Podcasts by Brains On! Science podcast for kids

Staying home: How social distancing helps fight coronavirus from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Lots of schools are closed and people are staying home. In this episode we’ll explain how all of this could help slow the spread of the new coronavirus. We’ll explain some terms you’re ...

Narwhals: Unicorns of the sea? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Narwhals are whales, and super cool ones at that. But that cool thing coming out of their heads is a tusk, not a horn. Which means it’s a tooth! And it’s the only known spiral tooth to ...

Understanding coronavirus and how germs spread from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

It’s impossible to miss the news about coronavirus, but you probably still have lots of questions. What exactly is it? How does it spread? Can I protect myself? In this episode we’ll br...

Weather Watching: The birth of forecasts from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Humans have been predicting weather for a long time - way before modern technology. So how did they do it? We’ll meet the man who invented the word “forecast” and brought weather report...

The secret world of dust from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Dust looks gray and boring to us, but it’s full of secrets! Like did you know that up close, dust is colorful? And there are creatures living in your dust? And some dust comes from oute...

For crying out loud: All about tears from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

It’s something so natural that we take it for granted — but when you think about it, it’s a little strange. Why does water come out of our eyes? And why does it happen when we’re happy?...

Canine club: From wolves to dogs! from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

How did wolves go from wild, untamed animals to the friendly furballs we know as dogs? In this episode we’ll learn about how our canine companions evolved. Plus, we’ll get a howling les...

Mirrors, sequins and glitter: what makes them shine? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Have you ever entered the mirror-verse and heard yourself talking back? Well, that’s what happens in today’s episode.

We take a look (pun intended) at how mirrors work and talk ...

Aliens and UFOs: Making Sense of Myths, pt. 4 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In the final episode of our series about myths and legends, we’re launching our imaginations into outer space!

Monster expert Emily Zarka tells us about her favorite alien and w...

Mermaids, Kraken and the Loch Ness Monster: Making Sense of Myths, pt. 3 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

What’s lurking in the depths of the ocean? Or your local loch? We’re diving deep into the world of water-dwelling mythical creatures in part three of our series on myths. We’ll talk wit...

Lost Cities: Making Sense of Myths, pt. 2 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Was Atlantis a real city? If not, why have so many people gone looking for it? In part two of our series on modern myths and legends, we’re searching for lost cities.

We’ll trac...

Bigfoot, Unicorns and Dragons: Making Sense of Myths, pt. 1 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Where do stories of unicorns, mermaids and Bigfoot come from? And do they have any truth to them? In this four-part series, we're tackling listeners' biggest questions about mo...

How do pianos work? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Behind every piano’s polished exterior are thousands of parts. From keys to strings, they work together to produce a sound.

In this episode, we take a field trip to a piano shop...

Flavor facts: Why food is so delicious from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

You might think flavor is what happens on your tongue – and it is. But it’s also so much more.

Flavor is influenced by all the senses. How food looks, smells and feels can make ...

What was the first life on earth? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

What was the first lifeform like? What was the first fish or mammal? Is it even possible to know? In this episode, we look to the fossil record to help us trace our roots back to the La...

Ask-A-Scientist: Bird Bonanza! from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In this special episode, we've asked two rock star ornithologists to answer a flock of listener questions about birds. Drew Lanham and Corina Newsome talk flying, feathers, eggs, po...

Books: How they're made and how your brain reads them from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

There is so much happening in your brain when you read. From recognizing shapes as letters to discovering empathy, our brains really get a workout when we read books.

In this epi...

Why do we like getting scared? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Spooky stuff may make you cover your eyes in fright, but many of us find ourselves peeking through our fingers to get another glimpse. Why are we drawn to things that make us jump? In t...

Wonderful Wool: The secrets of this amazing fluff from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Wool is warm, absorbs water and odors, plus it’s flame resistant. In short, wool is amazing!

In this episode we explore how wool is different from hair. We go on a sheep safari ...

How does the internet get to us? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In this episode, we find out how a system of cables around the globe (and deep in our oceans) brings websites, songs, videos and podcasts to our phones and computers, almost at the spee...

Why do we lie? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Most of us think we’re good at detecting lies, but it turns out humans only get it right about half the time. And why do we do it anyway? What makes us want to deceive other people? In ...

The secrets of the spectacular spacesuit from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Never explore the final frontier without your trusty, white, puffy space suit! But why is it puffy and white? And why do astronauts need them? Turns out space is super dangerous and the...

What is dyslexia? And how do our brains read? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Have you heard the word dyslexia before? It's a term used to describe when people have a hard time learning to read. It's actually very common because reading is a fairly new sk...

How do elevators work? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Elevators are like magic. You walk in, the door shuts and when it opens again, you are suddenly someplace new! Ta da! But it’s not magic that does this trick, it’s science and engineeri...

Hey, where did you get those genes?!? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Today we’re talking genes - the recipe for you! We’ll go microscopic and check out how traits like hair color are passed down through your family. We’ll also hear the story of genetics ...

Plastic: Why it's everywhere from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Human-made plastics are super useful -- they're lightweight, can be molded into anything, and they don’t break down. And because plastic is so versatile, we humans have found lots o...

Ants: Who's in charge here? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

We have a lot to learn from ants. This episode digs into the hierarchy of ant colonies (spoiler alert: there is none) and why they walk in a straight line (spoiler alert: they don’t). ...

Tree, Myself and I: All about our leafy green friends from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Trees are the strong, silent type but that doesn’t mean they can’t communicate. In this episode we’ll explore how trees send each other messages above ground and below. Plus we’ll learn...

Do insects see the world in slow motion? Looking through animal eyes from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Do insects see the world in slow motion? Do animals see the same rainbow we do? How do eagles see so far away? Our listeners have a lot of questions about the way animals see the world,...

Going underground at Wind Cave National Park from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

What wonders are hiding underground? Producer Marc Sanchez finds out what it’s like to explore one of the biggest networks of caves in the world — and scientists are still discovering u...

Angry: All about feelings, pt. 3 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

This is the third of our four-part series on feelings. Today we're learning why we all get angry and what to do with that emotion. We'll get in touch with our inner Super You Pe...

Sad: All about feelings, pt. 2 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

This is the second episode in our four-part series on feelings! In this episode, we're covering the small and big parts of sadness.

Because this episode touches on some heavy...

Happy: All about feelings, pt. 1 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Where do feelings come from? And why do we have them? In this four-part series, we're digging deep into our emotions.

In this first episode, we're getting happy! We'...

Thinkin stinkin: Why we smell from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

You may have noticed some strong smells coming from your feet, your friend's breath, or your brother's armpit. Where do these body odors come from? We'll meet the microscopi...

Forever echo: Can a sound wave go on forever? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Today we shout out our love for the ECHO! (echo echo) Discover how these curious callbacks happen and why we hear them in some places but not others. We'll also play you the longest...

The hows and whys of hair from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The hair on our heads is on our minds. We have fun with follicles and learn about how they make hair. Our experts help us decipher what makes hair black or brown, blonde or red, and eve...

Why are smartphones so hard to put down? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Screens are everywhere these days! We’re taking a look at why smartphones are so addictive, and how our devices affect us. Our co-hosts took on a bold challenge for this episode: they w...

Mystery Sound Extravaganza 2019 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

This episode is an ear-tickler! Guess your way through eleven mystery sounds — one from a scientist, and ten from listeners like you! Plus, another mystery: what’s making Marc and Sande...

Carnivores: Plants and animals that bite back from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Most plants get the energy and nutrients they need from water, sunlight, air and soil. But carnivorous plants get key nutrients from a different source: bugs. We’ll find out how they do...

Flush! Where does our poo and pee go? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Every time you flush, your poo and pee start an epic journey. From the toilet, to the sewers, to a treatment plant, our waste travels quite a distance only to end up cleaner by the end....

Black Holes, Wormholes and Donut Holes from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Black holes happen when you have a super huge, mega-giant amount of stuff --- crammed into a super-tiny, infinitely-small amount of space. AND THEY ARE SUPER COOL! In this episode, we l...

Walking on walls: How ants and spiders do it from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Ants and spiders are able to defy gravity -- but how do they do it? We'll learn about how awesome their feet are and how one predator takes advantage of these powers. Plus: A very c...

My air came from where?! How oxygen gets around from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Oxygen is quite the savvy traveler. We explore how this gas travels all around the world and ends up pretty much everywhere for us to breathe. Plus we'll look at how plants and othe...

How do airplanes fly? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

How do planes stay in the air? And how did humans figure out that it wasn’t enough to just strap wings to our arms and flap them like birds?

We’ll find out about the invention of...

Memory and deja vu from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In this episode, we take a trip down memory lane. We visit a campus full of hippos to learn how memories are stored, and drop in on a badger trainer to see how she recalls “the great ba...

Are we still evolving? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In this episode, we climb up, down and all around our evolutionary family tree. When did we branch off from our more ape-like ancestors? And will we evolve one day into a different spec...

Brains On: Behind the scenes from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

This is a special fundraising episode, where we peek behind the curtain of Brains On!

Earthrise: The picture of our planet that changed the world from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

50 years ago NASA astronauts took a picture that changed the world. It was a full color photo of planet Earth as seen from space. This image inspired many to think differently about our...

Soil: Can you dig it? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

We’re ready to get our hands dirty as we explore the stuff beneath our feet. Clay, sand, mud — soil is everywhere. And it’s alive! We’ll find out how it helps plants grow and learn abou...

Dreams: The science of a sleeping brain from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

You dream every night, even if you don't remember them. But why? We'll hop on a wild ride to go inside the brain and see which parts help create these often fantastical images a...

Voices: How do we make sound? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

We are very vocal about this episode, and that’s because it’s all about voices. We look into how our bodies produce sound and talk to a voice recognition expert. And we find out what’s ...

Roller coasters: from dream to extreme from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

How do roller coaster designers go from dream to reality? World-renowned roller coaster designer Alan Schilke tells us how he does it. Also — why do some people feel sick or dizzy after...

Finding your way without a map from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

If your GPS suddenly stopped working, would you still be able to find your way?

In this episode we'll teach you tricks and tips to navigate on your own. We'll explain how...

Video Games: A Tale of Two Pongs from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Introducing our brand new history show, Forever Ago! Join host Joy Dolo and kid co-host Kai on an epic quest through history to figure out how video games began. With help from intrepid...

Do dogs know they're dogs? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

We treat dogs like they're part of the family. But do they know they are a different species, or do they think they're just short, four-legged people?

In this episode, ca...

Body Bonanza: Yawns, hiccups, goosebumps and more! from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Brains On listeners have LOTS of questions about the human body so we’ve decided to answer nine – count em NINE – of these questions in one go. The terrific topics tackled: Hiccups, yaw...

How to find the facts (Prove It: Part 4) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Today information is everywhere, but what should you trust? Can you spot the difference between well researched articles and stories full of opinion, errors or even lies? In our final c...

The scoop on journalism (Prove It: Part 3) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Fair and fact-based news helps people make good decisions. That's why journalists work hard to get their facts straight. In the third installment of our series "Prove It: How t...

Science under the microscope (Prove It: Part 2) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Science is a powerful fact-finding tool -- but how does it work? In this second installment in our series "Prove It: How to find the facts," we look to the past for answers. W...

Brains On! + The Story Pirates: What makes fun things fun? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

We're teaming up with our pals The Story Pirates to learn about the science of having fun! Our experts tell us what makes something fun and why we're so geared toward seeking a ...

Keeping water healthy, one clue at a time from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Last week, we heard about the tale of the Cuyahoga River -- a river in Ohio that caught on fire multiple times because it was so polluted. The river is now doing much better, but beyond...

Burning rivers of fire from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Rivers are known for being wet. So how did a river in Ohio suddenly catch fire, not once, but several times last century? In part three of our water series, we'll explore the shocki...

How does GPS know where you are? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Without GPS, we’d be lost. Literally. Thanks to these radio transmissions from space though, we’re able to pinpoint our location and find our way home. Join us as we learn all about sat...

Salty snack science: Popcorn, nachos and the origins of salt from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

We're having a snack attack in this episode and we're using it as an excuse to delve into the facts and history of some of our favorite snacks. How does popcorn pop? Who invente...

Wanna see Mars' close approach? Just look up! from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The Red Planet is putting on a show this July. It'll be closer to Earth than it’s been in 15 years and that means at night it'll appear bigger and brighter than average. In fact...

Smash Boom Best: Books vs Movies from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Today, we’re sharing another epic showdown from our brand new debate show, Smash Boom Best. Each episode, we pit our favorite things against each other, like bats versus owls! Or pizza ...

How to cook for an alien from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The aliens are coming to dinner! In this episode we wonder what food aliens might eat and talk to real scientists who've thought long and hard about this question. Plus, our friends...

Mix: The science cooking, pt. 4 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Are you ready to mix it up? In this episode, we find out why oil and vinegar are like bickering siblings in the back seat of a car, what delicious food inspired the invention of the ble...

Chop: The science of cooking, pt. 3 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Our knives are drawn and ready to mince and dice our way through the science of chopping. In this episode we'll find out what happens to that carrot you're chopping on a molecul...

Chill: The science of cooking, pt. 2 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

From ice cubes to ice cream, cold things are a crucial part of cuisine. How do we use chill to our advantage? This is part two of our series on the science of cooking, a collaboration w...

Heat: The science of cooking pt. 1 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

We’ve teamed up with America’s Test Kitchen Kids to delve into the scrumptious science of cooking. You’ve sent in so many great cooking questions that we had to spread the answers over ...

Boogers and sun sneezes: Know your nose from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In this encore mash-up episode, we revisit some fascinating facts that will help you get to know your nose. Why does the sun make some people sneeze? And where do boogers come from anyw...

The wonderful weirdness of water from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

One of the weirdest substances in the universe is right under your nose. No, not boogers. Water! Water seems ordinary, almost boring, but take a closer look and you’ll find a wonderfull...

Smash Boom Best: Bats vs. Owls (new show alert!) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

For the past few months, we’ve been working on a top secret project and we’re so excited we finally get to share it with you! It’s a new show called Smash Boom Best and it’s nothing but...

Robots take over (the show)! Live from Robotstravaganza from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

What was the first robot? What is artificial intelligence? How do robots "learn?" In this special episode, we have pieces from our live Robotstravaganza show in Boston. We mee...

What's in your water? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

What’s in your water, and how did it get there? Clean water is a must, but modern living can put a lot of bad stuff in it. Road salt, fertilizer, dog doo-doo, heavy metals - how do thes...

What makes paint stick? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Paint goes on wet, then it dries — and it’s stuck there. But how does it stick? We’re going to zoom way in to find out. We’ll visit a forensic chemist, a painter who makes his own paint...

Allergy Attack: How our bodies can overreact from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Pollen, peanuts, dust mites. These things aren't poisonous - so why do some people's bodies act like they are? In this episode, we'll find out what happens during an allergi...

Mystery Sound Extravaganza 2018 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Sounds abound all around. Do you think your ears are up to the task? We have an episode chock full of nothing but mystery sounds to challenge and stretch your listening powers.

A...

How do animals breathe underwater? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Our lungs are great at getting oxygen out of the air, but if we needed to do that underwater, we'd be sunk. So how do fish, shrimp, jellyfish and other marine animals breathe underw...

'The Rice Cakes and the Oni': A story from Circle Round from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Sometimes we're in the mood for a good story, so we're turning our show over to Circle Round this week. It's a podcast produced by WBUR in Boston that tells folktales from a...

Circadian rhythm pt. 2: Beyond human from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Circadian rhythms keep our bodies on schedule. But what about the rest of the animal and plant world? Turns out, most living things run on similar cycles. In this episode we take a look...

From 8-bit to orchestras: How does video game music affect you? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

If you’ve ever played a video game, you know how important music can be when it comes to gaming. But what if you choose to play without music? How does that affect your playing? We’re g...

The tick-tock of our circadian clock from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The near 24-hour-cycle that keeps us on track is conducted by the suprachiasmatic nucleus. It’s a tiny part of our brains, but it’s super, super important.

‘Is it opposite day?’ and other mind-bending paradoxes from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Think about it: the answer to the question “Is it opposite day?” will always be no. So how do you figure out if it is, in fact, opposite day?

Our 100th episode! What's the big deal? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In this milestone of an episode, we ask why people seem to love the number 100 so much. We also learn some amazing tricks involving the number 100 and fan favorite Gungador goes from Mo...

Meet Sandy, the left-handed mutant snail from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

For humans, being left-handed or right-handed can definitely affect the way we experience life. Usually, that mismatch is just a minor nuisance — but sometimes, sidedness can change the...

Dolphins vs. Octopuses: Showdown in the sea! from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Two of our planet’s most amazing animals go head to head in our latest debate.

We’re asking you to decide which animal reigns supreme. Is it the eight-armed, three hearted, shape...

Dogs: What's the secret of their sense of smell? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

If you’ve ever seen a dog, you know they like to sniff — the ground, people, each other’s butts. They like to smell just about everything. But why? We’re digging into the science of sme...

Mary Shelley and the science of Frankenstein from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

As we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the novel’s publication, we look at how Mary Shelley was inspired by science and how the lessons of the book still resonate with the scientific ...

Super-size-asaurus: How did dinosaurs get so big? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

  Ancient dinosaurs were some of the biggest creatures to ever stomp the Earth. But how and why did they get so giant? Was there more food to help them grow? Was the planet itself someh...

Mysteries of the universe: Expansion and gravity from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In this episode we ponder some big questions from Brains On listeners about the vastness of space.

The nerve! Electricity in our bodies from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Your body is making and using electricity all the time — but how do we do it? We’ll take a look at how bioelectricity helps our brain sends signals and our hearts pump blood. And we’ll ...

Charged up! The science of batteries from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Batteries are everywhere — they’re in our phones, our computers, our cars, our toys. But how do they work? To find out, we talk to a scientist who’s making really big batteries to store...

High voltage! How electric power reaches your outlet from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

We use electricity all the time, but where exactly does it come from? How does it get to our homes? It’s a fascinating journey that can start hundreds of miles from your outlet.

Shocking! The science of static (Electricity series pt. 1) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

What makes your hair stand on end? Why does your skirt stick your tights? Why do you get zapped by electric shocks when you go to touch a doorknob?

Where did language come from? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Where did language come from? Is it possible to know without traveling back in time? And how do babies learn to speak? Plus: We’ll hear how the word “silly” has evolved over the last se...

Curio: Flies on the bus from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

A few weeks ago, we got two emails that were so similar and so intriguing we had no choice but to investigate.

What's smaller than an electron? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The natural world can be broken down into atoms. And those atoms can be broken down even further. Will the discovery of smaller and smaller particles ever stop?

Healing skin and regrowing limbs: The science of regeneration from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

What superpowers does our skin have to repair itself? And what about other animals like salamanders that can do some pretty extreme healing? We’re going under the skin for this one.

What is Down syndrome? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

You may have heard of Down syndrome, but what is it exactly? In this episode, we'll break down the science of chromosomes and how having an extra one leads to this fairly common con...

Bonus: Kidcast sampler from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Looking for more awesome podcasts to listen to? We're bringing you a special bonus episode today to let you know about some of the other podcasts that you might want to check out. A...

Curio: Vampire of the Great Lakes from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The sea lamprey, with its concentric rows of sharp teeth, is part vampire and part alien invader. Would you let it suction to your arm? Reporter Dan Kraker did. Find out if he lived to ...

How do volcanoes erupt? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

There are all kinds of volcanoes all over the world, but how are they formed? And how do they erupt? To find out, we’ll travel to the center of the Earth, and we’ll meet a NASA robot th...

Curio: Quindar tones and talking in space from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

You know those beeps in old NASA recordings? They’re called Quindar tones. This episode explains them and talks to a couple musicians who incorporate archival, NASA recordings into thei...

Mars: Our next home planet? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In this episode we learn about Mars’ ancient past, meet an architect hoping to build cities there and we hear from Mars itself, thanks to the planet’s video blog, of course.

Thunder, lightning and tornadoes: Where do they come from? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

There are some basic ingredients to make thunderstorms and tornadoes. We’ll find out what they are – and how to observe these powerful and amazing storms safely.

Animal farts: A mighty wind from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Most animals fart. And some animals put those farts to work.

Sunburns: The why behind the ouch (and how to avoid them) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

To help us understand sunburns, we’re going deep into the skin to look at cells, molecules and electrons.

Everything you need to know before the solar eclipse from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

On Monday, August 21, a total solar eclipse will be visible on a path that crosses the U.S., from Oregon on the west coast to South Carolina on the east coast. In this episode, we cover...

Deep Sea vs. Outer Space from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

It’s time for the next Brains On debate! This intense matchup brings us to the depths of darkness, under the water and beyond our earth’s atmosphere. Who will prevail?

Fart Smarts: Understanding the gas we pass from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Is farting good for us? Where do farts come from? Why do only some make sounds? And what’s up with the smell? We tackle your questions about the gas we all pass in this episode.

Riding in the car: Motion sickness and optical illusions (Road trip pt. 5) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Hosts Molly and Gabriella are locked out. No worries: Sanden and Bob to the rescue. While the duo drives a spare set of keys to our beloved hosts, they pass the time discussing science ...

Traffic: Phantom jams and chicken soup (Road trip pt. 4) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

On the fourth leg of our road trip, we figure out where traffic comes from and what it would take to make it finally go away.

Monster trucks and car design (Road trip pt. 3) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

At the third stop on our road trip series, we coast in for a pit stop and check out car design. We find out how monster trucks are different than cars, how culture influences car design...

The future of fuel, and the problem with exhaust (Road trip pt. 2) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Our planet needs some carbon dioxide, but cars are pumping more into the atmosphere than our carbon cycle can handle. We’ll explore what all this carbon means for our planet. And we tal...

How do engines work? (Road trip pt. 1) from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

On the first leg of our road trip, we’re exploring the history of engines and how they work, with a little help from Car Talk’s Ray Magliozzi.

Mystery sound extravaganza! from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

  OMG, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for… an all-out, wall-to-wall, super-duper Mystery Sound show. Guess the sounds sent in from listeners and scientists alike. Plus, if you ...

The science of slime: What is it and why are we so obsessed from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Homemade slime is sticky, gooey and all the rage, but what is it? When you combine ingredients like glue and laundry detergent you get a strange, flubbery substance. We’ll explain what’...

Why is the ocean salty? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

If you’ve ever been the ocean, you’ve tasted that salt. But where does it come from? And why aren’t lakes and rivers salty too? A sea shanty is probably the best way to explain, right?<...

Do we all see the same colors? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

What if the color that you call blue and the color I call blue don’t look the same at all? When our brains see color, we’re really just seeing waves of light. Sure, we may be seeing the...

Cats: Glowing eyes, puffy tails and secret purrs from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Why do cat eyes look the way they do? Can cats really see in the dark? And what are they trying to tell us with that purr (you know the one)?

Dinosaur bones: How do we know their age? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Fossil dating is a lot like eating a delicious ice cream cake. Well, sort of. We find out how scientists look at the rock and elements AROUND a fossil to figure out its age. Plus: We ta...

Lighting the way for sea turtles at Gulf Islands National Seashore from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

We don’t know much about the long life of a sea turtle, since it’s mostly spent in the ocean. When they do come ashore to lay their eggs, we know the babies use the moon and stars to gu...

Surviving the desert at Joshua Tree National Park from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The desert is hot, dry and deadly. But plenty of plants and animals thrive there. How do they do it? We’ll learn the tricks trees, bats and roadrunners use to make it in Joshua Tree Nat...

Making the sands sing at Great Sand Dunes National Park from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

When an avalanche happens at the Great Sand Dunes in Colorado, it sounds like the sand is singing. Huh? How? Why? We learn about the special sand and the specific conditions that make t...

Tracking wild horses at Assategue Island National Seashore from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The wild horses at Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland are very popular, but they’re also an invasive species. We find out how park rangers are giving people a chance to see...

What makes cute things cute? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Think of the cutest puppy, kitten or baby you’ve ever seen. Now what sound did you just make? Was it an “Awwwww?” Or did you want to pinch, bite or squeeze it? In this episode, we’ll fi...

Fire vs. Lasers! from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Fire and lasers are both super cool — but which is COOLER? Producer Marc Sanchez has tricks up his sleeve for team fire and Sanden Totten gives his all for team laser.

How do whales communicate? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The sounds whales make underwater are super cool, and also very important for them to locate prey, navigate and communicate with each other. We find out how they make those sounds and w...

Could it rain lemonade? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

If you filled a lake with lemonade, would it rain lemonade? This delicious head-scratcher does not have a straightforward answer. It’s one-part water cycle, one-part delicious drink and...

How do invisible x-rays help us see? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

X-rays, part of the electromagnetic spectrum, help doctors see our bones — but they also help scientists understand the very smallest particles and the most massive black holes.

Carnivorous plants: How they lure, trap and digest from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Most plants get the energy and nutrients they need from water, sunlight, air and soil. But carnivorous plants get key nutrients from a different source: bugs. We’ll find out how they do...

What's behind the waves and tides? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

How does the moon control the tides? Where do waves come from? And what’s it like to live in a tide pool?

How is glass made? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The process that turns sand into glass is very cool – or rather, we should say very hot. Very, very, very hot as it turns out. Humans have been turning minerals from the earth’s crust i...

Mosquitoes: What are they good for? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

How and why do mosquitoes suck our blood? Why do their bites itch ALL the time? Why do some people get bitten more than others? And do these pesky and possibly dangerous insects serve a...

Big universe, big questions from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Have you ever wondered about what’s beyond the edge of the universe? Or maybe a better question: is there even an edge of the universe? And what does it mean that the universe is expand...

Why don't carnivores need to eat their vegetables? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

We’re back with new episodes! Carnivores are animals that only eat other animals – so how do they get the vitamins, minerals and fiber that we humans get from eating plants? We take a t...

How do you catch a cold? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

We’ve been catching colds for millennia – but it wasn’t until fairly recently that we actually understood how and why we get sneezy, coughy, and achy. In this episode, we find out more ...

Is there life on other planets? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Is there anybody out there? Like, WAAAAY out there? In this episode we hear from astronomer Laura Danly about the search for life on other planets. We’ll also learn what that search has...

Extinction! from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Did Dinosaurs have feathers? Can you bring back species that have gone extinct? Find out here.

Brains On! Besties from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Meet the Brains On! Besties… kid-friendly audio finds we think you’ll love.

Living Large with the International Space Station from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

The International Space Station sits 250 miles above Earth, but how did it get there? And what’s it like to live in space?

Spider sense from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Do spiders give you the heebie-jeebies? If so, we want to change your mind about our eight-legged buddies!

Why are no two snowflakes the same? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

In this episode, Dr. Ken Libbrecht answers all of our snowflake questions: How are snowflakes made? Why are they different shapes? How is it that they’re all unique? And how does a scie...

The science of baking from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Baking can seem kind of magical. You take a bunch of ingredients, mix them all together, put them in the oven, and then a little time passes — and you have cake! Or cookies! Or bread! B...

Barks, growls, meows and purrs: Translating cats and dogs from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

This episode brings you a slew of dog and cat mystery sounds to puzzle over. Can you tell the difference playful barks and warning barks? How about decoding the meaning behind a cat’s m...

How do meteorologists predict the weather? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

There’s all sorts of weather happening right now around the world. Rain, sun, wind, snow… you name it, somewhere it’s happening. It may seem hard to keep track of it all, but scientists...

The great cat debate: Evil or misunderstood? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

We're transporting you to the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul for a segment from a recent live show: Cats vs. Dogs. In this very important debate, producers Marc Sanchez and Sanden T...

Your booger questions, answered from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Nasal mucus is very important to our health – and actually kind of magical. There’s a lot going on in our noses all the time that we don’t appreciate. Where do boogers come from? Why do...

Why does tickling make you laugh? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Can you tickle yourself? Probably not. Almost everybody is ticklish, but what’s happening to us is a bit of a mystery.

Eating! from 2013-07-25T20:15:06

In this episode, we ask: Why do some foods taste better to adults than kids? And what happens to food once you’re done tasting it?

Eating! from 2013-07-25T20:15:06

In this episode, we ask: Why do some foods taste better to adults than kids? And what happens to food once you’re done tasting it?