Episodes
-
Zero to Infinity
S49 E19 - 53m 32s
Zero and infinity. These seemingly opposite, obvious, and indispensable concepts are relatively recent human inventions. Discover the surprising story of how these key concepts that revolutionized mathematics came to be – not just once, but over and over again as different cultures invented and re-invented them across thousands of years.
-
Crypto Decoded
S49 E18 - 53m 22s
From Bitcoin to NFTs, crypto is making headlines. But what exactly is it, and how does it work? Experts go beyond the hype and skepticism to unravel the social and technological underpinnings of crypto – exploring how it came to be and why this new technology may change more than just money.
-
Nazca Desert Mystery
S49 E17 - 53m 31s
One of the world’s greatest ancient enigmas, the Nazca lines are a dense network of criss-crossing lines, geometric shapes, and animal figures etched across 200 square miles of Peruvian desert. Who created them and why? Ever since they were rediscovered in the 1920s, scholars and enthusiasts have raised countless theories about their purpose.
-
Ocean Invaders
S49 E16 - 53m 32s
Lionfish–long prized in home aquariums–have invaded the Atlantic, and are now one of the ocean’s most successful invasive species, wreaking havoc in waters across the globe. Join ocean explorer Danni Washington on a journey to find out how they took over, why they’re doing so much damage, and what can be done about it.
-
Can Psychedelics Cure?
S49 E15 - 53m 47s
Hallucinogenic drugs—popularly called psychedelics—have been used by human societies for thousands of years. Today, scientists are taking a second look at many of these mind-altering substances – both natural and synthetic – and discovering that they can have profoundly positive clinical impacts, helping patients struggling with a range of afflictions from addiction to depression and PTSD.
-
Computers v. Crime
S49 E14 - 53m 30s
In police departments and courts across the country, artificial intelligence is being used to help decide who is policed, who gets bail, how offenders should be sentenced, and who gets parole. But is it actually making our law enforcement and court systems fairer and more just? This timely investigation digs into the hidden biases, privacy risks, and design flaws of this controversial technology.
-
Rebuilding Notre Dame
S49 E13 - 53m 30s
In April 2019, the world watched as a devastating fire almost destroyed Paris’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral. Go behind the scenes with a team of engineers, masons, and timber workers tackling the daunting challenges of restoring the historic landmark.
-
Ending HIV in America
S49 E11 - 53m 33s
Almost 40 years after the discovery of HIV, could we be on the verge of ending the AIDS epidemic in America? How did scientists tackle one of the most elusive deadly viruses to ever infect humans? Can innovative drugs bring new infections to zero?
-
Saving Venice
S49 E12 - 53m 31s
Rising seas and sinking land threaten to destroy Venice. Can the city’s new hi-tech flood barrier save it? Discover the innovative projects and feats of engineering designed to stop this historic city from being lost to future generations.
-
Ultimate Space Telescope
S49 E10 - 53m 33s
Follow the dramatic story of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope – the most complex machine ever launched into space – in hopes of peering deeper back in time than ever before and answering some of astronomy’s biggest questions.
-
Ice Age Footprints
S49 E9 - 53m 21s
Ancient footprints in New Mexico’s White Sands National Park reveal new evidence of Ice Age humans that walked the land alongside enormous ground sloths and mammoths—thousands of years earlier than archaeologists thought people were in the Americas.
-
Why Ships Crash
S49 E8 - 53m 20s
When the colossal Ever Given container ship crashed in the Suez Canal in March 2021, international supply chains ground to a halt. How did it happen? Follow the investigation into one of the most expensive shipping disasters ever.
Extras + Features
-
How Storm Surges Work—and Why They’re So Deadly
S49 - 4m 49s
The deadliest part of a hurricane isn’t the wind–it’s water. Here’s what causes a storm surge, and which regions are most at risk.
-
Computers v. Crime Preview
S49 E14 - 30s
In police departments and courts across the country, artificial intelligence is being used to help decide who is policed, who gets bail, how offenders should be sentenced, and who gets parole. But is it actually making our law enforcement and court systems fairer and more just? This timely investigation digs into the hidden biases, privacy risks, and design flaws of this controversial technology.
-
How Computer Algorithms Make Predictions
S49 E14 - 2m 30s
These computer programs use artificial intelligence to look for patterns in data without human instruction.
-
Saving Notre Dame’s Iconic Stone Vaulting
S49 E13 - 2m 53s
The water used to fight a fire at Paris’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral and months of rainwater damaged the Cathedrals’ stonework but a team of geologist have a plan to save it.
-
Rebuilding Notre Dame
S49 E13 - 30s
In April 2019, the world watched as a devastating fire almost destroyed Paris’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral. Go behind the scenes with a team of engineers, masons, and timber workers tackling the daunting challenges of restoring the historic landmark.
-
Restoring Notre Dame's Iconic Stained Glass
S49 E13 - 3m
After the fire, the team working on restoring the South Rose window noticed major changes to the original stained glass masterpiece.
-
Sharks Are Showing Up Earlier—and Staying Longer
S49 - 4m 18s
Tiger sharks are being spotted off the coast of the New England earlier than usual, and they’re hanging around for longer. What's going on? And are they here to stay.
-
How Venice Was Built On a Swamp
S49 E12 - 2m 54s
Building a city on a lagoon has its challenges. Here's how the citizens of Venice accomplished this task centuries ago.
-
This Flood Barrier Could Save Venice
S49 E12 - 2m 57s
Venice is sinking, with sea level predicted to rise another 40 inches by the end of the century. Could a colossal network of flood barriers save it from the sea?
-
Saving Venice Preview
S49 E12 - 30s
Rising seas and sinking land threaten to destroy Venice. Can the city’s new hi-tech flood barrier save it? Discover the innovative projects and feats of engineering designed to stop this historic city from being lost to future generations.
-
Ending HIV in America Preview
S49 E11 - 30s
Almost 40 years after the discovery of HIV, could we be on the verge of ending the AIDS epidemic in America? How did scientists tackle one of the most elusive deadly viruses to ever infect humans? Can innovative drugs bring new infections to zero?
-
The Hidden Cause of Traffic Jams—and How to Solve Them
S49 - 6m 5s
Some traffic jams seem to happen out of nowhere—it’s not rush hour, no construction, no accidents. These are called phantom traffic jams, generally caused by drivers tapping the brakes on and off. Could autonomous vehicles eliminate these traffic jams, and make our roads safer? Some researchers think so.
Schedule
-
Image
NOVA
Making North America: Origins
Sunday
Apr 21
1 Hour
The shaping of North America, including palm trees that once thrived in Alaska and an eruption that nearly tore the Midwest in two. -
Image
NOVA
Making North America: Origins
Sunday
Apr 21
1 Hour
The shaping of North America, including palm trees that once thrived in Alaska and an eruption that nearly tore the Midwest in two. -
Image
NOVA
Making North America: Origins
Sunday
Apr 21
1 Hour
The shaping of North America, including palm trees that once thrived in Alaska and an eruption that nearly tore the Midwest in two. -
Image
NOVA
Weathering the Future
Monday
Apr 22
1 Hour
Americans use ancient wisdom and new solutions to fight against extreme weather, from intense rainstorms to megafires and droughts. -
Image
NOVA
Making North America: Origins
Tuesday
Apr 23
1 Hour
The shaping of North America, including palm trees that once thrived in Alaska and an eruption that nearly tore the Midwest in two. -
Image
NOVA
Making North America: Origins
Wednesday
Apr 24
1 Hour
The shaping of North America, including palm trees that once thrived in Alaska and an eruption that nearly tore the Midwest in two. -
Image
NOVA
Making North America: Origins
Wednesday
Apr 24
1 Hour
The shaping of North America, including palm trees that once thrived in Alaska and an eruption that nearly tore the Midwest in two. -
Image
NOVA
Making North America: Life
Wednesday
Apr 24
1 Hour
The intertwined story of life and the landscape in North America -- from origins to dinosaurs and an ancient primate invasion. -
Image
NOVA
Making North America: Life
Wednesday
Apr 24
1 Hour
The intertwined story of life and the landscape in North America -- from origins to dinosaurs and an ancient primate invasion. -
Image
NOVA
Making North America: Life
Thursday
Apr 25
1 Hour
The intertwined story of life and the landscape in North America -- from origins to dinosaurs and an ancient primate invasion. -
Image
NOVA
Making North America: Life
Thursday
Apr 25
1 Hour
The intertwined story of life and the landscape in North America -- from origins to dinosaurs and an ancient primate invasion. -
Image
NOVA
Making North America: Life
Sunday
Apr 28
1 Hour
The intertwined story of life and the landscape in North America -- from origins to dinosaurs and an ancient primate invasion. -
Image
NOVA
Making North America: Life
Sunday
Apr 28
1 Hour
The intertwined story of life and the landscape in North America -- from origins to dinosaurs and an ancient primate invasion. -
Image
NOVA
Making North America: Life
Sunday
Apr 28
1 Hour
The intertwined story of life and the landscape in North America -- from origins to dinosaurs and an ancient primate invasion. -
Image
NOVA
Making North America: Life
Tuesday
Apr 30
1 Hour
The intertwined story of life and the landscape in North America -- from origins to dinosaurs and an ancient primate invasion. -
Image
NOVA
Wednesday
May 1
1 Hour
This long-running, award-winning documentary series focuses on science, its many applications, speculation, history and researchers. Inspired by the BBC documentary program "Horizons, " the U.S. series frequently features interviews with scientists directly involved in the topic at hand, and sometimes even boasts footage of a particular discovery. -
Image
NOVA
Making North America: Life
Wednesday
May 1
1 Hour
The intertwined story of life and the landscape in North America -- from origins to dinosaurs and an ancient primate invasion. -
Image
NOVA
Making North America: Human
Wednesday
May 1
1 Hour
From Ice Age to the oil boom, humans face challenges and uncover wealth hidden in North America's landscape. -
Image
NOVA
Making North America: Human
Wednesday
May 1
1 Hour
From Ice Age to the oil boom, humans face challenges and uncover wealth hidden in North America's landscape. -
Image
NOVA
Making North America: Human
Thursday
May 2
1 Hour
From Ice Age to the oil boom, humans face challenges and uncover wealth hidden in North America's landscape.
WETA Passport
Stream tens of thousands of hours of your PBS and local favorites with WETA Passport whenever and wherever you want. Catch up on a single episode or binge-watch full seasons before they air on TV.
Similar Shows
Changing Planet
Science and Nature
The Great Polar Bear Feast
Science and Nature
Nature's Great Race
Science and Nature
Extinction: The Facts
Science and Nature
Human: The World Within
Science and Nature
Great Yellowstone Thaw
Science and Nature
PBS Space Time
Science and Nature
Out of Our Elements
Science and Nature
Animal Babies: First Year on Earth
Science and Nature
Alzheimer's: What You Can Do
Science and Nature