Dive into this curated playlist of clips from Got Science?, the BBC’s magazine-style series that unpacks the science behind everyday life. From why we melt at baby animals to why scary movies make us jump, each episode reveals the surprising biology and behavior shaping our world. Students can explore questions like why flies are nearly impossible to catch and why bedbugs are so tough to defeat. Every video includes discussion questions, writing prompts, and more to spark curiosity and critical thinking in middle and high school classrooms.
In How Sunscreen Works, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod explains why pale skin needs extra protection from the Sun because it doesn't have much melanin, which helps block harmful UV rays. He uses a special UV camera to see how much protection his skin naturally has and discovers he needs sunscreen to stay safe from sunburn. After applying sunscreen to one side of his face, the camera shows that the sunscreen makes his skin much darker, proving it's protecting him from the Sun’s harmful rays. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body's largest organ.
The article "Animals evolve larger limbs to adapt to rising temperatures" from BBC's Science Focus discusses how climate change is prompting warm-blooded animals to develop larger appendages, such as ears, beaks, and limbs, to better regulate body heat.
The article "Could Fire-Breathing Animals Really Exist?" from BBC's Science Focus discusses the scientific plausibility of fire-breathing animals, inspired by the dragons in House of the Dragon. Evolutionary biologist Henry Gee explains how certain chemical reactions and fire-resistant materials could theoretically enable an animal to breathe fire.
The article "Secrets of Metamorphosis: Why Some Animals Transform" from BBC's Discover Wildlife explains why certain animals undergo dramatic changes while others retain the same form throughout life. Evolutionary biologist JV Chamary explores the biological and ecological advantages of metamorphosis.
The article "Birds and Reptiles Cry Tears Like Humans" from BBC's Science Focus explains how the tears of birds and reptiles contain similar chemical compositions to human tears. Scientists hope this research will lead to improved treatments for eye conditions and offer new insights into evolutionary biology.
In Crocodilians, Ancient Apex Predators, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod meets some crocodilians. This category includes crocodiles, alligators, and other similar species that use their sensitive skin to detect pressure and vibrations, especially in murky waters where their vision is limited. This unique adaptation helps them hunt and survive as an apex predator. This video is excerpted from Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body’s largest organ.
In Sloths, Masters of Slow and Steady, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod describes how a sloth's skin provides unique camouflage, helping it blend into its environment for protection. Discover the symbiotic relationship between sloths and algae, which grows on their fur and gives them a greenish tint. This algae offers camouflage while also supporting moths that help fertilize the algae. Through this fascinating example of nature’s design, see how animals and plants can depend on each other in unexpected ways. This video is excerpted from Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body’s largest organ.
In The Truth About Tiger Stripes, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod explains why these big cats' stripes are orange and black. Learn how melanin, the pigment responsible for skin and fur color, creates the distinctive camouflage patterns of a tiger’s coat. Discover the ways tigers use their stripes for survival in the wild, blending into their surroundings to avoid predators and enhance their hunting capabilities. This video is excerpted from Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body’s largest organ.
In Animals With Spines, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod presents porcupines and how their quills have evolved as a defense mechanism. Learn how these animals, with their distinctive spines and quills, have adapted to survive in the wild as you discover how porcupines’ quills have evolved to detach and protect them from predators. This video is excerpted from Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body’s largest organ.
In What Makes Poison Dart Frogs Toxic?, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod discusses how poison dart frogs produce their toxins. Learn how these frogs derive their toxicity from alkaloids found in their diet, how they use their poison for defense, and why scientists are studying these toxins for potential medical uses. This video is excerpted from Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body’s largest organ.
In The Role of Fingertips, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod presents the remarkable sensitivity of our fingertips and how this feature enables humans and animals to interact with their environment. See how mechanoreceptors detect textures and transmit information to the brain. Through innovative experiments, such as artificial fingertips used in robotics, understand the power and complexity of touch. This video is excerpted from Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body’s largest organ.
Dive into this curated playlist of clips from Got Science?, the BBC’s magazine-style series that unpacks the science behind everyday life. From why we melt at baby animals to why scary movies make us jump, each episode reveals the surprising biology and behavior shaping our world. Students can explore questions like why flies are nearly impossible to catch and why bedbugs are so tough to defeat. Every video includes discussion questions, writing prompts, and more to spark curiosity and critical thinking in middle and high school classrooms.
In How Sunscreen Works, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod explains why pale skin needs extra protection from the Sun because it doesn't have much melanin, which helps block harmful UV rays. He uses a special UV camera to see how much protection his skin naturally has and discovers he needs sunscreen to stay safe from sunburn. After applying sunscreen to one side of his face, the camera shows that the sunscreen makes his skin much darker, proving it's protecting him from the Sun’s harmful rays. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body's largest organ.
The article "Animals evolve larger limbs to adapt to rising temperatures" from BBC's Science Focus discusses how climate change is prompting warm-blooded animals to develop larger appendages, such as ears, beaks, and limbs, to better regulate body heat.
The article "Could Fire-Breathing Animals Really Exist?" from BBC's Science Focus discusses the scientific plausibility of fire-breathing animals, inspired by the dragons in House of the Dragon. Evolutionary biologist Henry Gee explains how certain chemical reactions and fire-resistant materials could theoretically enable an animal to breathe fire.
The article "Secrets of Metamorphosis: Why Some Animals Transform" from BBC's Discover Wildlife explains why certain animals undergo dramatic changes while others retain the same form throughout life. Evolutionary biologist JV Chamary explores the biological and ecological advantages of metamorphosis.
The article "Birds and Reptiles Cry Tears Like Humans" from BBC's Science Focus explains how the tears of birds and reptiles contain similar chemical compositions to human tears. Scientists hope this research will lead to improved treatments for eye conditions and offer new insights into evolutionary biology.
In Crocodilians, Ancient Apex Predators, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod meets some crocodilians. This category includes crocodiles, alligators, and other similar species that use their sensitive skin to detect pressure and vibrations, especially in murky waters where their vision is limited. This unique adaptation helps them hunt and survive as an apex predator. This video is excerpted from Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body’s largest organ.
In Sloths, Masters of Slow and Steady, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod describes how a sloth's skin provides unique camouflage, helping it blend into its environment for protection. Discover the symbiotic relationship between sloths and algae, which grows on their fur and gives them a greenish tint. This algae offers camouflage while also supporting moths that help fertilize the algae. Through this fascinating example of nature’s design, see how animals and plants can depend on each other in unexpected ways. This video is excerpted from Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body’s largest organ.
In The Truth About Tiger Stripes, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod explains why these big cats' stripes are orange and black. Learn how melanin, the pigment responsible for skin and fur color, creates the distinctive camouflage patterns of a tiger’s coat. Discover the ways tigers use their stripes for survival in the wild, blending into their surroundings to avoid predators and enhance their hunting capabilities. This video is excerpted from Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body’s largest organ.
In Animals With Spines, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod presents porcupines and how their quills have evolved as a defense mechanism. Learn how these animals, with their distinctive spines and quills, have adapted to survive in the wild as you discover how porcupines’ quills have evolved to detach and protect them from predators. This video is excerpted from Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body’s largest organ.
In What Makes Poison Dart Frogs Toxic?, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod discusses how poison dart frogs produce their toxins. Learn how these frogs derive their toxicity from alkaloids found in their diet, how they use their poison for defense, and why scientists are studying these toxins for potential medical uses. This video is excerpted from Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body’s largest organ.
In The Role of Fingertips, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod presents the remarkable sensitivity of our fingertips and how this feature enables humans and animals to interact with their environment. See how mechanoreceptors detect textures and transmit information to the brain. Through innovative experiments, such as artificial fingertips used in robotics, understand the power and complexity of touch. This video is excerpted from Secrets of Skin, a documentary series exploring the natural history of the body’s largest organ.