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.

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.

In a dramatization of a child's visit to a toy store, Mr. Poole and the storekeeper explain how certain toys work. For example, wind-up cars exhibit potential energy while other cars rely on friction or inertia. The angular momentum of the gyroscope toy is the same principle used in ships and airplanes. The dunking bird toy functions because of the methyl chloride within. Electric trains and steam engines are explained in relation to Sir Isaac Newton's Third Law of Motion. Musical toys, kaleidoscopes, Slinkies, and toy helicopters all have a scientific basis.

The transistor is a object used in electrical circuits that acts as a valve to control the flow of energy and power of electricity. Developed at Bell Laboratories, the transistor has low power requirements and can be powered by batteries. Transistors amplify sound and are used in microphones, telephones, hearing aids, and radios. Mr. Leland Watson of Maico Hearing Instruments discusses how the hearing aid was the first commercial application of the transistor and how it has led to the miniaturization of the hearing aid.

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.

In 1891 Hilaire Chardonnet developed rayon, the first man made fiber from natural cellulose. In 1938 the first truly synthetic fiber, nylon was developed by creating fiber like macromolecules. Adipic acid and hexanethaline diamine combined with water to create nylon salt. The water is evaporated until the long molecules hook up into long fibers to create nylon yarn. Fabrics are tested for crease resistance, stiffness, resilience, and wear. Sometimes they are combined with natural fibers to form stronger blends.

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.