In anticipation of the forthcoming total eclipse of the sun on June 30, 1954, Lynn Poole explains a schematic model of the planets' orbits around the sun and primitive peoples' reactions to a solar eclipse. He also briefly describes the layers of the earth's atmosphere: troposphere, stratosphere, ionosphere, and exosphere. Film clips from the National Geographic Society document its expedition to Brazil, in conjunction with the Army Air Force, to witness the May 20, 1947 total solar eclipse. Led by Dr. Lyman J. Briggs, the expedition included other notable scientists from institutions around the world, such as Rev. Francis Hayden, Director of the Georgetown University Observatory. Photography of the eclipse, taken by National Geographic's Richard H. Stewart, shows ambient lighting changes and the sun's corona at the height of the eclipse. A drawing and a model show how the moon obscures the light of the sun, and an animated graph shows the radiant heat curve before, during, and after an eclipse.

In this program, the history, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of tuberculosis, or the "white plague," are discussed. Teamwork between the radiologist, x-ray technicians, and other doctors is stressed. Dr. David M. Gould shows examples of both healthy and diseased lungs on an x-ray and explains that TB can be treated by collapsing the diseased lung, removing some ribs, or prescribing streptomycin. A recovered TB patient is introduced, and viewers are encouraged to request pamphlets provided by the National Tuberculosis Association.

A film produced by the U. S. Air Force's Air Research and Development Command in conjunction with the Atomic Energy Commission depicts the testing ground in Nevada where 20 bombs (14 aerial) were exploded in the last two years. Major General John S. Mills commands the Air Force at the site. During atmospheric nuclear tests, aircraft track the atomic cloud, survey blasted acres with radiation counters, and gather samples from within the atomic cloud. Tests are conducted on the effects of the atomic blast on aircraft and on flash blindness in man. The film follows the preparation and launching of an A-bomb, emphasizing the precision of the bomb drop. A second film by the Civil Aeronautics Commission shows research being conducted on the effects on man of bailouts from jet aircraft and of explosive decompression. Wind tunnel tests reveal the stresses on a subject under differing angles and velocities, in varying positions, and clothed and unclothed.

This program originates from station WDTV in Pittsburgh, PA., and begins with a visual history of glass beginning with obsidian, natural glass. Lynn Poole shows the ingredients of glass: silica, soda, and lime. Dr. Davies, of the Mellon Institute, discusses the states of matter, focusing on solids. He then explains the random structure of glass and why lenses are made from this substance. Using a petrographic microscope, Dr. Davies shows three samples of glass fibers under both ordinary and polarized light. He notes that because the density of glass varies with temperature and within the same piece of glass, it breaks under pressure. He hammers squares of regular and tempered glass to show the difference in their shattering. Dr. Davies also demonstrates the chemical resistivity of glass and explains that because glass is a versatile solvent, it can be used to make such products as goggles for glassblowers. Also silver salt can be dissolved in glass to develop an inexpensive and wearable radiation meter.

Lynn Poole announces that on July 1, 1954, Mars will be closer to the earth than in the past 15 years. He then explains the words Mars, March, and Tuesday originated from Mars, the Roman god of war, and the days of the week were the seven wanderers (or planets in Greek) in the sky. He describes the location of Mars and compares its relative size and distance from other planets using a football field model and the length of an imaginary plane flight. Telescopic views of Mars are unclear and photographs are difficult to make; however, polar caps have been seen and their changing size suggests seasons on the planet. The Dutch astronomer Christian Huyghens sketched Mars with continents and oceans, but his view has been disproved. In 1877 Italian astronomer Schiaparelli noted lines, which he called "canali" or canals, on the surface of Mars. So far oxygen has been undetected on the planet, but a life form such as lichen, a fungus and algae combination, might be possible there.

Sleep is a complete cessation of movement and a depression in sensitivity to stimulation. It is initiated by internal bodily functions and not by external forces. A person who is asleep is able to be aroused. There are various levels of sleep, from deep sleep to drowsiness. Eletroencephalography can show the effects of patterns of sleep. Research in sleep and the lack of sleep are ongoing.

Leonardo da Vinci first developed the odometer for measuring distance, the jack for lifting heavy objects, and the pile driver. He did not have modern power sources or advanced mathematics, but used his remarkable intuition and observation to make many scientific discoveries including: gears, cutting tools, lathes, bridge trusses, clocks, sawmills and hydraulics. Excerpts from the film Leonardo da Vinci from Pictura Films Corporation are shown, highlighting the many artistic and scientific developments from his notebooks including models of flying machines, catapults, cannons, guns, and tanks.

Convulsive seizures or epileptic fits can be caused by problems in the heart, pancreas, kidney, or febrile conditions, but by far the most common causes are problems in the brain, although many have unknown causes. Some epileptics can be assisted through surgery, while others can be helped my medications such as phenobarbital, dilantin, or tridione. Epilepsy can be reproduced in monkeys to help study the disease and develop further methods of treatment.

The sixth grade summer school class at Johns Hopkins University presents an episode of the Johns Hopkins Science Review to illustrate what they have learned from Johns Hopkins scientific researchers during the summer. Highlighted are discussions on hydrology, airplane wing design, weather forecasting, electromagnets, and nursing. The students portrayed the roles of Mr. Poole and the researchers of Johns Hopkins University and the jobs of producer, director, stage manager, and camera operators on the simulated show "Kids look at science."

Air temperature, barometric pressure, and humidity in the upper atmosphere can be measured by instruments inside a radio sound box that is carried into the air by balloon. The measurements are carried back to earth by a radio transmitter in the box. Radar is used to track hurricanes and tornadoes through a network of weather stations throughout the United States. These data are used to provide early warning to residents that are in the paths of tornadoes and hurricanes.