Whether you’re looking for something new to watch on lunch break, seeking to refresh your algorithm, or are just a lifelong learner on a discovery kick, science YouTube has what you’re looking for. But it can be hard to find trustworthy sources, and misinformation is rampant if you’re not careful. So here’s a starter kit of YouTube channels we think are great.
From the ins and outs of massive particle accelerators, to theories about the rarity of our solar system, to why wind turbines have three blades, these channels will entertain and educate with accuracy.
Dr Clara Nellist - @particleclara
Dr. Clara Nellist is a particle physicist who offers clear explanations of complex concepts. Whether she’s talking top quarks or dark matter, her videos are understandable and exciting for students and science enthusiasts alike. It’s her work at CERN, AKA the largest particle physics laboratory in the world, that sets her apart, granting her behind-the-scenes access to cutting edge technology and discoveries not often found elsewhere.
A video recommendation: A tour of the competition at #CERN
In this video: Dr. Nellist takes a trip deep underground to look at a Large Hadron Collider, showcasing the massive scales of the machine, how the huge technology is used to look at the tiniest particles, and explains how it helps us understand what exactly the universe is made of.
Dr. Becky Smethurst - @drbecky
You’ll be hard pressed to find anyone online more enthusiastic about the daunting nature of black holes as Dr. Becky. The University of Oxford astrophysicist balances entertainment with clear, concise communication on complicated astronomy subjects, encouraging her audience to always ask questions they’re looking for the answers to. She’s perhaps best known for her monthly roundup of astronomy news to keep you up to date.
A video recommendation: FIVE Moon mysteries Artemis can't help us solve
In this video: Dr. Becky explain why it’s great to be going back to the moon, but suggests that if we really want to understand the Moon, we need more than just astronauts on the ground.
PBS Space Time - YouTube
From a deep, rich history of science programming comes PBS Space Time: a YouTube channel dedicated to all things beyond planet Earth. Here you’ll find a particularly wide variety of deep, thought-provoking content, from the origins of the cosmos, to the possibilities of sci-fi, and everything in between.
A video recommendation: Do We Live in the Rarest Solar System In The Universe? We're about to find out!
Many people have pondered whether humans are alone in the universe. Here, host Matt O'Dowd gets at the root of that fascinating question by looking at how rare our solar system, and whether other solar systems can create the same conditions for life.
minutephysics - YouTube
They might not all be exactly one minute like the name suggests, but the sentiment has always remained the same. Perimeter Institute alumni and science communicator extraordinaire Henry Reich takes topics ranging from relativity to quantum mechanics, breaks them down with a concise explanation, and provides hand-drawn animations to visualize the topic.
A video recommendation: Why Do Wind Turbines Have Three Blades?
The next time you see wind turbines spinning around on a country drive, there’s a good chance you won’t look at them the same way.
Fraser Cain - YouTube
For those wanting to keep up with the latest news, science journalist and Universe Today publisher Fraser Cain is the way to go. His channel features regular breaking space news updates, in-depth interviews, and insightful Q and A sessions that help broad audiences comprehend complex topics.
A video recommendation: NASA Made A Bold Decision About Artemis 3. It's Not What We Expected
Friday’s “Space Bites”, where Fraser wraps up the top space news of the week, are a highlight of the channel. The June 12th update about the latest Artemis 3 announcements, evidence of an early planet, and more, is a great example of Fraser’s signature style.
Veritasium - YouTube
You may never guess what subject will pop up next on Veritasium; whether it’s physics, engineering, mathematics, or something mixing them altogether. What you can expect from Derek Muller’s extremely popular channel are rich stories featuring interviews, experiments, and challenges of critical thinking, told in detailed videos ranging from 20 minutes to an hour long.
A video recommendation: Making A Giant Zipper To Explain How They Work
Veritasium’s breakdown of how zippers actually work features history, physics, interviews, and tips on how to fix them. It’ll be hard not to think twice next time you’re doing up a jacket.
Angela Collier - YouTube
Astrophysicist Angela Collier’s videos aren’t flashy. She speaks directly to camera with a dry sense of humour, has plenty of quick cuts, posts videos ranging from 20 minutes to two hours, and speaks on a wide range of subjects. What makes her stand out is her scientific background, rigorous research, and especially her intellectual honesty, taking a no-nonsense approach and calling out junk science without hesitation.
A video recommendation: 'physicists don't know how planes work'
Why did renowned scientist Lord Kelvin make the claim that commercial flight was impossible just 600 days before the Wright Brothers took flight? Angela walks us through the story in humourous style – ultimately defending Kelvin, though with a lesson for us in the modern day about expecting experts in narrow fields to know everything about everything.
Cool Worlds - YouTube
If you’re ever looking for an otherworldly planet fix, Cool Worlds Lab is the place to travel to. Run by the astronomers at Columbia University, this channel is dedicated to space, astronomy, exoplanets, extraterrestrial life, and astroengineering.
A video recommendation: Our First Contact with Aliens Will Be Their Last Words
There are no shortages of “temper your expectations” videos on this channel, but this one poses a grim yet fascinating theory that if we do come into contact with extraterrestrial civilizations, we won’t be hearing from them soon after.
SciShow - YouTube
The immensely popular channel founded by Hank Green back in 2012 has only grown in size since, thanks in part to its fast-paced, heavily researched, and punchy videos covering a number of different of topics, and featured spinoff channels like SciShow Space, Kids, Psych, and their Tangents podcast. If it piques curiosity and defies expectations, it could be a topic of a SciShow video.
A video recommendation: Salvaging the Cold War's Sunken Nuclear Subs
What do you do with a nuclear submarine wreck? Do you leave it in the ocean, or do you risk radioactive leakage to salvage what’s left? This video is a perfect example of how SciShow asks pertinent questions we may not think to ask.
Physics Girl
Physics Girl’s videos really pop. Host Diana Cowren creates punchy, entertaining, and educating content geared towards all ages, while also making sure to create a deeper appreciation for the physical world around us. Diana’s channel was put on hold for several years due to long covid, but she came back to YouTube in 2026 with her first science video in three years. We’re excited to see her in action again.
A video recommendation: Crazy pool vortex
One of Physics Girl’s most iconic experiments is surprisingly simple, visually stunning, and does a perfect job of demonstrating fluid dynamics.
Numberphile - YouTube
This channel will have even the most math-allergic viewers convinced that there’s beauty in the numbers. Numberphile explores famous equations, puzzles, and problems with the help of expert explanations, revealing the creativity, wonder, and storytelling that goes into what might seem like intimidating mathematics.
A video recommendation: The Unsolved Lollipop Problem - Numberphile
All it takes is a renowned mathematician, a piece of paper, some markers, a few animations, and a curious interviewer to help explain an unsolvable problem and challenge the very limits of spatial reasoning.
Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics - YouTube
If you’re looking for some of the world-leading minds in theoretical physics, converging together to discuss space, time, matter, and beyond, then you should head over to our YouTube channel!
Our lecture series brings these brilliant thinkers under one roof to speak on topics like the future of AI in physics, the end of the universe, and simulating the cosmos.
About PI
Perimeter Institute is the world’s largest research hub devoted to theoretical physics. The independent Institute was founded in 1999 to foster breakthroughs in the fundamental understanding of our universe, from the smallest particles to the entire cosmos. Research at Perimeter is motivated by the understanding that fundamental science advances human knowledge and catalyzes innovation, and that today’s theoretical physics is tomorrow’s technology. Located in the Region of Waterloo, the not-for-profit Institute is a unique public-private endeavour, including the Governments of Ontario and Canada, that enables cutting-edge research, trains the next generation of scientific pioneers, and shares the power of physics through award-winning educational outreach and public engagement.
