TED-Ed

Deep brain stimulation is becoming very precise. This technique allows surgeons to place electrodes in almost any area of the brain, and turn them up or down -- like a radio dial or thermostat -- to correct dysfunction. Andres Lozano offers a dramatic look at emerging techniques, in which a woman with Parkinson's instantly stops shaking and brain areas eroded by Alzheimer's are brought back to lif...

View full lesson here: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/mark-salata-how-taking-a-bath-led-to-archimedes-principleStories of discovery and invention often begin with a problem that needs solving. Summoned by the king to investigate a suspicious goldsmith, the early Greek mathematician Archimedes stumbles upon the principle that would make him famous. Lesson by Amdon Consulting's Mark Salata, animation by...

Explore the sustainability of fossil fuels, nuclear power, and renewable energy and how much space each of these power sources use.--No matter how we make electricity, it takes up space. Coal requires mines, and plants to convert it into electricity. Nuclear power takes uranium mines, facilities to refine it, a reactor, and a place to store the spent fuel safely. Renewable energy needs wind turbin...

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-history-of-keeping-timeWhere did time-telling come from? What are time zones and why are there so many of them? Get the answers to these questions and more in this journey through the history of time -- from sundials to hourglasses to modern clocks. Lesson by Karen Mensing, animation by Avi Ofer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a...

Dig into what causes the tip of the tongue phenomenon, where your brain struggles to recall a word or term from memory.--You’re sure you know your 3rd grade teacher’s name— it’s like you’re hovering over it in your mind, but it just won’t materialize. Researchers call this tantalizing torment a “tip-of-the-tongue state,” and it’s something everyone experiences. But what’s actually happening when a...

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/jackie-jenkins-greeting-the-world-in-peaceConflict and cultural clashes are a part of our global reality, but so is the universal desire for peace. From Bangladesh to Myanmar to Lesotho, discover this inspiring common sentiment in traditional greetings of peace. Lesson by Jackie Jenkins, animation by TED-Ed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph...

Explore what we know about seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and find out the best way to treat these behavioral changes.--As winter approaches, shorter days spark a cascade of changes within the brains of animals. As a result, groundhogs retreat to their burrows for hibernation, weasels’ coats turn from brown to white, and birds cease their singing. And scientists are finding that seasonal behav...

Dig into the bitter history of kola nuts, a sacred ingredient in West African culture and part of Coca-Cola's original recipe.--The kola nut is the seed of the kola tree, a small evergreen native to the forests of West Africa, where it’s long been integral to the cultural fabric of many communities. So, how did this sacred ingredient end up all around the world? And how did it make its way into th...

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/victor-wooten-music-as-a-languageMusic is a powerful communication tool--it causes us to laugh, cry, think and question. Bassist and five-time Grammy winner, Victor Wooten, asks us to approach music the same way we learn verbal language--by embracing mistakes and playing as often as possible. Lesson by Victor Wooten, produced by TED-Ed. Learn more about...

Trace the origins of zombies from the Afro-Haitian religion of vodou, and discover how zombification was a reflection of slavery.--Zombies have a distinct lineage— one that traces back to Equatorial and Central Africa. For three centuries, African people were enslaved and brought to the Caribbean Islands. There, a religion known as vodou developed, along with the belief that a person’s soul can be...

Alexander the Great transformed the world during his reign — but was he an embattled leader, or a ruthless conqueror?--Alexander the Great fundamentally transformed the world during his 13-year reign. He conquered Persia when it was one of the world’s largest empires, and he was considered a living demi-god by Egyptians and Greeks. But was he a brilliant, embattled leader, or a ruthless, power-hun...

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-shape-shifting-future-of-the-mobile-phone-fabian-hemmertFabian Hemmert demos one future of the mobile phone -- a shape-shifting and weight-shifting handset that "displays" information nonvisually, offering a delightfully intuitive way to communicate. (Filmed at TEDxBerlin.)Talk by Fabian Hemmert. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a...

Get to know the myth of the weaver and the cowherd, a pair of star-crossed lovers banished to opposite sides of the Milky Way.--In the court of the Jade Emperor, a young princess had a special skill: she could pluck clouds from the sky and spin them into the softest robes. But her craft was the same day after day, and she longed for new inspiration. So the Queen Mother granted her permission to vi...

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/leigh-nataro-what-happens-if-you-guessWill it rain tomorrow? How likely is your favorite team to win the Super Bowl? Questions like these are answered through the mathematics of probability. Watch this artistic visualization of your odds of passing a test if you don't know any of the answers. Lesson by Leigh Nataro, animation by Matthew Saunders. Learn m...

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-do-nerves-workAt any moment, there is an electrical storm coursing through your body. Discover how chemical reactions create an electric current that drives our responses to everything from hot pans to a mother's caress. Lesson by Elliot Krane, animation by TED-Ed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dig into the history of comic books and graphic novels in education, and explore their potential for helping kids learn.--In the 1940s, comic books became a mass medium, with millions of copies selling every month. Teachers even began experimenting by bringing comics into their classrooms. So, can comic books and graphic novels really help you learn? Gene Luen Yang explores the history of comics i...

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/michele-weldon-capturing-authentic-narrativesJournalism can be much more than reporting. An authentic, human narrative touches audiences and keeps them reading. Learn how to shape a human-centered news story, and the importance of facts, context and heart. Lesson by Michele Weldon, animation by Augenblick Studios. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

Professional musicians share how they chose their instruments, and what you should consider when choosing what to play.--"Think Like A Musician" connects you with working musicians who want to help the music-curious and music-passionate hone and share the gift of music with the world. Part interview, part animated course, our first season "Think Like A Performer" features artists sharing their ins...

Professional musicians share the key components of being a great performer and what it means to have stage presence.--"Think Like A Musician" connects you with working musicians who want to help the music-curious and music-passionate hone and share the gift of music with the world. Part interview, part animated course, our first season "Think Like A Performer" features artists sharing their insigh...

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-big-is-infinityUsing the fundamentals of set theory, explore the mind-bending concept of the "infinity of infinities" -- and how it led mathematicians to conclude that math itself contains unanswerable questions. Lesson by Dennis Wildfogel, animation by Augenblick Studios. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dig into the discovery of antidepressant drugs, how they work, and what we still don’t know about depression.--In the 1950s, the discovery of two new drugs sparked what would become a multi-billion dollar market for antidepressants. Neither drug was intended to treat depression at all— many doctors and scientists believed psychotherapy was the only approach to treatment. Neil R. Jeyasingam details...

Dig into Edo, Japan’s circular economy, and how it helped transform the city into a thriving ecological and cultural center.--400 years ago, Edo was on the verge of ecological collapse. Years of intense logging had led to massive deforestation and the city faced timber shortages, severe erosion, and frequent flooding. But over just a few decades, Edo became one of the most sustainable and efficien...

Why do we ever stop playing and creating? With charm and humor, celebrated Korean author Young-ha Kim invokes the world's greatest artists to urge you to unleash your inner child -- the artist who wanted to play forever. (Filmed at TEDxSeoul.)Talk by Young-ha Kim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The feeling of security and the reality of security don't always match, says computer-security expert Bruce Schneier. In his talk, he explains why we spend billions addressing news story risks, like the "security theater" now playing at your local airport, while neglecting more probable risks -- and how we can break this pattern. (Filmed at TEDxPSU.)Talk by Bruce Schneier. Learn more about your ad...

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/jessica-wise-how-fiction-can-change-realityReading and stories can be an escape from real life, a window into another world -- but have you ever considered how new fictional experiences might change your perspective on real, everyday life? From "Pride and Prejudice" to Harry Potter, learn how popular fiction can spark public dialogue and shape culture. L...