TED-Ed
Season 2026
Various intellectual subjects are presented in animation.
Where to Watch TED-Ed • Season 2026
18 Episodes
- How Japan saved its biggest city from collapse - Roman KrznaricE1
How Japan saved its biggest city from collapse - Roman Krznaric400 years ago, Edo was on the verge of ecological collapse. Years of intense logging had led to massive deforestation and the city faced timber shortages, severe erosion, and frequent flooding. But over just a few decades, Edo became one of the most sustainable and efficient cities in history. So, how did this come about? Roman Krznaric explores Edo's transformation into a circular economy. Lesson by Roman Krznaric, directed by Héloïse Dorsan-Rachet. - Upstairs, downstairs: The life of a British maid - Stephanie Honchell SmithE2
Upstairs, downstairs: The life of a British maid - Stephanie Honchell SmithIt’s just before dawn in 1906 at Wroxton Abbey, and 16-year-old Alice Sutton’s mind is already spinning. The underhousemaid has a full day ahead of her as the estate prepares for the evening’s guest: Prince Arthur. This is Alice’s chance to prove herself to her new employers — but there are other forces at play. Stephanie Honchell Smith details a day in the life of a servant in Edwardian England. Lesson by Stephanie Honchell Smith, directed by Anton Bogaty. - Will laser blasters ever be possible? - Christopher BairdE3
Will laser blasters ever be possible? - Christopher BairdA fleet of rebel spaceships is greeted by a frenzy of laser blasts – illuminating the sector with brilliant bursts of light. Science fiction has shown us scenes like this for decades, but the lasers in our daily lives seem far less dazzling and destructive. So, could sci-fi laser weaponry ever exist? And how do lasers even work in the first place? Christopher Baird investigates. Lesson by Christopher Baird, directed by Igor Ćorić, Artrake Studio. - Kiranmala: The tale of the princess who conquered Magic Mountain - Malay BeraE4
Kiranmala: The tale of the princess who conquered Magic Mountain - Malay BeraInspired by a king’s visit, a trio of siblings began building a palace, traveling far and wide to collect rare jewels, seeds, and marble. A holy man stopped by and told them of a Magic Mountain, east of north and north of east, where they’d find their most meaningful treasures. But, he said, only a true hero could complete the journey. Malay Bera shares the Bengali tale of Kiranmala's quest. Lesson by Malay Bera, directed by Héloïse Dorsan-Rachet. Although this folktale exists in multiple oral variants across the Bengali-speaking world, this video is based on a variant akin to the better-known literary version, “Kironmala", from Thakurmar Jhuli (1907), an anthology of Bengali folktales collected by Dakshinaranjan Mitra Majumdar in the early 20th century. - The infamous JoJo thought experiment - Michael Vazquez and Sarah StroudE5
The infamous JoJo thought experiment - Michael Vazquez and Sarah StroudJo the First is a ruthless dictator who rules with an iron fist. To most onlookers, his rule appears cruel and unjust. But for his beloved son JoJo, this life is all he’s ever known and he grows up to inherit his father’s role and style of rule. Given JoJo’s unusual upbringing, does he bear full moral responsibility for his actions? Michael Vazquez and Sarah Stroud dig into this ethical dilemma. Lesson by Michael Vazquez and Sarah Stroud, directed by Skirmanta Jakaitė, Art Shot. - The boy who defeated the god of the underworld - Joseph MbeleE7
The boy who defeated the god of the underworld - Joseph MbeleIf any of his wives ever birthed a son, he’d be killed immediately. That was the threat Shemwindo, ruler of the village of Tubondo, had delivered, for he wanted all the power to himself. But he was about to meet his match— and enter a rivalry that would take him to the underworld and back. Joseph Mbele shares the epic journey of Mwindo and his quest for vengeance. Lesson by Joseph Mbele, directed by Raghav Arumugam, Jagriti Khirwar. - What causes herpes, and how can you treat it? - Christine JohnstonE8
What causes herpes, and how can you treat it? - Christine Johnston In the 1st century CE, Emperor Tiberius made an unprecedented decision: banning kissing at all public events. This move was aimed at thwarting a puzzling outbreak, which many historians believe was an epidemic of oral herpes. Today, more than half the population is infected with herpes simplex virus. So, what causes herpes? And how can we treat it? Christine Johnston examines this stealthy virus. Lesson by Christine Johnston, directed by Igor Ćorić, Artrake Studio. - 5 myths about Vikings that everyone believes - Stephanie H. SmithE9
5 myths about Vikings that everyone believes - Stephanie H. SmithThe Viking Age. When medieval, horn-helmeted Scandinavian men ravaged Europe, scribbling mysterious runes and toasting their victories in goblets forged from enemy skulls before bidding farewell in fiery funerals. Except… that’s not quite how it went. So, what were the Vikings actually like? Stephanie H. Smith debunks common misconceptions about the time period. Lesson by Stephanie H. Smith, directed by Avi Ofer. - What is vaginal discharge, and what does it say about your health? - Elizabeth MicksE10
What is vaginal discharge, and what does it say about your health? - Elizabeth MicksOur bodies are constantly producing, purging, and recycling secretions to fulfill all sorts of functions. Our reproductive organs are no exception. Vaginas are engaged in ongoing cycles of fluid discharge. But it can be hard to know what is "normal" when there’s a taboo in talking about it. So, what’s healthy discharge? And when is there cause for concern? Elizabeth Micks investigates. Lesson by Elizabeth Micks, directed by Juliana Erazo. - Decoding the secrets of the Antikythera mechanism - Max G. LevyE11
Decoding the secrets of the Antikythera mechanism - Max G. Levy In 1900, Greek divers stumbled upon a 2,000-year-old shipwreck whose contents would shake our understanding of the ancient world. Among the remains were fragments of mangled wood and corroded metal, which archaeologists soon realized were parts of the oldest geared device ever discovered — and humankind’s first computer. So, how did it work? Max G. Levy explains the Antikythera mechanism. Lesson by Max G. Levy, directed by Vicente Numpaque, Hernando Bahamon, Globizco Studios. - 3 things that can cause painful periods - Chen X. ChenE12
3 things that can cause painful periods - Chen X. ChenPeriod pain affects hundreds of millions of people. Anywhere from 50 to 90% of people who menstruate deal with painful abdominal or pelvic cramps during their period. Individual experiences can vary, from mild discomfort, to throbbing aches, to contraction-like cramps that rival the pain of labor. So, why do menstrual cramps hurt so much? Chen X. Chen explains this surprisingly common experience. Lesson by Chen X. Chen, directed by Caitlin McCarthy. - The biggest myths about Neanderthals - Bruce HardyE13
The biggest myths about Neanderthals - Bruce Hardy In 1856, quarriers working in Germany’s Neander Valley discovered several mysterious fossils. The remains changed hands until being identified as the skullcap and femur bones of something ancient and human, but not quite us. It soon became clear they belonged to an extinct human species— the first ever known to science: Neanderthals. Bruce Hardy explores what happened to our evolutionary cousins. Lesson by Bruce Hardy, directed by Daniel Harisberger, Team Tumult. - Does hypnosis ever actually work? - Devin TerhuneE15
Does hypnosis ever actually work? - Devin TerhuneIn the 19th century, Scottish surgeon James Braid revolutionized the field of hypnotism, transitioning the practice towards inducing a sleep-like state. Today, hypnosis is used in psychiatry as a helpful medical tool, yet it still holds an entrancing place in popular fantasy. So, is there any truth to what it can accomplish? Or is it just illusion? Devin Terhune explores the power of suggestion. Lesson by Devin Terhune, directed by Leah Putnam. - The biggest mistake lottery winners makeE16
The biggest mistake lottery winners makeAfter winning the lottery, one of the first decisions you’d have to make is how you want your winnings to be paid out. You can choose the full jackpot amount, paid out in annual installments over 30 years. Or you can take a much smaller lump sum paid out immediately. So, which is the better option? Explore the financial implications of annuity and lump sum payments. Directed by Anton Bogaty. - How hat fashion has evolved throughout history - Alison L. GoodrumE17
How hat fashion has evolved throughout history - Alison L. Goodrum Humans have been fashioning caps since the dawn of civilization. A bearskin cap from the Bronze Age is one of the earliest surviving hats, discovered alongside Europe’s oldest mummy. Hats aren’t just for keeping heads warm or making a fashion statement— they’ve been used throughout history as a symbol of status, power, and politics. Alison L. Goodrum traces the illustrious history of headwear. Lesson by Alison L. Goodrum, directed by Biljana Labović. - How does the morning-after pill prevent pregnancy? - Alison EdelmanE18
How does the morning-after pill prevent pregnancy? - Alison Edelman In a 2021 study, researchers asked over 500 participants to explain how the morning-after pill worked. Despite these pills’ widespread use, 60% answered incorrectly. Emergency contraceptives are often misunderstood— even the phrase “the morning-after pill” is a misnomer. So, how do they work? Alison Edelman explores how two main types of emergency contraception disrupt or delay ovulation. Lesson by Alison Edelman, directed by Magali García.