The Howard Hughes Medical Institute is a philanthropy that supports biomedical research and science education. As part of its mission to strengthen science education, the Institute presents the Holiday Lectures on Science—an annual series that brings the latest developments in a rapidly moving field of research to an audience of high school students.
During each lecture, the scientists answer questions from the students watching the talks. The videotapes also contain autobiographies of the lecturers, who discuss why they chose careers in science and what they enjoy most about their work.