Yesterday, June 27, 2013 TED-Ed (TED is technology, entertainment, and design [conferences]) launched a new video series,  Superhero Science: If superpowers were real. Here’s more from the announcement,

TED-Ed, TED’s education arm whose mission is to amplify the voice of great teachers, is rolling out today a six video series called “If superpowers were real…” ..:

For instance, did you know that if you were invisible then you also technically could not see because no light would reflect off your retina? Or if you had super strength and actually ran and caught the damsel in distress, that you’d do more damage to her body than the ground would? Or bugs would destroy your face if you could fly?

Each short is brilliantly animated and performed, and explores the scientific fallacies of six superpowers — speed, strength, invisibility, body mass, immortality and flight — with voice over work done by none other than James Arnold Taylor, the voice of Fred Flintstone and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Leonardo, among countless others. And each lesson was written by [*]Joy Lyn—a high school science from Austin, TX.

Given my interest in invisibility (June 17, 2013 posting; June 6, 2013 posting; Jan. 7, 2013 posting,  and many more stretching back years), here’s the video,

These videos are meant for students K-12. I thought the material was presented in an engaging fashion and will likely stimulate curiosity, which according to their disclaimer (Invisibility Dig deeper webpage)  is the intent,

Disclaimer: Due to time constraints, not all aspects of each superpower can be discussed and the science is sometimes simplified or generalized. We recognize this series is only the tip of the iceberg, not the final say in the continuous discussion of superpowers and scientific advancements. All we aim to achieve is inspiring young minds to ponder, discuss, and discover science through a glimpse into the world of superheroes.

As an adult, I found the voiceover to be exaggerated in a way  I think is suitable for young children and not pleasurable much past the age of 12 (at least, in my case).

I previously mentioned superpowers in the context of a Sept. 14, 2012 posting about Trinity College Dublin’s Science Gallery and the Unleash Your Superpowers exhibit (scroll down the posting about 25% of the way) in their Magical Materials show which was highlighted during Ireland’s 2012 Nanoweek.

* Joy Lin contacted me via a July 10, 2013 email to note the correct spelling of her name.