An operators’ manual helps keep your car or computer running at peak performance. Earth science can do the same for the planet. In EARTH: THE OPERATORS’ MANUAL join geologist Richard Alley as he travels the world, from New Zealand to China, Brazil, Spain and Morocco with stops in New Orleans, Texas and military bases in California. This accurate, understandable and upbeat report on the interconnected stories of humans and fossil fuels, Earth’s climate history and our future energy options will leave you amazed at the beauty and bounty of the planet, inspired by human ingenuity, and optimistic about the future.
It is the last great wilderness of its kind, a rare and precious haven for some of Earth’s most indestructible creatures. Covering more than half-a-million square miles of Chile and Argentina, this wild place is known as Patagonia. At its crown tip is a grand island, Tierra del Fuego, a land as harsh as it is beautiful. This film tracks several species that call this extreme environment home. But the guanaco, condor and Magellanic penguin who share this spectacular place with orcas, parrots and elephant seals are facing increasing pressure from humans. The program details how new conservation models may save them and preserve the wildness at the bottom of the world. Jeremy Irons narrates.
Eden at the End of the World
Watch Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at 7pm.
Kilauea, on Hawaii’s Big Island, is the world’s most active volcano. Its latest eruption began in 1983 and hasn’t stopped. Since that time, it has created 544 acres of new land and consumed 200 homes. But as we watch nature’s own fireworks display and witness the devastation wrought by flowing lava, we’ve also been able to observe a process that’s central to life on these islands. The most spectacular moment of creation is when lava pours into the ocean creating new land; it is here that filmmaker Paul Atkins finds himself getting a shot few have ever filmed – the cataclysmic meeting of 2,000-degree lava and 75-degree ocean water – a sight to behold.
Nature: Kilauea – Mountain of Fire
Watch Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 7pm.
Create a storyboard illustrating the importance of electricity and win a chance to see your idea turned into a spot on KCPT!
Summary and Guidelines:
Student(s), Contest extended to Sept 30. grades 6 thru 12, will work to develop a story regarding electricity
Student(s), grades 6 thru 12, will submit an essay describing their story, thinking in terms of scenes, and how much time for each scene, remembering you only have 15-30 seconds to tell your important story!
One winner will be selected from the submitted essays to work with a KCPT producer and produce a 15-30second segment which will air at least 60 times during KCPT’s PBS KIDS GO! block.
The winning piece will be available through KCPT’s website and KCPTKids.org; social networking sites such as a Facebook, MySpace, iTunesU and YouTube and through www.learn360.com an educational video streaming service provided by KCPT to over 100,000 students and 7,000 teachers in both Kansas and Missouri.
The Storyboard must relate to one of the following two categories:
1) Innovations, important figures or careers in the Electrical Industry
Questions to consider: Why were they critical or important? How did the person or innovation change the electrical industry or society? How might society be different without this innovation or person’s discovery? What is interesting or remarkable about this career or position in the industry?
2) Electrical Safety
What to cover: Define the topic and/or problem. Identify the dangers and/or potential problems. Explain how to be safe in each situation. Include what visuals you may use or what you may demonstrate.
Instructions:
Submit completed entry, with Official Entry Form by September 30. All forms are available at www.electricleague.org/safety
All entries must include required documents, as instructed on the Official Entry Form (list of participants,bibliography and essay).
Direct all contest materials and questions to:
Jane Male, CAE, Executive Director
Electric League of Missouri & Kansas
PO Box 419264
Kansas City, MO 64141
816.561.5323 jmale@swassn.com
