Thursday, August 8, 1 PM
For next week’s Watch & Wonder Highlight, we’re featuring this episode of Genius by Stephen Hawking. After watching, dive deeper with resources that take you on a journey from magical to practical, exploring how the world is governed by the scientific laws of physics, on PBS LearningMedia.
World-famous scientist Stephen Hawking sets three ordinary people a series of fun challenges to show them how to think like a genius. Can they work out why they exist at all? Is it destiny or pure chance? The third episode in the series features smashed glasses, spooky castles and a truly freaky flash-mob illustration of multiple universes. Why Are We Here? takes the subjects down a rabbit hole of deeply profound realizations.
PBS LearningMedia
Why Are We Here? Ch. 1: Magnetic Levitation | Genius by Stephen Hawking
Grades 6-12
In this clip from Genius by Stephen Hawking, witness magnetic levitation and learn how the world is governed by the laws of physics. Three volunteers will learn that an illusion of floating plates is not a result of magic but instead created from powerful magnets. The force that the magnets exert against each other is enough to create magnetic levitation. This demonstration also highlights that the force the magnets exert against each other are governed by the laws of physics and that the universe is governed by the laws of nature. These were discovered by Isaac Newton who has changed how humans perceive the world through his work on gravity and motion.
In school or at home, take advantage of the Watch & Wonder broadcast schedule. Running each weekday from 1-3 PM, Watch & Wonder is great for classroom viewing, distance instruction, and families looking to spend some extra, quality time together. Featured programs are ideal for kids in grades 6-12, encouraging creativity with the arts, kick starting innovation through STEM, and expanding their horizons with stories from across the globe!
Each week, we’ll highlight a show from our Watch & Wonder block, and share a PBS LearningMedia resource — suitable for middle and high school students. Follow along on the Watch & Wonder Schedule page, or subscribe to our newsletter!