TLDR;
This series of Sesame Street videos uses familiar characters like Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Grover to introduce young viewers to basic scientific concepts such as ramps, pulleys, shadows, levers, and bridges. Through engaging stories and problem-solving scenarios, the videos explain what these simple machines and phenomena are, how they work, and how they are used in everyday life.
- Ramps are sloping surfaces that help move things up and down.
- Pulleys are simple machines with wheels that make lifting easier.
- Shadows are formed when an object blocks light.
- Levers are tools that help lift heavy objects with less effort.
- Bridges are structures that span obstacles, allowing passage from one point to another.
What are ramps? [0:17]
Ameera introduces the concept of ramps to Elmo and Cookie Monster, explaining that ramps help people and things move up and down easily. They attempt to build an amazing machine using cardboard ramps, but the ball moves too fast and flies off. They try using rocks and bottle caps to make the ramps bumpier and slow the ball down, but neither works. Finally, they sprinkle sand on the ramps, which slows the ball just enough to deliver a cookie to Cookie Monster, revealing the machine's purpose.
What are pulleys? [5:18]
Elmo and Grover are building an animal kingdom castle, but struggle to raise their flag. Grover tries flying and climbing the pole, but fails. Ameera introduces the concept of a pulley as a simple machine with a wheel that helps lift things up, down, or side to side. Cookie Monster finds a pulley in his shed. They use clothes pins to attach the flag to the rope and successfully raise it using the pulley.
What is a shadow? [10:19]
Ameera starts a shadow show, explaining that shadows are made when an object blocks light. Elmo wants to make an elephant shadow, and they search Cookie Monster's shed for shapes. They use a box for the head, but realize it needs to be round, so they use Circle. A paper-towel roll becomes the trunk, and chicken provides the ears. Elmo creates an elephant shadow, demonstrating how different shapes combine to form shadows.
What are levers? [15:20]
Elmo, Ameera, and Cookie Monster are playing soccer, but Grover's statue blocks their goal. They can't move the trees or the statue. Ameera suggests using a lever to move the statue, explaining that a lever helps lift heavy things with a bottom piece and a long flat piece. Cookie Monster provides the materials, and they try using a soccer ball and an umbrella, but they don't work. They use a rock and a plank, and by adjusting the rock's position, they successfully move the statue.
What are ramps? [20:22]
Ameera introduces a game called "Knock 'Em Down," where the goal is to knock down bottles with a ball. Elmo fails to knock down all the bottles. They try a bigger ball, but it only knocks down one bottle. Elmo suggests making the ball go faster. Ameera introduces the concept of a ramp, explaining that the higher the angle, the faster the ball goes. They raise the ramp higher with Elephant's help and successfully knock down all the bottles.
What are bridges? [25:23]
Elmo and Ameera are having a rock race, but their rocks roll into a hole. Ameera suggests building a bridge to cross the hole, explaining that a bridge helps you cross from one place to another. They try using sticks and leaves, but the bridge breaks. Cookie Monster offers cookies, but they won't work. They use wooden boards to create a strong bridge, and their rocks successfully cross, resulting in a tie.
What are shadows? [30:24]
Elmo is drawing a flower, and Ameera points out its shadow, explaining that shadows are made when an object blocks light. They decide to play "Guess That Shadow," and Cookie Monster provides objects. Elmo guesses the crayon's shadow correctly by checking its shape. He also guesses Daddy's sock. To make the game harder, Ameera uses Grover in a funny hat, and Elmo guesses correctly.
What are levers? [35:26]
Grover is tired from racing and needs to deliver a statue to his granny's garden. Cookie Monster is organizing cookies with a pan balance, which Ameera explains is a special kind of lever for comparing weights. They decide to build a bigger pan balance using a stick, string, and baskets, with Grover's shoulder as the balance point. They try balancing a feather and a watering can, then a trumpet, and finally balance the items using chicken.
What are ramps? [40:27]
Elmo discovers Mezuzah stuck in a tree. Ameera explains that a ramp is a sloping surface that helps move things up and down. Cookie Monster offers a sugar cane, wood, cardboard, and a rake. The sugar cane is too narrow, the wood is too short, and the cardboard isn't strong enough. They remember Grover's old slide in the shed, which works perfectly as a ramp to get Mezuzah down.
What are shadows? [45:28]
Elmo and Ameera are playing hide-and-seek, and Ameera explains that a shadow is made when you block the sun with your body. They decide to play a game where one person makes a shadow, and the others trace it. Cookie Monster's shadow disappears when a cloud blocks the sun. They try using a fan to blow the cloud away, but it doesn't work. Circle makes a big round shadow, and Elmo draws it.
What are levers? [50:29]
Elmo and Ameera are having a pretend picnic, but Cookie Monster's giant cookie is too heavy to move. Ameera suggests using a lever, explaining that it helps lift heavy things. They try using a rock and a stick, but the stick breaks. Cookie Monster brings a shelf, which works as a lever, and they successfully lift the cookie into the cart for their picnic.
What are bridges? [55:29]
Elmo, Ameera, Cookie Monster, and Elephant are playing in their sand village, but a stream blocks their path to the garden. Ameera explains that a bridge is used to cross over things. They try using a branch, but it's too long. A crayon is too short, and a doohickey is too narrow. They combine two skinny sticks to create a bridge that's wide enough for their rock friends to cross safely.
What are pulleys? [1:00:31]
Elmo and Ameera are putting on a play, but Turtle can't get the bucket of feathers to the top. Ameera suggests using a pulley, explaining that it helps lift heavy things. They use a toy truck wheel and rope to create a pulley system, successfully lifting the bucket of feathers.
What are ramps? [1:05:33]
Elmo and Turtle are having a car race, but they encounter a mountain cliff. They need a way to roll down the cliff. Ameera explains that a ramp is a surface that helps move things from high to low. Cookie Monster provides cardboard, but the car moves slowly. They discover that the smooth side of the cardboard makes the car go faster, and they continue the race using the smooth ramp.
What are bridges? [1:10:32]
Elmo and Ameera are hosting a game of "How many pebbles can this bridge hold?" They build a bridge out of paper, but it's not strong enough. They use multiple pieces of paper, but it still breaks. They recall that bridges use different shapes to make them stronger and create a shaped paper bridge that holds five pebbles, setting a new record.
What is a shadow? [1:15:34]
Turtle builds a tower for Triangle, but Elmo accidentally knocks it down. Ameera explains that the sun makes a shadow of the tower. They decide to trace the shadow to rebuild the tower. They use the tracing as a guide, matching the shapes of the blocks to the shadow. They rebuild the tower, and Triangle is delighted.
What is a shadow? [1:20:35]
Elmo and Turtle are playing with their shadows, but the shadows disappear. Ameera explains that shadows are made when something blocks the light. They realize the clouds are blocking the sun, causing their shadows to disappear. They decide to make their own shadows using a light and objects. Elephant blocks the light, making the shadow disappear, and they understand how shadows work.
What are pulleys [1:25:36]
Elmo and Ameera are pretending to live far away and send pictures to each other using messenger chicken, but the chicken has trouble delivering the messages. Ameera decides to build something to get the message to Elmo and decides to use a pulley. Cookie Monster's clothesline is the perfect pulley. They use the clothesline to send messages back and forth.
What are ramps? [1:30:37]
Elmo and Turtle are hosting "Super Fast Games," but the ball isn't going fast enough to ring the bell. Ameera suggests using a ramp, explaining that it helps move things from high to low. They raise the track to make a ramp, but it's still not fast enough. They raise the ramp even higher, and the ball finally rings the bell.
What are bridges? [1:35:37]
Elmo and Turtle are having a marathon in Cardboard City, but the road stops at a stream. They need a bridge to get to the finish line. Ameera explains that bridges connect one side to the other. They try using a piece of cardboard and a cardboard tube, but they're too short. They combine cardboard scraps to create a bridge that's long enough for the racers to cross, resulting in a tie.
What are pulleys? [1:40:38]
Elmo and Turtle are pretending to be monkeys in a jungle fort, but they can't get the bananas up to the tree. Cookie Monster suggests using a pulley. Ameera explains that a pulley helps move things in a different direction. They use a rope and a cardboard tube to create a pulley system, successfully lifting the bananas to the fort.
What are bridges? [1:45:40]
Elmo and Ameera are setting up a mango juice stand, but Turtle is stuck in the mud. They need a way to help Turtle cross the muddy path. Elephant tries to help, but it's too ticklish. Ameera suggests building a bridge. They use a rock and a tree stump as supports, but the stick is too thin, and the board is too short. They use a board on top of Cookie Monster's cart as a bridge, and Turtle successfully crosses to stir the mango juice.
What are ramps? [1:50:41]
Elmo and Ameera are throwing a dance party for Chicken's family, but Ameera can't get her wheelchair up the stairs. They need a ramp. Ameera explains that ramps help people and things move up and down. They try using cardboard and wood, but they're not strong enough. They test the ramp with Chicken's suitcases. The ramp is too steep, so they use a longer door to create a perfect ramp for Ameera to get to the stage.
What are levers? [1:55:42]
Elmo, Ameera, and Cookie Monster are making hats for a hat parade, but Cookie Monster's hat gets stuck in a tree. They try using a ladder, jumping, and having Chicken fly up, but nothing works. Ameera suggests using a lever, explaining that it helps lift heavy things. They use a crate and a log to create a lever, and with everyone's help, they lift Cookie Monster high enough to reach his hat.
What are bridges? [2:00:43]
Elmo, Ameera, Elephant, and Mezuzah are playing a game where they can't step on the sand dragon. They need a way to cross over the sand. Ameera suggests building a bridge. Cookie Monster provides crates and cardboard, but it's not strong enough. They use a piece of plywood, but it barely holds Mezuzah. They use an old door to create a strong bridge that can hold Elephant, but they realize they could have just gone around the sand.
What are shadows? [2:05:45]
Ameera hosts a shadow game with Elmo and Cookie Monster. The chickens have to guess who's making the shadow. The light goes out, and they can't play anymore. Ameera explains that shadows appear when something blocks the light. Cookie Monster searches for a light source and finds shadows from the sun. They use the sun to project shadows onto a sheet and continue the game.