Dig into the unique biology of saffron and trace humanity’s enduring obsession with the spice, dating back thousands of years.

Discover the ocean’s hidden kelp forests, and explore how these light-dependent organisms evolved to survive at dark depths. -- Like any other plant, kelps require light to grow. Yet kelps fou...

Trace the history of passports to find out why we need these documents and what challenges travelers face within this system. -- Passports are not the first form of travel documents: in Ancient ...

Explore the incredible systems that create breathable air in space, and how we can adapt that process for future expeditions. -- For over 25 years, the International Space Station’s air supply...

Dig into the vast and wild world of fungi, and explore how these organisms evolved to play a range of essential ecological roles. -- The diverse fungal kingdom, which includes everything from ba...

Dig into broken heart syndrome, and find out how grief and traumatic events can affect your body and health. -- Losing a loved one can be one of the most traumatic experiences of a person’s ...

Explore the three conditions needed to trigger an avalanche, and what makes these natural disasters so hard to survive. -- Avalanches are the rapid descent of snow, ice, rock, or a combination o...

Take a look inside a dishwasher to explore how these machines work, and find out how to get the cleanest dishes from every use. -- After years of hosting lavish dinner parties and watching her d...

Dig into the history of medieval European castles, and explore how the design of these formidable fortresses evolved over time. -- Medieval European castles weren’t just for passive defense an...

Get to know the slow loris, the world's only venomous primate, and explore this complex creature’s fascinating characteristics.

Trace the history of sumo, and explore how the sport was designed and modified to reflect ancient Japan’s culture and traditions. -- Sumo wrestling is known across the world as a beloved form ...

Explore the fascinating reason why cats go crazy for catnip, and what evolutionary purpose the plant served to feline species. -- Of the many bewildering behaviors cats display, one of the stran...

Dig into the infamous tales of the Brothers Grimm, and explore how these gory stories evolved as they spread around the world. -- An evil stepmother demands a maiden’s lungs and liver; a girl ...

Trace the ancient origins of toys and games throughout history, and discover how play has evolved — and stayed the same. -- Archaeologists have found material, visual, and written evidence for...

Explore the history of Venice to find out how the infamous floating city was built and how the republic became a hub for trade. -- To escape Germanic invaders, people fled into the Venetian Lago...

Take a look at what makes rabies the most lethal infectious disease, and what measures you should take if you're exposed to it. -- In 1885, Joseph Meister was bit in 14 places by a rabid dog. Hi...

Dig into an abridged version of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death,” about a prince’s attempt to escape a deadly plague. -- Looking to avoid the plague devastating his countr...

Explore the benefits and challenges of using self-directed play-based learning models in schools.

Explore 3 strategies to control the flow of lava, and how scientists are using them to protect communities from future eruptions. -- In December 2023, Icelandic citizens experienced their worst ...

Learn more at https://brilliant.org/TedEd -- Scanning the crime scene, Officer Stone sees a disorderly room, visible red-brown stains and a partial shoe track— all hinting at a bloody struggle...

Dig into how the simple game of peek-a-boo contributes to babies developing their cognitive, motor, and social skills. -- In Italy, it’s called il gioco del cucù. Palestinians say ba' 'éno. ...

Take a look at 3 English language grammar rules to find out where they come from and if you actually need to follow them. -- Grammatical rules have caused heated debate in various regions and la...

Get to know Jin Yong’s “Legend of the Condor Heroes,” an epic tale of adventure and war, romance, brotherhood and betrayal. -- In the 1950s, citizens flocked to newsstands to pick up the l...

Explore how snakes evolved, and find out how their jaw-dropping anatomy allows them to take down prey several times their size. -- Since slithering onto the scene some 150 million years ago, evo...

Take a tour of the vast, underground network of the Paris Catacombs, and find out how this 18th century cemetery came to be. -- For centuries, Parisians had buried their dead in the Cemetery of ...

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