Have you ever wondered what would happen if you kicked a football ball in space? Or how your phone’s GPS knows exactly where you are? These curious questions —and many more— are answered in a new educational video series born from the collaboration between Hypatia Mars and Abacus .
Titled “STEM: Physics with Hypatia,” the series is hosted on the 3Cat’s SX3 SuperCampus platform and features 17 videos designed to teach physics concepts through the lens of a mission to Mars. The project is specifically targeted at high school students (ages 14 – 16) and educators, blending entertainment with rigorous scientific content in a way that makes learning not only effective but also fun.
The series is presented by members of Hypatia Mars, an all-women scientific team dedicated to science communication and space exploration. Hypatia’s members —scientists, engineers, communicators, and educators— simulate missions to Mars at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah, and use these experiences to inspire young minds and foster STEM vocations, particularly among girls.
Each episode opens with a question, followed by a concise theoretical explanation using clear language and engaging graphics that provide students with the tools to solve the problem, and closes by answering the initial query. Some of the topics that are covered include the Big Bang and the formation of the solar system, Kepler’s laws of planetary motion, and Newton’s laws of motion, but also address the reasons for targeting Mars as a destination and the challenges involved. Viewers will also learn about more fundamental concepts like gravity and pressure, the uniform and accelerated rectilinear motion, and the scientific method. Each video, of about 4-6 min, is designed to be concise, visually appealing, and pedagogically sound, helping make complex physics topics accessible to secondary students and sparking curiosity about science. universe.
The collaboration also draws on the production expertise of Abacus, known for its innovative and accessible STEAM learning materials. Together with Hypatia Mars, we’ve created a resource that not only reinforces classroom learning but also promotes independent discovery and critical thinking. This series is about more than physics —it’s about showing students, especially girls, that there’s a place for them in science.
You can watch all episodes now at: https://www.3cat.cat/tv3/sx3/stem/videos