Health Lessons
BrainPOP Lessons organized by Topic.
Acne
Whether you call them zits, spots, or pimples, acne’s part of puberty! Tim and Moby show you why it happens and how to handle it.
Addiction
Learn the truth about addiction—from tolerance to abuse to withdrawal—and how it affects the mind, body, and behavior.
ADHD
Tim and Moby talk about dealing with hyperactivity disorders and how they differ from just being distracted, impulsive, or just plain bored.
Adolescence
Oh those awkward teenage years, when hormones and growth spurts make us self-conscious and also—nearly!—adults.
Adulthood
Growing up means both fun and responsibility; careers, marriage and even wrinkles are part of a pretty good package!
Aging
Through puberty to adulthood and beyond, aging is a natural part of life. So what happens to your body as you grow older?
AIDS
Tim and Moby explain how HIV attacks the immune system and causes AIDS in this BrainPOP movie.
Alcohol
You probably know alcohol is a drug, and even that it’s a depressant—but learn why intoxication is particularly bad for young people.
Allergies
Hives, sneezing, runny nose? Tim and Moby are itching to teach you about allergies!
Alzheimer's Disease
Dementia can be more than being forgetful; it’s a progressive illness.
Amelia Earhart
Take off with Amelia Earhart, the most famous aviatrix of all time, whose last flight remains a mystery.
Anne Frank
Learn about Anne Frank's life in hiding during the Holocaust, and why her diary continues to touch readers around the world.
Antibiotic Resistance
Don't be scared of antibiotic-resistant "superbugs"--be informed!
Anxiety
Distinguish between anxious feelings that are healthy and anxiety disorders, and teach strategies for calming down.
Appendix
Would you let Moby operate on a vestigal part of your intestine? Neither would Tim!
Asthma
Asthma can be caused by pollution, allergies, dust, or heredity. Tim and Moby help you learn how to breathe easy!
Autism
Autism. You know the word and might even be familiar with the term ASD. But, it's time to learn all the facts about this increasingly common condition.
Avian Flu
Sounds like a scary movie, with mutating viruses! Tim and Moby tell how Avian Flu can be controlled with culling, vaccines, and embargos.
Babies
From fertilization through pregnancy to birth, it takes a lot to make a person! And Moby’s got a toasty little bundle of joy. . .
Back to School
Help students transition to a new school year with strategies to prepare for day one, study tips, and advice about friends and practicing self-care.
Back to School 2020
This fall, you might be returning to school in person, continuing remote learning, or doing a combination of both. Whatever your back-to-school scenario, these tips can set you up for success!
Back to School 2021
For most kids, school has been anything but normal for the past year and a half—which means back-to-school will probably feel different, too. Happily, Moby and friends have tips to set you up for a successful school year.
Balance
There's no spin on this tale of why you may sometimes feel dizzy or nauseous—and what your ears have to do with it all!
Baseball
Tim and Moby take you out to the old ball game: Learn about the game where everyone’s running around that big diamond, trying to get home!
Basketball
There’s so much more to basketball than putting a ball through a hoop! Tim and Moby talk three-pointers and rebounds.
Behavior
It can be learned, instinctive, reflexive or conditioned, but when is it good or bad? Tim and Moby talk behavior.
Blood Glucose Meter
A simple device to help diabetic people know what’s up (or down) with their insulin and glucose levels.
Blood Pressure
Wondered about those numbers when the doctor takes your blood pressure? Here’s what diastolic and systolic mean, and why no one wants hypertension.
Blood Types
Positive or negative, A, B, or O. What’s yours? And what's a universal donor?
Body Chemistry
Tim and Moby talk about your body’s main sources of fuel, proteins and carbohydrates, and how lipids can help or hurt us.
Body Weight
Body weight isn’t just a matter of being obese or not! Tim and Moby give you the skinny on nutrition, fitness, and the three body types.
Boogers
Ah, Boogers! Your nose's front line defense gives you immunity against germs and infection. Pick this one—it’s a winner!
Book Report
Plot, character, theme: Learn the ins and outs of writing a great book report.
Brain
Tim and Moby get brainy, because from the hypothalamus to the limbic system, your cerebral system runs the show--and it’s reading this right now!
Broken Bones
Fractures, splints, and x-rays are no fun. But it's pretty cool that something as solid as bone can knit itself back together!
Bruises
Call it a contusion or just a plain old bruise, when capillaries burst you get black-and-blue (or red-and-purple). Tim and Moby explain why.
Bullying
Bullying takes many forms: name-calling, fighting, or leaving someone out. Tim and Moby walk you through the reasons kids bully and how to handle it.
Burns
Learn about our delicate skin and blisters, scalding, and fires. And hang on to that potholder!
Cancer
Cancer can be scary, but treatments are getting more effective all the time. Learn more about this disease that affects millions of lives.
Carbohydrates
Carbs get a bad rap! Just avoid sugary foods and eat high fiber carbohydrates from fruit and whole grains. Tim and Moby tell you why.
Cell Specialization
Cell Specialization sounds pretty complicated. But once you learn the difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic, you’ll practically be a specialist yourself!
Cells
Did you know your body has building blocks? They’re your cells! Learn about organelles and membranes, plus how big cells can get—over one meter long?!
Cerebral Palsy
Tim and Moby talk about Cerebral Palsy, a muscular disease caused by lesions in the brain.
César Chávez
Don’t cross that picket line! Learn about the life and work of the Mexican-American labor leader César Chávez, and the influence of his non-violent protests, strikes, and boycotts.
Chickenpox
A chickenpox on both your houses! Learn about the classic childhood itchy disease, and why you’re a lot less likely to get it than your parents were.
Circulatory System
Your heart’s an engine that’s driving blood out to all of your veins and arteries right now. But what gets blood back to the heart?
Civil Rights
Thank you, sister Rosa! Ms. Parks, that is! This movie is all about the civil rights movement, from segregation trials to freedom marches. Plus a few words from Dr. Martin Luther King!
Concussions
Concussions are caused by head-rattling hits that twist up the brain's delicate neurons. Learn how rest and relaxation can help you recover.
Conditioning
Salivating for a movie about conditioning? Tim and Moby will tell you about the process of behavioral conditioning, reflex and stimuli, and Pavlov’s experiments. Now, fetch!
CPR
The ABCs of CPR are Air, Breathing and Circulation—but how does that work, exactly?
Cystic Fibrosis
Take a deep breath and learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of cystic fibrosis.
Death
No point in being scared because (as any mummy will tell you), it’s part of life! And who knows what the afterlife holds?
Depression
Depression is more than just feeling blue. Learn all about this common mood disorder and how it can be treated.
Diabetes
Too much blood sugar isn’t good! Learn about diet, weight, insulin, and diabetes.
Digestive System
Tummy rumbling? Find out how digestion happens, and what nutrients, saliva, and enzymes do for you!
Dreams
Like movies of your subconscious, mixed in with a little wish-fulfillment and some weird neural noise!
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Tim and Moby discuss the symptoms, effects, and treatments of this progressive muscular condition.
Dyslexia
Millions have lived with the reading disorder dyslexia, including some of the greatest artists and thinkers in the world!
Eating Disorders
The causes and treatment of this devastating psychological condition which leads to starvation, binging, and purging.
Elie Wiesel
Elie Wiesel endured one of history's darkest periods. Learn how he devoted his life to ensuring the world would never forget.
Endocrine System
Hello, Hormones! Learn about the body system that governs growth, energy, and all sorts of cellular activity.
Ethics
Learn about what ethics and ethical dilemmas are, and how to make good decisions in tough situations.
Eyes
Just look at how pupils, lenses, and irises enable us to see the beauty in the world--including that piece of chocolate cake!
Faces
Eyes, noses, mouths, skin--we’ve all got ‘em! But have you ever thought about how much our faces say about who we are?
Fannie Lou Hamer
Meet Fannie Lou Hamer, the civil rights activist who spoke up—and sang out—for Black voting rights in the South.
Fats
Do you know which fats are healthy, and which aren’t? Put down those chips, grab some (unbuttered) popcorn and watch this movie!
First Aid
We’re not applying pressure, but why not learn what a first aid kit contains and how to deal with cuts, scrapes, and more serious injuries?
Fitness
Breaking a sweat can make you look good, control your weight, and improve your health.
Flu
Coughing, sneezing, body aches, fever… Ugh, it’s the flu, and it’s caused by the influenza virus.
Food Safety
Refrigeration, pasteurization and expiration dates: Don't be chicken, learn how to keep your food safe!
Football
Fumbling by the goalpost? Kick-off by learning the basics of American football!
Friendship
Help students understand ways to strengthen their friendships and navigate friend drama and conflict.
Game Theory
Tim and Moby negotiate their way through a movie on Game Theory, a field of economics that formulates mathematical strategies for complex situations.
Genetic Mutations
Some are good, some are bad--but genetic mutations are powerful changes deep within a body’s chromosomal blueprint.
George Washington Carver
Learn how George Washington Carver became a renowned scientist during the Jim Crow era
Getting Help
Sometimes all you need to do is ask. Tim and Moby tutor you in how to know--and where to go--when you need help.
Growth
Hormones plus maturation equals growth! Learn all about how you grew from a tiny baby to the hugely fabulous person you are today.
Hair
You’ve heard of blonde, brunette, and redhead. But what's vellum? And follicles? Get the 411 on those lustrous locks of yours!
Headaches
From tension headaches to migraines, discover where headache pain actually originates. (It may not be from where you thought!)
Hearing
What? Did you know sound travels, and that the eardrum is a lot like a regular drum? Listen up and learn all about our sense of sound.
Heart
Be still, my fluttering heart! Or rather--don’t. A movie on how this major muscle is always beating, helping blood to circulate through your whole body.
Helen Keller
Learn about the the admirable activist who overcame deafness and blindness to teach the world that people with disabilities can do anything!
Heredity
Investigate the rules of heredity by learning about Gregor Mendel’s revolutionary experiments on pea plants.
Hiccups
BOO! Everybody’s got a cure, but what’s the cause? Spasms in your diaphragm! Tim and Moby explain.
Homeostasis
Whenever you sweat, shiver, or get a fever, that’s homeostasis at work! Learn about how we warm-blooded animals stay cool.
Hormones
Wondering why you don’t look quite the way you used to? Might be those hormones kicking in for puberty, changing everything from height to hair to body shape!
Human Body
Step right up! Learn how the amazing human body grows, moves, senses the world, circulates blood, stands strong, and knows when to scream for ice cream.
Immune System
Before your next “Achoo!” Learn about white blood cells, antibodies and how vaccines work. Your body's lookin' out for you!
Infancy
Drooling, teething, and oof--those diapers! Discover the mini-milestones infants go through every day.
Jackie Robinson
Discover #42, the great athlete and pioneer who took on the difficult job of ending segregation in baseball. Why was Jackie Robinson’s number retired by every baseball team?
Jane Goodall
Meet Jane Goodall, the famous primatologist and anthropologist who studies chimps in the wild, and is an advocate of ecological preservation.
Joints
The Hip Bone’s connected to the Leg Bone. . .but how? Find out how your bones move thanks to joints, and the difference between movable and immovable joints.
Judy Blume
Meet the writer behind "Superfudge" and "Blubber," and learn about her fight against censorship.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Arthritis doesn’t only affect grandparents; JIA is an autoimmune form of the disease that affects people up to 16 years old.
Library Organization
Every library book has a call number, which tells you where it belongs on the shelves. Knowing how libraries are organized can help you find what you’re looking for, and discover new books that might interest you—of course, you can always ask a librarian for help!
Lyme Disease
From the dangers of deer ticks to info about the “Bull’s Eye” rash--learn about Lyme Disease and how to enjoy summer without it.
Lymphatic System
Learn the mysterious workings of the lymphatic system, a special network of vessels, nodes, and organs that transports nutrients throughout your body. It’s a wild ride!
Mahatma Gandhi
He showed the world the power of non-violent protest, and highlighted the connection between colonization and racism.
Malala
One child can change the world! Meet the inspirational activist and youngest Nobel Laureate.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
“I have a dream ...” Who began one of America’s greatest speeches with those words? Learn about life of the civil rights activist and nonviolent protestor, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Menstrual Cycle
Hey, girls. Getting your periods doesn't have to be scary. Cassie and Rita explain this natural part of growing up.
Metabolism
Catabolic, Anabolic, and Chloroblasts! No, not the names of Moby’s cousins, but a movie about the metabolism, the chemical reactions that allow all cells to function.
Mindfulness
Feeling overwhelmed? Take a deep breath and learn how mindfulness can help quiet a chattering brain.
Mourning
How do we grieve for the dead? Different ways in different cultures, but ceremony, commemorations and memorials help to alleviate and share our grief.
Multiple Sclerosis
Learn about this unpredictable autoimmune disorder, its symptoms, and what people are doing to help find a cure!
Muscles
Flex those abs, pecs, and triceps--but watch out for cramps! All about our muscles, how they work and what powers them.
Nails
Scratch the surface of this movie and learn about your finger and toe nails! Why you shouldn’t bite ‘em, what they allow you to do, and how much they grow in a year.
Natural Disasters
We can’t control ‘em, but we can be informed and prepared. Tim and Moby talk hurricane, earthquakes, tornadoes and other natural disasters.
Nervous System
It helps you tickle, itch, and recoil! Don’t get nervous about this movie--learn how the nervous system coordinates all your actions.
Neurons
These brain transmitters are like organic wires, carrying thoughts and senses around your body!
Nutrition
Feeding your body empty calories is like trying to fuel a car with mud! Learn the hows and whys of a balanced diet, from proteins to carbs to vegetables.
Obesity
Explore the roles that diet, physical activity, and genetics play in the obesity crisis, and learn the choices you can make to stay healthy. (Mmm, grapes!)
Olympics
What happens every two years, involves bronze, silver, and gold medals, and is loads of fun? Why, the Olympics, of course! Learn about this international pursuit of excellence.
Organic Food
No hormones, radiation or genetic modification--but is organic food actually healthier? Tim and Moby chew the subject over.
Parenthood
Babies are cute, but they’re a huge responsibility, too. Learn about one of the most challenging (and rewarding) jobs in the world: parenthood!
Peak Flow Meter
Don’t gasp! Instead, learn all about peak flow meters, inhalers that calm your lungs and help control asthma.
Personal Hygiene
Keeping your body fresh and clean gives you confidence and helps you stay healthy. Discover the keys to personal hygiene, then go hit the showers!
Pregnancy and Fetal Development
Learn about all the steps of a pregnancy, from fertilization to parenthood. And it all begins with two cells.
Primary and Secondary Sources
Help students understand the differences between primary and secondary sources, and how to evaluate and use both types in class assignments.
Puberty
Taller, hairier, and oh so hormonal! Learn all about the wild time known as puberty.
Reading Skills
Develop reading skills to improve comprehension, such as prepare, preview, skim, jot notes and make a movie in your head.
Reproductive System
A movie about how reproduction, and the seminal tale of when sperm meets egg and fertilization ensues. Hey, it happened to you!
Research
Research doesn’t have to be overwhelming! Learn how to focus your fact-finding on important questions to take your research project to the next level.
Respiratory System
How does oxygen get from the air outside our bodies into our bloodstream? Through the good ol’ respiratory system! Tim and Moby talk trachea and lungs.
RNA
Say hello to DNA’s little friend - RNA! Learn about the similarities the two share and how they work together to communicate with cells and create complex molecules like proteins.
Sally Ride
Follow Sally Ride's path to becoming the first American female astronaut, and her groundbreaking trip on the Challenger Shuttle. But how'd she get to know Moby?
Salt
Whether you call it sodium chloride or Sel de Mer, it gives life--and a tomato!-- its savor. Tim and Moby talk about this mineral and the interesting role it plays in health and in human history.
SARS
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome was a pandemic of the last decade--so what the heck is a coronavirus, and how do we avoid it?
Scoliosis
Everybody’s spine curves a little bit, but some kids’ backbones curve too much. Learn about scoliosis, its detection and treatment.
Setting Goals
Whether you're hoping to achieve something little or life-changing, setting a goal can make it happen. Learn how to take your vision from a dream to an accomplishment.
Sex Determination
Did you know your sex is determined at the moment of fertilization? Learn how!
Sexual Reproduction
It’s not just the birds and the bees! Most species on Earth reproduce sexually. Sexual reproduction fuels evolution and is responsible for the incredible diversity of life on Earth.
Skeleton
From skull to toe, the bones in your skeleton are specialized to support and protect your body.
Skin
Your epidermis is showing! Also your pores, flesh, maybe some zits. . .get the skinny on skin from Tim and Moby.
Sleep
Ah, to sleep--perchance to dream, sleepwalk, snore, maybe drool a little! Tim and Moby walk you through nighttime Zzzzzzzz’s.
Smallpox
A pox upon this virus! It caused ongoing epidemics--So who came up with the vaccination, and how did that change the world?
Smell
Get a whiff of this movie about the important olfactory gland, one of our most powerful and evocative senses!
Smoking
Learn how smoking damages your body, why it's so hard to quit, and why it's best never to start in the first place!
Soccer
Tim and Moby pitch a movie about the most popular sport in the world--Soccer! (Known as football to folks outside of the U.S.) Get the info on everything from FIFA to the World Cup.
Spinal Cord
Tim and Moby ride the highway between your your brain and your peripheral nervous system--the spinal cord!
Stem Cells
Tim and Moby talk about Stem cells, unspecialized cells which continue to divide and give rise to specialized cells, which can be used to cure different diseases! But is it right?
Steroids
There's been lots in the news about steroid abuse, from high school athletes to professional sports. Find out what these drugs do and why they're so dangerous.
Stress
Learn how your mind and body respond to nervousness and anxiety, and what you can do to relax those jitters.
Substance Abuse
Have you ever wondered how drug abuse leads to addiction? Get the low-down on why drug use is such a bad idea.
Sun Protection
Don't get burned--learn about melanin, UV rays, and sunblock. (Or you could fake tan, but you might end up as orange as Moby!)
Swine Flu
Get the facts about the swine flu virus: What it is, how an outbreak spreads, and what you can do to protect yourself.
Taste
Life would be bitter--not sweet--without our sense of taste. Tim and Moby talk about our tastebuds and tell you what on earth umami is!
Teeth
Take a bite out of this movie on teeth and dental care--then floss and brush, baby--floss and brush!
Test Preparation
There’s a big difference between cramming and preparing: Learn how to take a test!
The House on Mango Street
Ever felt caught between childhood and adulthood? Then you'll relate to The House on Mango Street, a novel about family, friends, and growing up Chicana.
Touch
All the sensations you experience, from a tickle to a sting! Tim and Moby help you feel your way around the sense of touch.
Twins
Whether identical or fraternal, having a twin would be a pretty cool thing. But how do twins happen--and which one gets the top bunk?
Underground Railroad
It wasn't a real railroad, but it did transport thousands of African Americans from slavery to freedom. Learn about the long and treacherous treks they endured aboard the Underground Railroad.
Urinary System
We all pee, but why? Tim and Moby explain the urinary system and how your kidneys and bladder work.
Vaccines
Yeah, shots aren’t fun, but neither are the measles, smallpox, polio or the flu. Learn about what vaccines are and why we’re so lucky to have these injections in our lives.
Viruses
Learn what makes the tiny trespassers called viruses tick, and how our immune system keeps us safe.
Vision Problems
Whether you’re nearsighted or farsighted, at some point we all need an opthamologist. Learn about the windows to your soul, how eyes work, and how to take care of them!
Voice
High-pitched soprano or low-pitched bass, singing is fun. Talking's not so bad either, and Moby just loves to Beep! Learn why we sound the way we do.
Wangari Maathai
Learn how a remarkable Kenyan woman fought for equality, democracy, and the environment… one tree at a time!
West Nile Virus
West Nile virus is a disease spread by mosquito bites. But don’t get scared--get educated! Watch this movie and remember to use your mosquito repellent.
World Cup
Three cheers for our soccer-loving peers! Experience the passion and drama of the world's biggest sporting event!
Zika Virus
Zika has been around for decades, but it started making waves once it hit South America's shores. Find out why this virus has been hogging news headlines.
