Summer is not over yet, so today I prepared a list of science YouTube channels to check out during the lazy summer afternoons. Scientists and teachers love to share their research, experiments and insights with anyone who is willing to listen, so there are many fantastic science channels to watch. These people work hard to make science accessible for everyone, so when we’re all done watching bad science movies (listed here and here), let’s go and explore some cool science channels and learn something new!
1. ASAPScience
Mitchell Moffit and Gregory Brown are the creators of ASAPScience, they both have degrees in biology, and started their channel in 2012. They have a unique and entertaining way of explaining science in short videos (under 10 minutes), and the illustrations they use for their videos look extremely cool. They also like to make science songs, and they often talk about the importance of diversity in science.
2. Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell
Kurzgesagt is a German word that means …. (drumroll….) “in a nutshell” (surprise!). This channel started in 2012, and the team includes illustrators and scientists, and their videos focus on explaining topics in STEM, psychology and philosophy in a very accessible way. Their videos are usually around 10-15 minutes long, and I find their animations and illustrations absolutely amazing and beautiful.
Some of their videos are also available in German and Spanish!
3. CrashCourse
This is the place to go if you want to pass your exams (I know it helped me). CrashCourse was started 11 years ago by two brothers, John and Hank Green. Now the team has grown and they make short (~10-15 minute) educational videos about every subject from business to literature to biology and astronomy. There are now more than 40 playlists on a variety of topics, explained in an easy-to-understand way by experts.
4. Be Smart
Started in 2013 by Joe Hanson (who, according to his LinkedIn, has a PhD in cell and molecular biology), Be Smart answers simple questions in 5-8 minute videos, in a funny and witty way. The topics this channel explores include the deep, meaningful questions we all have: Why does February only have 28 days? What is nothing? When is now? What is fire? And… the ultimate question of life: Is Santa Real? (Watch the video to find out!)
5. Simon Clark
One of my favourite YouTube channels of all time. I found Simon’s channel when I was doing my bachelors, back in 2016, while he was doing his PhD in atmospheric physics. He was making vlogs called “Life as PhD student”, and I was thinking: “wooow, someday I might want to do a PhD, I should watch this, it must be soooo awesome to live the PhD life”. Now that I’m the one doing a PhD, I can confirm that the PhD life is indeed (not always) awesome.
Simon started his channel in 2010 during his undergraduate studies, and now he works in science communication. His videos focus on “stuff that he finds interesting” (his words, not mine). He has a lot of videos about climate change, and a series called “PhD stories”, where he chats with PhD students from different fields about research, PhD stuff, and life. But he also likes to explore other fun and important topics, such as this one:
+1 Iris van Zelst
Did you think I’d forget to mention the Youtube channel of our former editor-in-chief? No way! Iris has her own YouTube channel, where you can find vlogs about postdoc life, a fantastic series called Science Sisters, discussing topics such as science communication (check out the episode with Simon!), leadership and fieldwork. Iris also shows us her artistic side, by singing us some science. Don’t forget to subscribe to her channel!
