TED-Ed
byTED-Ed
EducationScienceTechnology
TED-Ed’s mission is to create lessons worth sharing. Feed and expand your curiosity with our award-winning animated shorts - published on YouTube and available with supplemental learning materials on ed.ted.com. Want to suggest an idea for a TED-Ed animation, nominate an educator or animator? Visit our website at: http://ed.ted.com/get_involved. Consider backing us on Patreon. By doing so, you directly support our nonprofit mission to create free, high-quality educational content: https://www.patreon.com/teded For more information on using TED-Ed content for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film, or in...
Episodes(40 episodes)
How scientists are developing genuine invisibility cloaks - Max G. Levy
Learn more at https://brilliant.org/TedEd--A spy presses a button on their suit and blinks out of sight. A wizard wraps himself in a cloak and disappears. A star pilot flicks a switch, and their ship vanishes into space. Invisibility is one of the most tantalizing powers in fiction, spanning all kinds of stories. But could this fantasy ever become a reality? Max G. Levy digs into the technologies that could make invisibility possible.Lesson by Max G. Levy, directed by Michalis Kalopaidis, Zedem Media.This video made...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 8m 19s
Finding life we can't imagine - Christoph Adami
How do we search for alien life if it's nothing like the life that we know? Christoph Adami shows how he uses his research into artificial life -- self-replicating computer programs -- to find a signature, a 'biomarker,' that is free of our preconceptions of what life is. (Filmed at TEDxUIUC.)Talk by Christoph Adami. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 24m 36s
The Infinite Hotel Paradox - Jeff Dekofsky
Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an animation: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletterView full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-infinite-hotel-paradox-jeff-dekofskyWant more? Try to solve the buried treasure riddle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCeklW2e6_EThe Infinite Hotel, a thought experiment created by German mathematician David Hilbert, is a hotel with an infinite number of rooms. Easy to comprehend, right? Wrong. What if it's completely booked but one person wants to check in? What about 40? Or an infinitely full bus of people? Jeff Dekofsky solves these heady...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 8m 44s
The 3 A's of awesome - Neil Pasricha
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-3-a-s-of-awesome-neil-pasrichaNeil Pasricha's blog 1000 Awesome Things savors life's simple pleasures, from free refills to clean sheets. In this heartfelt talk, he reveals the 3 secrets (all starting with A) to leading a life that's truly awesome. (Filmed at TEDxToronto.) Talk by Neil Pasricha. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 23m 18s
What Aristotle and Joshua Bell can teach us about influence - Conor Neill
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-aristotle-and-joshua-bell-can-teach-us-about-persuasion-conor-neill Imagine you are one of the world's greatest violin players, and you decide to conduct an experiment: play inside a subway station and see if anyone stops to appreciate when you are stripped of a concert hall and name recognition. Joshua Bell did this, and Conor Neill channels Aristotle to understand why the context mattered.Lesson by Conor Neill, animation by Animationhaus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 6m 24s
Blood, concrete, and dynamite: Building the Hoover Dam - Alex Gendler
Dig into the engineering of the Hoover Dam, a concrete arch-gravity dam on the Colorado River that supplies water to the US southwest.--In the early 20th century, the US had expanded from coast to coast, but many cities in the southwest still lacked reliable water sources. The Colorado River's erratic flow and frequent floods made it unreliable for agriculture, and the region’s growing cities needed more energy. So the government decided to build a massive hydroelectric dam. Alex Gendler details the creation of the Hoover Dam.Lesson by Alex Gendler, di...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 7m 56s
True success - John Wooden
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/john-wooden-on-true-successWith profound simplicity, Coach John Wooden redefines success and urges us all to pursue the best in ourselves. In this inspiring talk he shares the advice he gave his players at UCLA, quotes poetry and remembers his father's wisdom.Talk by John Wooden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 23m 24s
Pen your story, change history - Brad Meltzer
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/write-your-story-change-history-brad-meltzerThe idea that youth is wasted on the young? Wrong. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the creators of Superman were all under 30 when they wrote themselves into history. In this inspirational TEDYouth 2011 Talk, Brad Meltzer encourages us to dream big, work hard, and stay humble.Talk by Brad Meltzer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 11m 42s
Must you truly walk 10,000 steps daily? - Shannon Odell
Discover the benefits of walking, and how this simple exercise can positively impact the health of your body and brain.--For years, Jean Béliveau walked from country to country, with the goal of circumnavigating the globe on foot. While few people have the time or desire to walk such extreme lengths, research shows that adding even a modest amount of walking to your daily routine can dramatically improve your health. So, what exactly happens to your body when you increase your step count? Shannon Odell investigates.Lesson by Shannon Odell, directed b...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 8m 10s
How to make your stress work in your favor - Shannon Odell
Dig into what causes your stress response to be triggered, and how you can best train your mind and body to deal with stress.--An upcoming project deadline, a fight with a family member, or even an embarrassing moment can easily trigger our body’s stress response. While we can’t always control what life throws at us, there are ways to better prepare for stressful events we may experience. So, how can we train our minds and bodies to manage our stress response? Shannon Odell shares best practices for dealing with stress.L...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 8m 13s
Is there a center of the universe? - Marjee Chmiel and Trevor Owens
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/is-there-a-center-of-the-universe-marjee-chmiel-and-trevor-owensIt's been a long road to the discovery that Earth is not the center of the Solar System, the Milky Way, or the universe; great thinkers from Aristotle to Bruno have grappled with it for millennia. But if we aren't at the center of the universe, what is? Marjee Chmiel and Trevor Owens discuss where we stand in the (very) big scheme of things.Lesson by Marjee Chmiel and Trevor Owens, animation by Qa'ed Mai. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 5m 58s
The rise and fall of the Mongol Empire - Anne F. Broadbridge
Trace the rise and fall of the Mongol Empire which, under the leadership of Genghis Khan, became the largest contiguous land empire in history.--It was the largest contiguous land empire in history— stretching from Korea to Ukraine, and from Siberia to southern China. And was forged on the open plains. In the 12th century, the East Asian steppe was home to scattered groups of nomads who, by 1206, would be united under the innovative leadership of a man named Temujin. Anne F. Broadbridge details the rise and fall of the Mongol Empire.Le...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 7m 45s
The Gauntlet | Think Like A Coder, Ep 8
The adventure continues! Episode 8: Ethic and Hedge find themselves at a gauntlet of forking paths. Can they find the right one before they’re captured? --This is episode 8 of our animated series “Think Like A Coder.” This 10-episode narrative follows a girl, Ethic, and her robot companion, Hedge, as they attempt to save the world. The two embark on a quest to collect three artifacts and must solve their way through a series of programming puzzles.Lesson by Alex Rosenthal, directed by Kozmonot Animation Studio.Supported by Endless: https://endlessnetwork.com<br...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 11m 1s
Detention or Eco Club: Deciding your future - Juan Martinez
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/detention-or-eco-club-choosing-your-future-juan-martinezGrowing up surrounded by gangs in South Central Los Angeles, Juan Martinez wasn't exposed to the great outdoors. One day in high school, he was given the life-changing choice between detention or Eco Club. He chose nature and has since devoted his life to getting kids back to the outdoors as a National Geographic Explorer and director of the Natural Leaders Network.Talk by Juan Martinez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 9m 23s
The shared experience of absurdity - Charlie Todd
Charlie Todd causes bizarre, hilarious, and unexpected public scenes: Seventy synchronized dancers in storefront windows, "ghostbusters" running through the New York Public Library, and the annual no-pants subway ride. In his talk, he shows how his group, Improv Everywhere, uses these scenes to bring people together. (Filmed at TEDxBloomington.)Talk by Charlie Todd. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 15m 49s
Discovering Leonardo's real countenance - Siegfried Woldhek
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-to-find-the-true-face-of-leonardo-siegfried-woldhekMona Lisa is one of the best-known faces on the planet. But would you recognize an image of Leonardo da Vinci? Illustrator Siegfried Woldhek uses some thoughtful image-analysis techniques to find what he believes is the true face of Leonardo.Talk by Siegfried Woldhek. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 6m 6s
The wildly complex anatomy of a sneaker - Angel Chang
Dive into the anatomy of a sneaker to better understand your clothing’s carbon footprint, and how to be a more responsible consumer. --Australians call them “runners." The British know them as “trainers.” Americans refer to them as “sneakers.” Whatever you call them, these casual shoes are worn by billions of people around the world. Today, roughly 23 billion shoes are produced each year. So, how can we balance our love of sneakers with the need for sustainability? Angel Chang explores how shoe manufacturing impacts our planet.Lesson by Angel Chang, directed and animated by...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 8m 7s
A critical examination of the technology in our lives - Kevin Shindel
Teaching is both a science and an art, and many teachers around the world spend endless hours perfecting their professional practice. At TEDActive 2013, a few teachers from the United States offer some tricks of the trade they've learned (and continue to hone) along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 10m 4s
Would you sell your kidney for $100,000? | Ada, Ep. 2
Ada imagines how society would change if governments paid living organ donors. Should we receive compensation for our organs?--This is episode 2 of the animated series, “Ada.” This 5-episode narrative follows the young library assistant Ada as she juggles two worlds: her daily mundane reality and the future she vividly imagines for all humanity. Traveling through her visions of potential futures, Ada grapples with the ethical and social implications of new technologies and how they could shape the world.Written by Elizabeth Cox, directed by Elizabeth Cox & Kirill Yeretsky. This vide...
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 14m 32s
Can we cultivate germs? - Paul Ewald
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/can-we-domesticate-germs-paul-ewaldEvolutionary biologist Paul Ewald drags us into the sewer to discuss germs. Why are some more harmful than others? How could we make the harmful ones benign? Searching for answers, he examines a disgusting, fascinating case: diarrhea.Talk by Paul Ewald. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Published: Sep 10, 2026Duration: 23m 34s