NOVA

Science and Nature Series / 23 Seasons

NOVA brings you stories from the frontlines of science and engineering, answering the big questions of today and tomorrow, from how our ancestors lived, to whether parallel universes exist, to how technology will transform our lives. Visit the official website to watch full-length documentaries, or explore our world through short-form video, on our digital publication NOVA Next.

Watch Latest: S50 E18

53m 31s / TV-PG

Can DNA technology Help Rebuild a Family Tree?

3m 28s

Many Black families in America don’t have robust ancestry records because of the legacy of slavery and family separation. But this documentary filmmaker is on a mission: use DNA technology to solve the mysteries of his family tree.

Lee and Liza's Family Tree Preview

30s

Many descendants of enslaved people have little record of their family's ancestry. Follow one family's quest to discover their lost history, and see how science and genealogy can help rebuild a family tree broken by slavery. Join filmmaker Byron Hurt at his extended family reunion as they celebrate the joy of family in the African diaspora and discover new details of their history.

How Malaria Shaped America

2m 34s

Around the 1900s, parts of the United States were awash with Malaria—especially in the South and parts of the Eastern Seaboard. And it even has impacted major historical events like the American Revolution.

Inside China's Tech Boom Preview

30s

In just a few decades, China has transformed into a science and technology superpower. See inside leading Chinese tech companies and labs to discover how they innovate, what drives their rise, and what it means for the future of the global economy.

The Catastrophe That Killed 90% Of Earth’s Species

1m 34s

252 million years ago, the most devastating mass extinction of all time wiped out around 90% of all species on Earth. The culprit? Liquid magma beneath Pangea’s northern surface that split open the crust and tore apart the landscape, spewing curtains of lava and fire.

Ancient Earth: Inferno Preview

30s

252 million years ago, a devastating mass extinction wiped out about 90% of all species on Earth. Follow scientists as they piece together evidence to discover how life survived and set the stage for a new dominant life form: the dinosaurs.

Giant Prehistoric Fungi Once Ruled the Earth

3m 43s

Today, plants like trees can grow very tall, while fungi remain close to the ground, with most of it hidden underneath. But millions of years ago, some fungi were were 20-feet-tall, towering over Earth’s landscape.

How Life Survived When Earth Was Covered in Ice

3m 6s

Seven-hundred-million years ago, ice threatened to make our planet uninhabitable, snuffing out new complex life forms. From this climate catastrophe, new forms of life arose, eventually leading to the living world today. But it was a close call.

Ancient Earth Was a Hellscape

3m 9s

For millions of years, ancient Earth was a fiery hellscape of volcanic activity, totally inhospitable to life. See what our planet might have looked like before the atmosphere—a ball of rock and fire hurtling through space.

Mastering Lighting and Audio in Video | NOVA Science Studio

4m 4s

Want to elevate the lighting and audio in your videos? NOVA producer Alex Clark breaks down proper audio and lighting techniques to consider, whether you're shooting with a professional camera or a smartphone!

How To Do A Video Interview | NOVA Science Studio Tutorial

3m 56s

Interviewing, whether in person or via a remote application is one of the most important part of creating compelling video. NOVA producer Alex Clark highlights the essential techniques and preparation required to conduct a perfect interview.

Complete Guide To Editing | NOVA Science Studio Tutorials

16m 21s

Whether you’re recording a science video or a personal project, these tips and techniques will ensure you're able to edit a cohesive story from start to finish. NOVA producer Alex Clark highlights tips for file structure, scripting, and editing.

How To Film Great Video With A Phone | NOVA Science Studio

3m 54s

NOVA producer Alex Clark shares 3 fundamentals of shooting with a smartphone, from optimizing your phone to store high quality videos to holding your camera and framing your shot.

Introducing the NOVA Science Studio Program

2m 42s

The NOVA Science Studio is a youth science journalism program that trains high school students to create videos about the science stories in their communities through lessons on science journalism, video production, and digital media literacy.

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