• Air date: 10 Oct '88 30 episodes
      3-2-1 Contact is an American science educational television show that aired on PBS from 1980 to 1988, and an adjoining children's magazine. The show, a production of the Children's Television Workshop, teaches scientific principles and their applications. Dr. Edward G. Atkins, who was responsible for much of the scientific content of the show, felt that the TV program wouldn't replace a classroom but would open the viewers to ask questions about the scientific purpose of things.
  • List of Episodes (30)
    • 1. Antarctica: Getting There

      10 Oct '88
      Debra learns that getting to Antarctica from the United States is no easy task, but seeing Emperor penguins makes the trip worthwhile. This information provided by Chuck N. Thank you, Chuck.
    • 2. Antarctica: Getting Around

      11 Oct '88
      Travel at the bottom of the world is difficult and dangerous, as Debra discovers by climbing out of a crevasse, flying to the South Pole, and driving over ice. This information provideed by Chuck N. Thank you, Chuck.
    • 3. Antarctica: Life On The Edge

      12 Oct '88
      Most of Antarctica has such a harsh climate that almost nothing can live there, but Debra finds one place where penguins and seals do well: at the ice edge. This information provided by Chuck N. Thank you, Chuck.
    • 4. Antarctica: Life Under The Ice

      13 Oct '88
      In the icy waters surrounding Antarctica is a wealth of sea life, including jellyfish and a kind of fish that has antifreeze in its body. This information provided by Chuck N. Thank you, Chuck.
    • 5. Antarctica: The Desert Continent

      14 Oct '88
      Debra reviews (for the last time) her plane journey to Antarctica. She defines a desert (of which Antarctica is the largest). A glimpse of the weather base at McMurdo Station gives weather reports that affect everybody on the ice. Debra flies to Taylor Valley, a dry area with little ice, to meet a geologist.MUSIC VIDEO: Arctic vs. Antarctic.
    • 6. Your Body: Twins

      17 Oct '88
      Stephanie Yu is at a twins convention. Balancing this is a filmed sequence on twins from England. The Bloodhound Gang reruns ""The Case of the Educated Pig,"" the mystery that started 3-2-1 Contact back in 1980.
    • 7. Your Body: Having a Baby

      18 Oct '88
      This show follows an expectant mother at ultrasound and other key moments that lead up to the birth of a new child.
    • 8. Your Body: Sleep

      19 Oct '88
      David and Stephanie submit themselves to a sleep chamber to help in a scientific study of sleep. The Bloodhound Gang recycles (from Episode 6, ""The Case of The 264-Pound Burglar, Part One."" (Concludes in next episode.)
    • 9. Your Body: Spinning

      20 Oct '88
      Dancers can't afford to be dizzy, which we see prior to discussions of the inner ear. The Bloodhound Gang solves ""The Case of the 264-Pound Burglar.""
    • 10. Your Body: Your Health

      21 Oct '88
      Todd compares health care in New York City and Kenya where doctors and nurses may have to travel long distances to reach sick patients and prevent disease. This information supplied by Chuck N. Thank you, Chuck.
    • 11. Australia: Platypus & Echidna

      24 Oct '88
      In an element common to all five shows of Australia week, David gives an explanation on how Australian animals evolved separately from life on the other continents. It all deals with the splitting of continents from a giant mass of land. With that explanation out of the way, David and Michele, our Australian cast member, track and examine a platypus and an echidna, two unusual animals found only in Australia.
    • 12. Australia: Moths & Beetles

      25 Oct '88
      There are strange animals in Australia with even stranger eating habits. Get a glimpse of what David discovers about moths, beetles, and Australia's aboriginies.
    • 13. Australia: Emu & Kookaburra

      26 Oct '88
      Both the emu and kookaburra are indigenous to Australia. David gets to see them both after reviewing how Australian animals got to be so unique.
    • 14. Australia: Koalas

      27 Oct '88
      Koalas are one of the most recognized species unique to Australia. David Quinn koalas in their natural environment: the eucalyptus tree.
    • 15. Australia: Kangaroos

      28 Oct '88
      G'day, mate! David discovers the life of the kangaroo, and helps take a survey of them.
    • 16. Structures: Bubble, Bubble

      31 Oct '88
      Hopey and Todd see a bubble show and meet the man behind it to learn more on bubles. Included is a simple mixture for soap bubble solution.
    • 17. Structures: Pipes and Reeds

      01 Nov '88
      There is surprising strength in a tube because it is hollow. We see how tubes are used in bicycles, organs, and roofs.
    • 18. Structures: Chaos and Computers

      02 Nov '88
      Stephanie Yu discusses snow crystals and their patterns, or ""habits.""
    • 19. Structures: Running Robots

      03 Nov '88
      Just what are robots, and what are they meant to do? Miguel finds out the truth in a sequence recycled from 1983. The ""running"" element comes from observing animal locomotion.
    • 20. Structures: Suspended in Air

      04 Nov '88
      Todd introduces bungie jumping the way it began. It talks about the strength of ropes.
    • 21. Greece: The Journey Begins

      07 Nov '88
      Hopey begins her week in Greece by checking out an island formed by volcanoes.
    • 22. Greece: Under The Ash

      08 Nov '88
      What is the truth about cities buried in volcanic ash? Hopey finds out a few things about the ancient cities of Io, Ancient Thira, and Akrotiri.
    • 23. Greece: Before History

      09 Nov '88
      Hopey continues her observations with archaeologists in the ancient city of Akrotiri.
    • 24. Greece: Sheep & Cheese

      10 Nov '88
      Hopey sees the old and new ways sheep's milk becomes cheese. The Bloodhound Gang is trapped in ""The Case of the Thing in the Trunk"" from Season 1. (Concludes in next episode.)
    • 25. Greece: The Parthenon

      11 Nov '88
      Hopey finds engineers trying to keep The Parthenon standing, but it's not without catches. The Bloodhound Gang breaks through ""The Case of the Thing in the Trunk.""