Soaps are made from fats and alkali, which forms glycerine. Detergents when mixed with water can attack dirt and separate the dirt from soiled fabrics. Hard water, which has higher concentrations of calcium and magnesium, requires stronger detergents than regular soap for proper cleaning. It is necessary to match the detergent with the hardness of water.

A narrated film that shows how running water has changed the surface of the earth more than any other natural element and offers as examples the Grand Canyon (and how it was formed) and Niagara Falls (and why it is moving upstream). The film continues with glaciers as another land-molding force, explaining where they were and how they work to change the landscape. A prime example is the Yosemite Valley formation including its Bridal Veil Falls, Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls, and other natural formations. The geysers, steam vents, and hot water basins at Yellowstone National Park are also featured, including a model showing how geysers function. Water also causes erosion resulting in natural bridges such as Natural Bridge in Virginia and the Kachina, Owachoma, and Sipapu Bridges, known collectively by the Paiute Indians as "ma-vah-talk-tump," or "under the horse's belly," in the Four Corners area of the U.S. The program continues with a filmed sequences of caves, explaining how the Mammouth Cave in Kentucky and Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico were formed.

Admiral Bolster discusses the U.S. Navy's research and development programs for weapons, equipment, techniques for use, and personnel training. Dr. Hulbert describes the Naval Research Lab, established in 1923 to meet the scientific and technical needs of the navy. Its departments include chemistry, mechanics, optics, radio, metallurgy, sound nucleonics, radiation, electricity, and systems coordination. One of its specific programs is the radio telescope, shown on a film. Dr. Chapanis discusses how industrial design improves the accuracy and functionality of machines for humans. Using a mock-up of a radar indicator, he redesigns it to reduce user fatigue, allow the operator to sit or stand, facilitate readings, simplify controls, and clarify codings. Dr. Mead explains the tests featured in a film showing naval systems coordination, the integration of men and equipment and how well both perform under stress. In conclusion, Mr. Poole defines a system analyst.

Dogs can be taught to modify their behavior to fit well into their owner's lives. Dogs can be conditioned not to jump on people by body twisting, and be taught not to bark by holding their mouths shut momentarily. House breaking can begin when puppies are about three months old. The sense of place for elimination should be emphasized over negative reinforcement. Methods are shown on how to call, praise, and discipline dogs, and keep them from chewing on objects.

Mr. Dillehunt describes the versatility of wood's thickness, color, pliability, and hardness. He demonstrates the difference in hardness by driving nails into a piece of balsa wood and a piece of lignum vitae. He shows the cross-section of growth rings in a tree and the magnification of wood cells, indicating the fiber walls of wood which carry water and which shrink and often crack from lack of moisture. A model of the slash cut and the quarter cut shows the differences in lumbering wood. Mr. Dillehunt exhibits samples of ebony, curly maple and birdseye maple, used ornamentally. He also displays a bowl made from a burl, a disease of the tree. Mr. Poole recommends "Wood handbook", a guide for woodworkers produced by the U.S. Government Printing Office.

Lynn Poole shows William Harvey's 1628 book "Anatomical studies on the motion of the heart and blood", which proved that blood circulates in the body. Mr. Poole then introduces an animated film by Prof. Winifred Cullis, distributed by United World Films, which gives an explanation of the complete heart cycle and blood circulation. It also includes a demonstration of a sphygmograph to record pulse rates before and after exercise. After the film, Dr. Van Slyke discusses the common causes of heart disease and illustrates each using slides.

Dr. Dethier explains his research for the perfect insect repellent. He discusses and gives examples of the five qualities of a perfect repellent: odorless, inexpensive, non-toxic, cosmetically acceptable, and effective for extended periods of time. Using a diagram of a blowfly's anatomy, Dr. Dethier explains how the flies are used in repellent research. Then using a series of actual flies, their wings waxed to sticks, Dr. Dethier puts the feet of the fly successively into sugar water, .01% glycol and sugar, and .1% glycol and sugar to observe the fly's reaction. The result is generally the average of a 100-fly test. Dr. Dethier then shows how one can predict the feasibility of some chemical compounds as repellents by their composition. He constructs a graph and using aldehydes, plots the repellent effect in relation to the size of the compound's molecules.

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Johns Hopkins University, this program highlights the scientific research and accomplishments of several Johns Hopkins scientists including: William Welch, whose work in pathology and bacteriology led to advances in the understanding of hog cholera, diphtheria, pneumonia, and gangrene; William Halstead, a surgeon who used cocaine as an anaesthetic and was the first to use rubber gloves in surgery; William Osler, who developed a new method of correlating medical research with clinical studies. Also highlighted are work in gynecology by Howard Kelly, embryology by Franklin Mill, hormones by John Jacob Abel, spectroscopy by Henry A. Rowland, brain surgery by Walter Dandy, fluoroscopy by Russell Morgan, and high altitude photography by Clyde Holiday. The president of Johns Hopkins University, Detlev W. Bronk, delivered an address on the importance of scientific research, explaining how curiosity for and exploration of the unknown, drives the scientist to discover new facts about our world through observation and experimentation.

Howard Owens, of Northwestern High School in Prince Georges County, MD, briefly discusses the purpose of the National Science Fair. Talented students then display and explain their Science Fair projects. Don Boyle experiments with the effects of radio waves on seed germination. Mary Catherine White reconstructs a functioning battery using Volta's methods. Gary Miggs creates a diorama based on the fossils characteristic of the Devonian Period. Jean Spencer determines the amount of black widow spider venom required to kill a white mouse. Fred Shindler researches the life cycle of the corn borer in an unsuccessful attempt to break that cycle and thus eradicate the pest.

The brain perceives not only what is seen by the eyes, but also processes experience and expectations to sometimes perceive not exactly what was seen. Magic tricks depend on the perception of the eye. Optical illusions and moving picture frames show that the eye can be tricked. The ability to detect movement is relative, but eyes can determine distance by working together.