MinutePhysics

Topics: Physics; Math
Explanation Quality: Better
Medium: Video
Type of Content: Educational

MinutePhysics is a YouTube channel focusing on - you guessed it -physics! All of the videos are time-lapsed drawings (it looks like they are down on a white board) with a voice over. The videos are never very long, usually three minutes or less. Two of my favorites are the video on quantum tunneling and the one on round triangles.

Because the videos are short, watching them is a fun way to learn a bit about a lot of different areas of physics. Last year, when the LHC discovered the Higgs Boson like particle, MinutePhysics made a few videos explaining what the Higgs Boson would do and why it was important. Some of the videos cover common physics misconceptions. Overall, I really like the way he both explains and illustrates his points. It really helps my understanding. And since the explanations and drawings often have a bit of humor, that makes me like them even more.

Basically, if I have nothing to do, I can go check out MinutePhysics and consistently be both entertained and educated. So go check it out!

ViHart

Topics: Math, Music
Explanation Quality: Good
Medium: Video
Type of Content: Recreational

ViHart is a self-proclaimed "mathemusician". She makes lots of short, fun videos discussing math and sometimes music. While these are in some sense "educational" they are not going to help you review something from math class. In fact, the set-up for many videos is the doodles you can make while bored in class.

This isn't to say they aren't a worthwhile watch. I love hexaflexagons - I have quite a collection floating around. ViHart shows more of the fun side of mathematics, which is something you don't get to see in school unless you're pretty lucky.

Sci Show

Topics: General Science
Explanation Quality: Best
Medium: Video
Type of Content: News, Teaching
 
SciShow is a youtube channel run by Hank Green. It posts several different types of videos. There is a weekly video with science news. There are shorter videos on a variety of interesting topics - my favorite is on Non-Newtonian fluids. These offer a quick overview of something.

There are also longer videos which offer more information. My favorite one of those is on epigenetics. Basically, this channel is a good place to learn a bit about a random topic. If you have something specific you want to know about in mind this might not be the right place, but if you just want to keep updated on what's happening in the world, or don't care what you learn about, then this is the place for you. This is not to say that SciShow won't help you if you are trying to learn about a specific topic. I was able to use one of their videos in a presentation on radiation.

The videos are always easily understandable, and normally humorous as well. So go check it out!