellowstone in the USA, Fiordland in New Zealand, and Vatnajökull in Iceland. The video uses Squeaks' "vacation photos" as a framing device to explore the unique history, ecology, and geology of these diverse locations. From the reintroduction of wolves in North America to the glacial carvings of New Zealand and the fire-and-ice landscapes of Iceland, the video provides a comprehensive look at how natural forces and human intervention shape the environment. The content covers a wide range of scientific themes, including ecosystem dynamics and trophic cascades, geological formations like fiords and volcanoes, and the theory of plate tectonics. It delves into the concept of apex predators and their role in maintaining ecological balance, defines endemic species, and explains how glaciers shape the land over millennia. Additionally, the video touches on the historical context of national parks, acknowledging Indigenous history and the impact of human settlement on wildlife. This video is an excellent resource for elementary science and geography classrooms. It breaks down complex concepts like food webs and tectonic plate movement into accessible, bite-sized lessons supported by clear visuals and maps. Teachers can use this video to launch units on conservation, earth science, or biomes, offering students concrete, real-world examples of how biological and geological systems interact.