DragonflyTV

Not to be confused with Dragonfly Film and Television Productions.

DragonflyTV
Format	Children's television series
Created by	Twin Cities Public Television
Starring	Eric Artell, Michael Brandon Battle, and Mariko Nakasone
Country of origin	United States
No. of seasons	7
No. of episodes	72
Production
Running time	30 Minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	PBS
Original run	2002 – 2009

DragonflyTV is a science education television series for children aged 6–12, produced by Twin Cities Public Television, broadcast on most PBS stations. DragonflyTV showcases our most eager young scientists in a way that encourages all kids to discover the wonders of science. It’s a new approach in science television for kids, because it features ordinary children and their own science investigations. Whether shooting over moguls on freeride skis, getting up close and personal with alligators, or cooking up experiments in their own kitchens, the DragonflyTV kids empower viewers to explore, question, and learn. In each episode, children tell how they pursued their own investigations, communicating the infectious excitement that comes with making their own discoveries. Seasons 1-4 are co-hosted by Michael Brandon Battle and Mariko Nakasone. Seasons 5-7 are hosted by Eric Artell and are produced in partnership with science museums. Major funding for DragonflyTV is provided by the National Science Foundation. Additional funding for Seasons 1 - 4 is provided by the Best Buy Children's Foundation.

The TV series may be seen on local public television stations (check local listings) and in commercial syndication. All episodes can also be viewed online at pbskidsgo.org/dragonflytv. Free activity guides for educators may be downloaded from pbs.org/teachers. A set of free science games are online at http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/games/index.html. As of 2010, reruns of DragonflyTV currently air on Fox Network.

Episodes

Season 1 (2002)

1. Wheels

Production Code: 101

January 19, 2002

Twin Motocross Racers Tamara and Tara explore what impact their body positions have on their motorcycle jumps, while Skateboarders Scott and Anthony experiment with different sized wheels that have the best in terms of maximizing speed and maneuverability. Two young inventors named Patrick and Justin show how skis and scooters can pair up to speed through the snow.

2. Animal Behavior

Production Code: 102

January 20, 2002

Dog owners Anna and Laura test their dog's performances on intelligence tests, while Jouse and Michelle compare otter grooming habits.

3. Water

Production Code: 103

January 31, 2002

Champion surfer Carsten explores how the terrain around different beaches affects the sport on waves, while Hilary investigates how dolphins make friends, observing pair bonding among dolphins. Also in this episode, Valerie and Margie tackle two twisty waterslides to determine which is speediest and most "wild."

4. Rocks

Production Code: 104

February 28, 2002

Simi, Jenny and Danny kayak down a raging river and learn how rock size affects speed, while Climbers Gordon and Jesse explore different types of rock as they scale sheer cliffs in Aspen, Colorado.

5. Flight

Production Code: 105

March 16, 2002

Alex and Ryan, model airplane pilots, investigate how different wing designs affect how the stunt planes perform. David, Abby and Alex use a thermal camera to determine how the terrain below affects the paraglider in flight.

6. Weather

Production Code: 106

April 30, 2002

Melissa and Elizabeth visit the site of a recent tornado and examine the damage to determine the tornado's strength on the F Scale. Sullivan and Alexa engineer their own tornado model to explore how tornados are made. Also Mari and Lindsay test traditional forecasts against modern weather predictions.

7. Technology

Production Code: 107

May 7, 2002

A GEMS team (Girls in Engineering, Math and Science) make a robot to compete in the "First LEGO League" contest. Isaac and Anjali find out how their model solar car performs as the sun moves across the sky at different times of day.

8. Plants

Production Code: 108

June 21, 2002

Elissa and Julia track a swarm of weevils charged with saving the Everglades from invasive melaleuca trees, while certified Scuba divers Megan and Ian meet some amazing creatures in an underwater kelp forest. Maddie, Mia, Ally and Mikki investigate how leaves change color in the fall.

9. Air

Production Code: 109

July 11, 2002

GiGi and Emmanuel investigate how sail position affects speed of sailboats, and Masha and Patsy check out how the temperature inside a hot-air balloon makes them soar in the sky or sink to the ground.

10. Human Behavior

Production Code: 110

July 19, 2002

Maddy and Martina investigate how inaccurate human perception can be. Zahabiya and Christopher investigate people's reactions to roller coasters.

11. Space

Production Code: 111

August 12, 2002

Sarah, Shakivia and Erica send coconut snacks into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle to investigate how the coconut would be as a space food. Chris and Vanessa make models of moon craters, then compare their models with the view through their own telescopes.

12. Human Body

Production Code: 112

August 24, 2002

Young Martial Arts athletes Kha and Peta determine how different tae kwon do moves challenge their bodies' skeletal and muscular systems, and then attempt to do what they learned in competition.

13. String

Production Code: 113

August 31, 2002 The Yo-yo Has a String.

Season 2 (2003)

Teams of DFTV’s kid scientists demonstrate different approaches to investigations – experimental, engineering, and observational.

1. Investigate!

Production Code: 201

January 31, 2003

Elliot and Rhianna explore how to avoid dizziness while performing their most difficult figure skating spins. Kart racers Allie and Paige of Team “Beat the Boys,” use an onboard computer to find the optimum gear ratio for their kart before a race. Do big animals grow faster than small animals? Matt, Kyndal and Danny experiment by tracking the growth patterns of a chick, a piglet and a calf. Dr. Phillip Tong explains the art and science of inventing new ice cream flavors.

2. Structures

Production Code: 202

February 20, 2003

Can snow keep you warm? Morgan, Rio and Thianna of Aspen, Colorado, explore the mysteries of insulation by building an igloo-like shelter called a quinzhee, and measuring the temperatures inside and outside all night long. Brenett, Kim, Lucretia and Omney test straw, stucco and cinder blocks to find the most economical and durable building material and engineer Jose Rostrepo designs earthquake-resistant buildings.

3. Sports Science

Production Code: 203

March 24, 2003

Dana and Alicia build a soccer ball kicking machine to determine how muscle power and leg speed affect their kicks. Matt and Kelley explore how boat speed affects their ability to perform waterskiing stunts. Alex, Sarah and Sasha determine which length of “balancing pole” is most effective on the highwire and Microsoft game designer David Ortiz designs Xbox’s NFL Fever 2002 game.

4. Spinning

Production Code: 204

April 3, 2003

Jon, Andrew and Zach explore how different arm positions affect their 360-degree spins in the freeride skiing half-pipe.Yo-Yo champs John, Kevin and Minna find out if a longer yo-yo string makes a yo-yo sleep longer and meteorologist Jason Dunion researches the power of hurricanes.

5. Propulsion

Production Code: 205

April 31, 2003^{[dubious – discuss]}

Mary Lynn, Jessica and Aren test different model rocket designs to find out which features increase how high the rocket flies. Kart racers Allie and Paige of Team “Beat the Boys” use an on-board computer to find the optimum gear ratio for their kart before a race and engineer Dick Yue investigates how fish swim with “Robotuna”, a robotic tuna.

6. Human Body

Production Code: 206

May 20, 2003

Figure skaters Elliot and Rhianna explore how to avoid dizziness while performing their most difficult spins. Aaron and Justin investigate which SPF lotion really works best at keeping out the sun’s harmful UV rays. Jada and Maurna test their friends to determine whether physical activity improves memory and Dr. Phillip Tong explains the art and science of inventing new ice cream flavors.

7. Sound

Production Code: 207

June 13, 2003

Kyla and Jenna explore how the beats per minute (BPM) of hip-hop songs affect the way a dancer dances. Sabrina and Tarissa use a decibel meter to monitor the surprising and sometimes dangerous sounds in their favorite New York hang-outs. Julian and Sabrina create sound spectrum snapshots of prairie dog barks to explore animal communication and scientist Joseph Pompei pinpoints sound with his “Audio Spotlight.”

8. Technology

Production Code: 208

June 16, 2003

Ravi and his friends pit GPS technology against a traditional compass and map to determine which orienteering tools are most effective. Karl engineers a robot, modifying and testing its “weapons” for the greatest competitive edge and teen scientist Ryan Patterson demonstrates his award-winning electronic glove that translates sign language.

9. Ecosystems

Production Code: 209

July 3, 2003

Andy, Mason and Marshall investigate whether more salmon thrive in Washington’s Dewatto River or Union River. Carlos and Akeem study the nesting habits of Juno Beach’s baby turtles, determining what conditions are optimal for survival. Victoria and Alejandra investigate why some plants thrive and others cannot withstand the elements on the Guadalupe-Nipomo Sand Dunes and tree-climbing scientist Nalini Nadkarni explores the survival of forest canopies.

10. Underwater

Production Code: 210

July 30, 2003

Chris, Cory, Nikki and Bruce design and use their own deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to explore the health of their local coral reefs. Ronnie and Denise investigate the fish population in their tribal lakes. Kristen and Christopher track manatees, using the scars inflicted on the animals by boat motors as identifying marks and aquatic scientist Lisa MacCartney shares her fascination with octopi.

11. Mammals

Production Code: 211

August 5, 2003

Do big animals grow faster than small animals? Matt, Kyndal and Danny track the growth patterns of a chick, a piglet, and a calf. Robyn and Alex alter some sea lions' diets to see if food impacts the amount of time the animals hunt and play. Cleo, Brittany and Molly investigate if their cats have a “dominant paw,” and primate specialist Lisa Parr tests chimpanzees to better understand the human mind.

12. Earth Explorations

Production Code: 212

August 26, 2003

JR and Ari investigate why Moab’s mountain biking terrain varies so widely. Caitlyn, Meredith and Margi explore how sinkholes form and mineralogist Liz Arredondo uses garnets to uncover the earth’s secrets.

13. Creepy Crawlies

Production Code: 213

October 4, 2003

TJ and Courtney explore whether crocodiles can be trained to do simple tasks. LeighAnne and Carmen investigate the relationship between a snake’s tongue flicking and its food preference. Environmentalist Kevin "digs worms" – literally, and shows how to build your own worm farm. Entomologist Betty Faber studies the complexities of cockroaches.

Season 3 (2004)

1. Investigate!

Production Code: 301

January 4, 2004

While rafting on the American River, Rasheed, Kohner, Scotty and JB measure the river grade, water flow and study the flow patterns around eddies, holes, and tongues. Rachel and Sarah build their own hovercraft out of plywood, a picnic tablecloth and a leaf blower. Young equestriennes Mallory and Ting don faux horse ears, positioned to signal both contentedness and aggression, to investigate how their horses communicate and NASA robotics research engineer, Dr. Ayanna Howard, uses artificial intelligence (AI) to make robots “smarter.”

2. Sports Science

Production Code: 302

January 12, 2004

Avid ski jumpers Karl, Garrett and Johnny use GPS technology to examine the differences between modern and “old school” jumping styles. Hockey players Tess, Alison and Christina investigate how sticks of different stiffness affect the speed of their shots. Mike Lowe and Brian Sidwell design and test bicycle helmets for ultimate safety and weather resistance.

3. Wind

Production Code: 303

February 20, 2004

Danielle, an accomplished sport kite flyer, wants to learn how the height-width proportion of a kite (called its aspect ratio) affects the kite’s performance during competitive maneuvers. Using common household items, Nathanial constructs his own wind tunnel to measure the aerodynamic efficiency of toy race cars. Weather researcher Ameri Gurley studies the damaging effects of tornadoes and hurricanes.

4. Forensics

Production Code: 304

March 1, 2004

Kalia and Caroline use forensic research methods to gather evidence at a birthday party “crime scene.” Aaron and Tevi examine the construction of the Coral Castle, a Florida landmark consisting of over 1,000 tons of coral, to solve the mysteries behind its construction. Jose Alimirall is a criminalist who uses forensic science to solve legal disputes. Using physical evidence such as glass, residue, or drugs, he identifies criminals and helps bring them to justice.

5. Engineering

Production Code: 305

March 30, 2004

Rachel and Sarah build their own hovercraft out of plywood, a picnic tablecloth and a leaf blower. Ciara, Brittney and Maria engineer a boat entirely out of milk cartons to enter in a hometown race. Mechanical engineer Una-May O’Reilly designs mobile robots. Her research in artificial intelligence (AI) will eventually give human faces and personalities to robots.

6. Earth Systems

Production Code: 306

April 20, 2004

While rafting on the American River, Rasheed, Kohner, Scotty and JB measure the river grade, water flow and study the flow patterns around eddies, holes and tongues. Underwater geologist Carol Reiss’ research helps scientists better understand earthquakes. She has studied the ocean floor firsthand in the submersible, the Turtle.

7. Animal Behavior

Production Code: 307

May 10, 2004

Young equestriennes Mallory and Ting don faux horse ears, positioned to signal both contentedness and aggression, to investigate how their horses communicate. Keshia and Ashley visit the New Jersey Aquarium to explore ways to keep the African penguins busy and active, by observing their behavior at feeding time. Neurobiologist Erich Jarvis studies birds and their songs, to learn how the brain controls complex behaviors, such as language.

8. Speed

Production Code: 308

June 11, 2004

Speedskaters Eric, Lisa, Ned and Sarah investigate what types of turns optimize their speed and maneuverability in short track racing. To determine which tire pressure will allow them to maintain speed and control through turns, mountainboarders, Sean, Ben and Neil create a mini-course and ride it at different tire pressures. Ryan Newman, NASCAR driver and engineer, creates faster, safer race cars using mathematics, computer simulations and other technologies.

9. Health

Production Code: 309

June 18, 2004

Cancer survivor Jeff and his sister Jenny conduct a study with kids undergoing medical treatments to see if pets can help lessen pain. Jordan and Sydney use Glo-Germ technology to track the spread of germs from their hands and clothes at a party with their friends. Cameron and Ashley investigate if skipping breakfast affects their classmates’ testing abilities and nutritionist, Corey Scott, researches the nutritional composition of fruits and vegetables to help develop healthier snacks.

10. Habitats

Production Code: 310

July 21, 2004

Marie and Michelle explore the California Cavern to discover how speleothems vary with differing conditions in the cave. Gillian considers the properties of two neighboring lizard habitats to understand why lizards are numerous in one and not the other. Susie and Katie investigate what's causing the malformations at their neighborhood frog pond. Biologist Erin Gilliam uses a “virtual bat,” which is a technology that mimics real bat sounds and calls.

11. Games

Production Code: 311

August 31, 2004

Lara wants to know how she and her fifth-grade friends can gain a competitive advantage against the older kids at YMCA camp. Jay and Jonathan investigate how their starting hand position on the ball affects scoring from the free-throw line. Mary Jane and Eliza investigate the physics behind carnival games to increase their chances of winning and engineer Katie Broughton designs and builds motorized toys that mimic real-life motion.

12. Space/Astronomy

Production Code: 312

September 13, 2004

Tianna and Sammy investigate weightlessness in space by watching what happens to their favorite toys in a free-fall “drop box.” Young astronomers T.J. and Trey trek the Arizona desert to learn what infra-red imaging can reveal about the Martian landscape. Megan, Monica, Jenny and Emilia create miniature weather monitors and launch them on their model rockets to learn what it takes to successfully record data on a distant planet. Dr. Ayanna Howard is a robotics research engineer who uses artificial intelligence (AI) to make robots “smarter.”

13. Dogs

Production Code: 313

November 1, 2004

Veteran mushers Alexa, Jenaya and Miriah want to create a “dream team” of sled dogs so they test their dogs’ several compatibility factors. Elizabeth and Caitlin create a fetching investigation using colored and grey tennis balls to determine if their pets Sassie and Chime are colorblind. Ben Ho trains dogs in search and rescue (SAR) techniques. His work has aided lost hikers, natural disaster victims and survivors of the extreme 9/11 tragedy in New York City.

Season 4 (2005)

1. Energy

Production Code: 401

January 4, 2005

En garde! Paula and Alyssa investigate the energy and impact of different fencing moves. Kha and Peta, young martial arts athletes, determine how different tae kwon do moves challenge their bodies’ skeletal and muscular systems and then apply what they learned in competition. Dr. Joel Boyd orthopedic surgeon works with athletes to get them ready for the game.

2. Engineering

Production Code: 402

January 8, 2005

Kid engineers Bob and Brennan fine-tune the number of tire studs required to speed a bike across a frozen lake. Karl engineers a robot, modifying and testing its “weapons” for the greatest competitive edge. Ayanna doesn’t just make robots, she makes robots smarter. She’s using artificial intelligence to build the next mars rover.

3. Animal Behavior

Production Code: 403

January 25, 2005

Jerika and Shannon stage a mini-Olympics for their pet rabbits, observing how different breeds – and different body types – fare in the bunny challenges. Robyn and Alex alter some sea lions' diets to see if food impacts the amount of time the animals hunt and play and primate specialist, Lisa Parr, tests chimpanzees to better understand the human mind.

4. Friction

Production Code: 404

February 30, 2005

Slippery scientists Mimi, Haley, Tara and Lauren investigate how the rotation of the curling stone and the act of sweeping the ice changes the path of the stone… and determine the winner! Rachel and Sarah build their own hovercraft out of plywood, a picnic tablecloth and a leaf blower and travis uses science and engineering to create innovative solar race cars.

5. Sound

Production Code: 405

March 8, 2005

Against the bumpin’ backdrop of a volleyball game, Brittney and Maggie explore how noisy communication with their teammates affects their performance. Sabrina and Tarissa use a decibel meter to monitor the surprising and sometimes dangerous sounds in their favorite New York hang-outs. Neurobiologist Erich Jarvis studies birds and their songs to learn how the brain controls complex behaviors, such as language.

6. Canines

Production Code: 406

April 14, 2005

Who’s afraid of the big, bad wolf? Not Zachary and Jerit, who explore pack behavior to figure out how wolves know the “top dogs” – the alpha male and female. Veteran mushers Alexa, Jenaya and Miriah want to create a “dream team” of sled dogs, so they test their dogs’ several compatibility factors. Ben Ho trains dogs in search and rescue (SAR) techniques. His work has aided lost hikers, natural disaster victims and survivors of the extreme 9/11 tragedy in New York City.

7. Science at Play

Production Code: 407

May 25, 2005

Francesca, Marnika and Precious jump into a Double Dutch investigation to figure out whether they depend more on seeing the rope or on hearing its rhythmic snap. Maddy and Martina investigate how unreliable human perception can be. Corliss Outley is a scientist who studies play habits of children in large cities. Whether a child lives in the country or in the city, she has found that all children look for places to play in their area.

8. Earth Systems

Production Code: 408

June 25, 2005

Elizabeth and Margie hit the links at the Science Museum of Minnesota to explore how rivers change the shape of the landscape. Victoria and Alejandra investigate why some plants thrive and others cannot withstand the elements on the Guadalupe-Nipomo Sand Dunes and tree-climbing scientist, Nalini Nadkarni, explores the survival of forest canopies.

9. At the Zoo

Production Code: 409

July 26, 2005

Chelsea and Camille invent enrichment equipment for zoo animals. Julian and Sabrina create sound spectrum snapshots of prairie dog barks to explore animal communication. Dr. Laurie Marker is a “hero of the planet” for her work in preserving cheetahs in Africa. At the Cheetah Conservation Fund, she works with other scientists who study and care for these magnificent cats. She has developed ways for cheetahs and ranchers to live side-by-side, making the African plains safe for both parties.

10. Chemistry

Production Code: 410

August 29, 2005

Young chemists explore the formulations of make-up like lip gloss and lotion to determine the most marketable new products. Kalia and Caroline use forensic research methods to gather evidence at a birthday party “crime scene.” Dr. Phillip Tong explains the art and science of inventing new ice cream flavors.

11. Human Body

Production Code: 411

August 30, 2005

Divers Niki and Jaq use a high-speed camera to explore how their body positions reduce splash and improves their performance. Avid ski jumpers Karl, Garrett and Johnny use GPS technology to examine the differences between modern and “old school” jumping styles. Andy is a project scientist at the MIT Center for Space Research. His current project is to study how humans adapt to the topsy-turvy, zero-gravity atmosphere of long space flights.

12. Mammals

Production Code: 412

August 31, 2005

Mickey and her new friends observe the world’s fastest cats at the Cheetah Conservation Fund site in Namibia, Africa. Do big animals grow faster than small animals? Matt, Kyndal and Danny track the growth patterns of a chick, a piglet and a calf. Large animal vet, John Fetrow, otherwise known as Dr. Moo, works at Wisconsin’s Cow Transition Management Facility where he researches the birth cycle of cows.

13. Simple Machines

Production Code: 413

November 15, 2005

Angus and Jonathon team up for some medieval adventure, as they design, build and test a trebuchet. Kart racers Allie and Paige of Team “Beat the Boys,” use an onboard computer to find the optimum gear ratio for their kart before a race. Tammy never gets all bent out of shape! She's a bioengineer who specializes in seat ergonomics, which helps people sit in healthier postures.

Season 5

1. Pittsburgh

Production Code: 501

Amy and Maya investigate why bogs help keep organic material from decaying and view the preserved humans in “The Mysterious Bog People,” a traveling exhibit at Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Tyler and Aditya design their own rollercoaster and test it on a simulator at the Carnegie Science Center, finishing their investigation on “Phantom’s Revenge,” a roller coaster at a nearby amusement park. And at the Pittsburgh Convention Center, DragonflyTV reveals a Science Secret that makes other cities green with envy.

2. Dallas & Fort Worth

Production Code: 502

Fossil detectives Brandy and Ashley discover that not everything about dinosaurs is gigantic when they dig for microfossils with the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Reed and Nick get game at the Science Place in Dallas, answering the question: so just where is the “sweet spot” on my bat? And in Science Secret, DragonflyTV uncovers a very clever pesticide at Discovery Gardens, a certified organic public garden.

3. Los Angeles

Production Code: 503

Milan and Harison go deep, comparing California fish at the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific to those in the wild. While at the California Science Center’s Big Lab, Max and Brian create model sailboats and then set sail in the Pacific to determine the most efficient design. And DragonflyTV heads to the La Brea Tar Pits in the Science Secret to check out the Ice Age inhabitants of L.A.

4. Minneapolis & Saint Paul

Production Code: 504

Inspired by the IMAX movie Stomp, Maxine and Hannah create their own musical instruments at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Rylee, who uses a myoelectric prosthetic arm, heads to The Bakken Museum and Library to explore how the electrical signals in her body help her arm function. And Paige and Nick check out the “Animal Grossology” exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota before investigating how animals depend on their sense of smell at the Minnesota Zoo. In the Science Secret, find out what happens when you fill the Mall of America, one of world’s largest shopping malls, with almost 40 million visitors each year.

5. New York

Production Code: 505

Jenn and Emily, members of the Junior United States Luge Team, slip slide away at the New York Hall of Science playground, investigating gravity and then applying what they learn to maximize their timings on the icy tracks at Lake Placid. Stanley and Jessica go ape, checking out the Bronx Zoo’s Congo Gorilla Forest to see how plants and animals coexist in the layers of the African Rainforest. In the Science Secret, find out what’s not so natural about New York’s Central Park—the most frequently visited urban park in the United States.

6. Phoenix & Tucson

Production Code: 506

Alexandra and Anna learn about construction techniques at the Arizona Science Center’s “Many Hands Make a Home” exhibit, trying out what they learn on a house for their dog, Rupert. Alex and Mark head to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum to see which creatures make the Saguaro cactus home. And in the Science Secret, DragonflyTV learns how Chase Field—the only facility in world that has retractable roof, air conditioning and a natural turf field—keeps its grass green and growing.

7. San Francisco

Production Code: 507 Starting at Lawrence Hall of Science, Claire and Nisha walk the lines—the San Andreas and Hayward fault lines—to learn what causes earthquakes. Inspired by the “Light and Color” exhibit at the Exploratorium, a group of industrious middle schoolers create their own interactive art installation. And in Science Secret, DragonflyTV demystifies how antique cable cars continue to conquer the city’s incredible hills.

Season 6

1. Alaska

Production Code: 601

Deborah and Brittani stop by the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in Juneau to get infomration on glaciers before hopping a helicopter to study the size and location of the glacier using a combination of old photographs and modern equipment. At the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, Emma and Grace of Ketchikan learn about the Tongass National Forest, the largest temperate rain forest in the world, and investigate tree growth rates.

2. New Mexico

Production Code: 602

Alex and Andrew take their interest in hot air balloons to new heights at Explora before participating in Albuquerque’s annual International Balloon Fiesta. Emily and Isabel learn about caves at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science then help band cave swallows at world renowned Carlsbad Caverns.

3. North Carolina

Production Code: 603

In Winston-Salem, Imran and Nabiel investigate what it takes to raise animals on a farm through observations of animals at SciWorks, a dairy farm, and a donkey farm. And super SciGirls Sophia, Valencia, and Sarah get inspired at the North Carolina Museum of Life and Science in Durham to compare the level of biodiversity in three different types of wetlands.

4. Montana/Yellowstone

Production Code: 604

Ellen and Nicole dig up a dinosaur bone at Egg Mountain in Montana and then figure out the age of this dinosaur when it died at the Museum of the Rockies. Phoebe and Shannon stop by the Yellowstone National Park’s Canyon Visitor Center before letting loose in the park to investigate why some areas in Yellowstone have geysers and others do not.

5. New England

Production Code: 605

Elle, John, Nick and Linnea prepare for MIT’s Friday After Thanksgiving Chain Reaction event by building dynamic, kinetic sculptures with the help of the MIT Museum in Cambridge, MA. Chloe and Jessie investigate water pressure at the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, VT and create a gravity-powered fountain.

6. The Deep South

Production Code: 606

Joshua and Sean get down and dirty in Birmingham, Alabama, with “garbology” at the Southern Environmental Center. In Jackson, Mississippi, Katelyn and Blake learn about the swamp habitats alligators prefer with the help of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science.

7. Hawaii

Production Code: 607

Starting at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park’s Kilauea Visitor Center, Briana and Julia learn all about lava flow on the Big Island. And DragonflyTV explorers Zach and Devin swim with sea turtles at the Maui Ocean Center while helping assess the readiness of captive-born juveniles for release into the wild.

Season 7

1. Size and Scale

Production Code: 701

What's Nano? Ebony and Jasmine catch the Amazing Nano Brothers Juggling Show at the Museum of Science (http://www.mos.org) in Boston. The show gets them thinking, "How big is a billion? And how small is a billionth?" They search Boston for examples of a billion, then visit laboratories at Harvard University to find examples of nanoscale objects on their quest to "see" a nanometer. Where's Nano? Regina, Linda, Harrison, Jared, Lorenz and Randi, visit the "Zoom In" exhibit at the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center (http://www.moreheadplanetarium.org) in Chapel Hill. They wonder what examples of nanoscale science and technology they can find in their everyday lives. Their nano "scavenger hunt" takes them to the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, where a scientist helps them print images of nanoscale structures. The kids then create a visual representation of their findings to display at the science center.

2. Structure of Matter

Production Code: 702

Hockey Sticks Nicholas and Jordan love hockey. They know that carbon nanotubes are used in some hockey sticks, but aren't sure how the tiny structures change the equipment. They head to Boston's Museum of Science (http://www.mos.org) to learn more about carbon nanotubes. Then, they put their sticks to the test on the ice. Finally, with help from scientists at Harvard University, they compare the tensile strength of the sticks and use powerful microscopes to "see" carbon nanotubes. Butterfly Wings Emily and Julie check out the Magic Wings Butterfly House at the Museum of Life and Science (http://www.ncmls.org) in Durham. They wonder why butterfly wings are so colorful. They learn that iridescence in some butterfly wings—like the iridescence of soap bubbles—results from their structure. At Duke University, the girls learn how to determine whether colors in wings are the result of pigment or nanoscale structures. They test butterfly wings and learn that blue iridescence is due to structure, not pigment.

3. Small is Different

Production Code: 703

Surface Area After discovering that ordinary flour dust can be explosive, Lara and Anushua explore the importance of surface to area to volume ratio at the Science Museum of Minnesota (http://www.smm.org). They conduct soda explosion experiments in the museum's Big Back Yard, investigating how surface area affects reactions. Finally, they visit the University of Minnesota where they learn how scientists are developing more affordable solar cells with nanotechnology. Stained Glass Alettie and Yvonne visit the Glass Experience exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry (http://www.msichicago.org) in Chicago and learn that nanoparticles are responsible for the colors in some medieval stained glass. The girls are surprised to learn that nanogold makes glass red! They go to Northwestern University to explore the relationship between size and color of nanoparticles. They create different sizes of gold and silver nanoparticles to produce a variety of colors, which they use to make their own works of art.

4. Forces at the Nanoscale

Production Code: 704

Gecko Feet Jennifer and Nooshin like rock climbing. They wonder how some lizards can climb rocks so easily. They visit the Lawrence Hall of Science (http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org) in Berkeley and compare the climbing ability of different lizards. They notice that the best climbers are geckos. They visit a lab at the University of California Berkeley to find out why, learning that special, nanoscale hairs on gecko feet are the secret to their amazing climbing abilities. Nasturtium Leaves Jasmine and Melinda wonder why water beads up on some plants and not others. They head to San Francisco's Exploratorium (http://www.exploratorium.edu), where they learn that surfaces at the nanoscale aren't always smooth, and that nano hairs on nasturtium leaves cause them to repel water. They take some plant samples to Stanford University to compare the structure of nasturtium leaves to water-resistant fabric.

5. Applications

Production Code: 705

Self Assembly Keely and Connor learn about self-assembly at the Children's Museum of Houston They visit Rice University, where scientists use self-assembly to make things at the nanoscale. At Rice, a scientist helps the kids use self-assembly to make and "pop" microcapsules. The kids then try out a similar technique at home, encapsulating chocolate sauce, mint and other flavors in alginate beads to serve on ice cream. Bone Regrowth Kobel, Nathan, and Adam go to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) where they learn that scientists use nanotechnology to help regenerate nerves and bones. A scientist from Brown University explains that a solution of nanotubes and minerals is injected into a fracture and forms a scaffold to encourage bone regrowth. The kids ask why both ingredients are needed for bone repair and they try solutions with different amounts of each ingredient on sponges and test how much weight each treated sponge supports.

6. Nanotechnology and Society

Production Code: 706

Water Clean Up Taylor and Gabe go to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia and learn that nano-iron is being used to neutralize toxins in ground water. They collect soil samples from a contaminated site, then take them to Penn State University to test the efficacy of nano-iron treatments. Nanosilver Sarah and Mande visit the Sciencenter in Ithaca and learn that nanosilver is used in some socks to kill bacteria, keeping them odor-free. They wonder if the nanosilver in socks leaches out when you wash them, causing potential harm to beneficial bacteria and the environment. They buy two different brands of nanosocks and wash them. Then they take the socks and their wash water to Cornell University to test their effects on common bacteria.

Funding

• Best Buy (2002-2003)
• National Science Foundation (2002-2009)
• Viewers Like You (2002-2005)
• Donald Weesner Charitable Trust Foundation (2002-2013)

External links

• DragonflyTV at the Internet Movie Database
• DragonflyTV at TV.com
• Twin Cities Public Television