Explore the toxicity of death cap mushrooms, and find out what makes this one species so dangerous to humans. -- Humans have known about the toxicity of death cap mushrooms for millennia. Yet they continue to pose a significant threat to unsuspecting foragers and mushroom hunters throughout the world. Today, death caps are responsible for more than 90% of all mushroom related deaths, killing upwards of 100 people each year. So, what makes this one species of mushroom so dangerous? Michael Beug investigates. Lesson by Michael Beug, directed by Denys Spolitak. Support Our Non-Profit Mission ..read more

Dig into the Greek myth of Achilles, and follow the infamous warrior during the Trojan War and see what leads to his downfall. -- Born to a sea nymph and a king, and trained by the legendary centaur Chiron, Achilles was a demigod destined for greatness. When Greece declared war on Troy, Achilles knew the war was written into his destiny. With horses born from the west wind and a spear wrought from a mountain peak, he readied himself for battle. Iseult Gillespie tells the tale of the infamous warrior and his heel. Lesson by Iseult Gillespie, directed by Luis Torres, Mr. Flama. Support Our Non-P ..read more

Dive into the deep sea to find giant squids, and explore what scientists have learned about these mysterious creatures. -- In 1873, fishermen glimpsed what they thought was a shipwreck. But when they probed the mass, it moved— and huge, serpentine appendages soon besieged their boat. One fisherman took an axe to the animal, and it disappeared in a cloud of ink, leaving behind definitive evidence that giant squids were more than mythical monsters. So, what do we know about these creatures? Anna Rothschild investigates. Lesson by Anna Rothschild, directed by Vitalii Nebelskyi, and action creativ ..read more

Travel to some of the most extreme environments on Earth and see how insects are able to employ their skills to survive. -- Insects are the world’s most numerous and diverse animals. Even where you’d least expect them in some of Earth’s most extreme environments, there they are. From a scalding volcano, parched desert, to a frigid glacier, insects are living life on the edge. So, how do they do it? Charles Wallace illuminates the incredible survival skills of insects living in some of Earth's harshest ecosystems. Lesson by Charles Wallace, directed by Raghav Arumugam, Jagriti Khirwar. Support ..read more

Learn more at https://brilliant.org/TedEd -- Your granddaughter created a surprise for your birthday: a holographic map displaying everywhere you’ve traveled— not just on Earth, but through the universe. Considering you’re living on a spinning rock hurtling around a sun whizzing through a galaxy, you’ve made some real progress. But, how much, exactly? Fabio Pacucci and Lindsay DeMarchi explore how far you travel over the course of your life. Lesson by Fabio Pacucci and Lindsay DeMarchi, directed by Vicente Numpaque, Hernando Bahamon, Globizco Studios. This video made possible in collaboration ..read more

Download a free audiobook version of “City of Girls” and support TED-Ed's nonprofit mission: https://www.audible.com/ted-ed -- Do you ever feel tired? Overwhelmed? Depressed? Do you have headaches, dizziness, cramps, difficulty breathing? From 300 BCE to the 1900s, if you answered yes to any of these questions and you had a uterus, a doctor would likely diagnose you with hysteria. So, where did this medical diagnosis come from? And why did it persist for so long? Mark S. Micale traces the history of the catch-all term. Lesson by Mark S. Micale, directed by Laura Jayne Hodkin. Support Our Non-P ..read more

Explore the ever-evolving structure of the Milky Way galaxy, and find out how it got its spiral shape. -- Thirteen billion years ago, the gas and dust particles that eventually became our Milky Way were whizzing around in every direction. Despite the wild motion of its parts, the galaxy as a whole was rotating about an axis. So why did the Milky Way, like most galaxies, become flat, and not spherical like stars and planets? Scott Hershberger explores the ever-evolving structure of our galaxy. Lesson by Scott Hershberger, directed by Josh O'Caoimh, Mikai Geronimo. Support Our Non-Profit Mission ..read more

Explore the 4 common categories of cold medicines, and how to choose the right one based on your symptoms. -- From incantations in ancient Egypt, bloodletting in 18th century Europe, to President Coolidge inhaling poisonous chlorine gas in 1924, the common cold has inspired a variety of creative treatments. Today pharmacies are filled with an endless assortment of cold remedies. But how do these products work? And are they effective? Explore the most common categories of cold medicines and their purposes. Directed by Lippy. Support Our Non-Profit Mission ..read more

Dig into the dangers of common kitchen appliances, and find out which could be the most hazardous to your health. -- Between 2011 and 2022, the deadliest kitchen appliances in the US were ovens and ranges; taking lives by causing fires and leaking carbon monoxide. These kinds of sudden, catastrophic fatalities are thankfully rare. But the kitchen dangers that cause the most casualties may actually be less immediate, and more gradual. George Zaidan explores the safety of common kitchen appliances. Lesson by George Zaidan, directed by Anastasiia Falileieva, Studio Plastic Bag. This video made po ..read more

Explore the incredible regenerative capacity of salamanders, and see how they’re able to regrow limbs, hearts, and even brain tissue. -- For some animals, losing a limb is a decidedly permanent affair. But for salamanders, particularly axolotls, amputation is just a temporary affliction. Not only can they grow back entire limbs in as little as six weeks, they can also regenerate heart and even brain tissue. So, how does this astonishing adaptation work? Jessica Whited explores the incredible regenerative capacity of salamanders. Lesson by Jessica Whited, directed by Anton Bogaty. Support Our N ..read more