Science has felled many an otherwise excellent student. All those equations and facts can leave your head reeling. Even keeping up with whether Pluto counts as a planet can be downright tiring!
On the bright side, I discovered a handful of YouTube channels that present science in an approachable, easy-to-grasp way. Plus, these videos grabbed my attention because they cover topics that touch my everyday life.
What I really wonder is: where was YouTube back when I was in high school? I could have used these resources back then.
Gross Science
Right away, I was drawn to Gross Science.
Don’t let the channel’s name mislead you. While some subjects are off-putting to certain viewers (like snot and menstruation), others are much milder (for example, what truly causes sunburns).
The series is hosted by Anna Rothschild. The format mixes her on-camera explanations with whimsical animations.
Listening to Rothschild feels like chatting with a good friend; she’s relatable and breaks concepts into small, digestible bits.
Unlike many YouTube presenters, she doesn’t race through her lines. It comes across as a genuine conversation, not a recitation.
Veritasium
Veritasium is the sort of channel that helped put YouTube on the map. Derek Muller, the presenter, carries his camera around, giving his videos an intimate, DIY feel. Sometimes he interviews passersby. Other times he invites you into his own home.
Muller runs experiments to challenge misconceptions or clarify phenomena. In one piece he investigates whether you’re truly lighter in the morning, while in another he showcases an anti-gravity wheel.
Veritasium’s episodes don’t lean on animation. Muller is always filming, so he captures plenty of engaging footage of himself and others.
Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell
Vivid animation and original soundtracks distinguish Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell from many other science channels. The creators use vibrant purples, reds, greens, and yellows in five- to ten-minute cartoons that tackle scientific topics, like whether GMOs are beneficial or harmful. While Kurzgesagt focuses on science, the channel occasionally explores other areas, such as the history of Iraq and who invented the internet.
Kurzgesagt releases only one video each month because the team believes “good things require time, care, and precision.”
Vsauce
If you want a science channel that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Vsauce fits the bill. Host Michael Stevens is playful, and he’s less interested in the Big Bang or entropy than in answering toddler-level curiosities, like why your backside is technically in the middle.
Vsauce episodes tend to be longer — 10 to 20 minutes — but they’re ideal for curious minds. He speaks at an easy pace and avoids needlessly complex vocabulary.
minutephysics
minutephysics does exactly what the name suggests: brief videos that clarify physics. Henry Reich, the creator, distills major physics ideas into one- to three-minute clips. One of his widely watched videos asks whether it’s smarter to walk or run in the rain (I won’t give away the conclusion!).
minutephysics cuts straight to the essence of a topic with no frills. Each idea is illustrated with time-lapse drawings, which are entertaining and effective.
SmarterEveryDay
SmarterEveryDay is a grab bag of videos on a broad range of subjects. Destin, the host, discusses scientific things he encounters in his life, like how his sister contracted malaria or why a balloon behaved oddly. Destin Sandlin is an engineer, so many videos explain how devices and systems operate. He also investigates questions you might ponder but not know how to solve, such as how astronauts manage their urine or whether you could escape a car through the windshield.
Destin is so friendly that his social feed is full of family snapshots and warm updates.
SciShow
If you crave more gross-out science, SciShow delivers. Hosts Hank Green, Michael Aranda, and Olivia Gordon admit they “hate not knowing things,” so they produce videos answering their curiosities. SciShow looks polished, with high production values and lively visuals. A fair amount of their content is a bit icky, like why urine can sometimes appear green.
Typically, SciShow tackles basic questions in under five minutes, such as why humidity makes the air feel hotter. The hosts clearly enjoy themselves — don’t miss their amusing outtakes and bloopers collection.
AsapScience
AsapScience is ideal when you need a quick science answer. Hosts Mitchell Moffit and Gregory Brown create videos usually around three minutes long that go straight to the point. AsapScience focuses on science that affects your brain and body. They address everyday queries like how much sleep you actually need, and tackle topics people are hesitant to discuss, like whether masturbation has benefits. The duo answers questions with colorful animations and upbeat music — they even recorded a Science Love Song.
Seeker
Seeker is another science channel featuring engaging, youthful hosts. Trace Dominguez, Julian Huguet, Amy Shira Teitel, and Crystal Dilworth all seem genuinely excited about science, and that enthusiasm holds my attention. Seeker’s videos don’t follow a single format. Sometimes they show the hosts on camera, sometimes animations, and other times still images or illustrations are used to make a point. Seeker’s clips are usually short, and they sometimes cover cutting-edge topics, like human head transplants.
Reactions
Reactions, produced by the American Chemical Society, explores the chemistry of everyday life. You might expect a group like the ACS to be stiff, but Reactions covers everything from why avocados are so popular to the chemistry behind the Avengers and why cats go crazy for catnip. The videos mix witty narration with images and short clips. Most episodes are a few minutes long, making them easy to watch.
Now you know where to turn the next time you’re marveling at the universe or just wondering why farts smell so potent.
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