Educators can view and show students the two part “The Small Matter of Big Science” educational video for free by visiting Youtube and searching for “The Small Matter of Big Science” or clicking on the links below.

The video, aimed at high school students, explores the evolution of science through the lens of nuclear physics. Part 1 takes us from mankind's basic curiosity about our origins, starting in ancient Greece all the way to modern isotope research at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University. Central themes include the journey from table top experiments to large industrial science endeavors and how scientific research has changed over the decades, the development of the Periodic table and the chart of nuclides and the history of nuclear discovery from Thompson through E.O. Lawrence.

Part 2 texamines the importance of science investment and the consequences of ceding science leadership. A host of leading scientists discuss the history of exploration, applications of cutting edge research and what the future might hold if science policy and education continues along the current path.