Nicholas Leadbeater, associate professor of chemistry, draws a parallel between molecules and Lego blocks, and discusses how chemists use them to build new and useful compounds. To hear him, click here.

Leadbeater has perfected the 100-second answer to questions that your science classes skipped over. In clear, understandable language, he matter-of-factly explains the science behind common phenomena.

His talks were first aired on WAMC, the PBS station in Albany, N.Y., as Academic Minutes, and hosted in print by Inside Higher Education. They will run weekly on UConn Today through the end of the fall semester.

Thanks to WAMC for the station’s permission to post these spots.