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Video

Density Simulation (sk-Intel)

This resource is in the style of an 'authentic' scientific investigation. The investigation is set in a crime lab where finding the densities of the various items can solve the crime. The tool enables students to explore mass and volume for a variety of solids and liquids and hence determine their densities.

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Giant Cuttlefish

This 12 minute video segment from Catalyst outlines the fascinating and unique features of the giant cuttlefish and its mass breeding at Point Lowly. Then it explains how scientists have determined the vulnerability of this species- the fact that the eggs are sensitive to high levels of salinity and the fact that they die ...

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The Reaction of Metals with Acid

Students use this simulation to learn that react with hydrochloric acid to produce salt and hydrogen and find out how to test for hydrogen gas. The notice that sodium reacts violently and that magnesium reacts more quickly than zinc but that the hydrogen gas test is positive for both. Word equations are provided for all reactions.

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Aerial Orang Utans

This 11 minute video segment form Catalyst shows that although the orang-utans of Borneo are threatened with extinction, we don't know exactly how many are left or where they are. The use of helicopters to locate their nests and estimate population size has helped to challenge our thinking about the requirements of this ...

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Grand Daddy Fish

This six and a half minute video segment from Catalyst demonstrates how we draw inferences from observations of fossils. Fossil fish from the Devonian Period have produced some amazing discoveries. Last year a few of them were found with embryos inside and one even had a fossilised umbilical cord. This year they have found ...

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CMT disease

This seven and a half minute video segment from Catalyst describes CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease) is Australia's most common genetic neurological disorder. Vitamin C, particularly when taken at a young age appears to reverse this effect. A good example of the scientific method.

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Drought culprit

This 12 minute video segment from Catalyst is an excellent resource for students researching how oceans influence conditions on Earth's surface. It demonstrates the advantages and disadvantages of using models in science and how our understanding is open to revision as more information comes to light.

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Dingo secrets

This 9 minute video segment from Catalyst shows a biologist is finding out about how a family of multi-coloured dingoes is challenging our very idea of these animals. Technology has been invaluable in learning how young dingoes are taught adult behaviour and survival behaviours of the pack.

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Sea Urchins

This 7 minute video segment from Catalyst describes an excellent example of how biologists have worked to investigate and solve a problem of an invading species of sea urchin that was devastating a marine ecosystem. The scientific approach to develop a biological control needed to rely on technologies such as radio tracking ...

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Sexual selection

This 5 minute video segment from Catalyst describes how Charles Darwin has revolutionised the way we understand modern biology and evolution. A scientist in Queensland put one of his theories under the microscope by testing to see if more brightly coloured male butterflies have greater success in mating. He speculates that ...

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Associate Professor Liz Harry

This minute video segment from Catalyst discusses Professor Liz Harry work on developing new antibiotics. A better understanding of the processes that regulate cell division in bacteria may lead to the development of new medicines.

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Hendra Virus

This 11 minute video segment from Catalyst describes research into the Hendra virus with its high mortality rate and animal vectors.

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Dugongs

This 6 minute video segment from Catalyst explains how the dugong, a vulnerable to endangered species is protected and that very little is known about it. Biologists are capturing animals to get baseline information about their blood and tissues in an effort to find out more about them and to secure their future. They are ...

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Cloud seeding

This nine and a half minute video segment from Catalyst describes how researchers from Monash University have hard evidence that cloud seeding can produce good amounts of extra rainfall. Data collected over a long period of time has give hope to scientists and environmentalists who are trying to reduce the impacts of droughts ...

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Cracked soils

This brief video segment from Catalyst demonstrates how scientists have developed probes to measure the water content of soils and therefore monitor the effectiveness of irrigation and the efficiency of water usage.

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Planes, Trains and Autism

This 7 minute video segment from Catalyst explains how science has been applied to helping to deal with behaviours associated with Asperger's syndrome.

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Earthshine

This six and a half minute video segment from Catalyst explains Earthshine as light from our own Earth reflected back from the Moon's dark side. A PhD student is studying it to learn about how light reflects from a planet that contains liquid water as well as land. Her work may one day lead to the discovery of other planets ...

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Brainy bees

This six and a half minute video segment from Catalyst shows how understanding bees process information from their compound eyes may help in designing better surveillance systems. This program is useful for discussion of the methods of scientific research into behaviour and perception.

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Ancient DNA

This 9 minute video segment from Catalyst explains the role of Australian Centre for Ancient DNA.It is an internationally recognised research centre for the study of minute traces of preserved genetic material - species studied date from a million years ago to more modern day mysteries... from mammoths to the Tassie devil, ...

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Eco Farming

This six and a half minute video segment from Catalyst provides an example of a new strategy to balance human activities and needs with the maintenance of a quality and sustainable environment. Viewers will discover how EcoTender, a land management scheme being trialled by the Victorian Government, is combining science ...