Tumble Science Podcast for Kids

This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from Season 8! When did smartness begin? We’ll find out how a neuroscientist blends up brains, and cracks the case of the Tyrannosaurus Rex smarts! Suzana Herculano-Houzel helps us answer listener Penny’s question by explaining how “smartness” might not mean what you think - and how all animals have shown off their intelligence over time. Listen to our bonus interview with Suzana on our Patreon when you pledge just $1 a month or more! patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Learn more about Suzana and her work on the evolution of intelligence on the blog on our website, www.sciencepodcastforkids.com.

What does it feel like to be in space? That’s what Elijah wants to know. So we’re taking off on a zero-gravity flight to find out! Guest reporter Jason Strother shares the story of Sheri Wells-Jensen, a blind scientist who is paving the way for people with disabilities to go to space.  This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number # 2148711 - Engaging Blind, Visually Impaired, and Sighted Students in STEM with Storytelling through Podcasts.  Learn more about Sheri on the bonus interview episode on our Patreon, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.  Check out the blog on sciencepodcastforkids.com for more info!

Are cats evil? Are they hatching a plot to take over the world? Or are they just misunderstood? Scientist and cat expert Mikel Maria Delgado will tell us how the domestication of cats and dogs changed the way we think of our pets today, and she’ll explain how scientists of all ages can study cat preferences (or purr-fur-ences). Plus, she’ll share some tips on cat do’s and don’ts, so we can learn how to be better friends to our kitty companions. For more information about Mikel and more on cat science, visit our website at sciencepodcastforkids.com, where we'll have resources, videos, and more. For ad-free versions of the episode and a birthday shout-out, go support Tumble on Patreon at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.

How do species evolve? Find out in the shocking conclusion of our Monkeyflower mystery series! Plant biologist David Lowry has been tracking down clues to solve the question of why plants look different - and the yellow monkeyflower is more than a suspect. Now, it’s time to take his detective skills up a notch, and use the science of DNA. A twisted discovery will flip the case - and lead to a new chapter in understanding how life evolves.  Hear more from our interview with David, on the special bonus interview episode that’s available to Patreon members who pledge at the $1 level or higher at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.  Check out David’s monkeyflower mystery comic book on our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com!  This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant 2153100: IMAGiNE: The genetic, developmental, and physiological mechanisms of plant local adaptation to oceanic salt spray.

Why do plants grow in different places? How do they adapt to different environments? And what makes them different species? Those are the questions that drove biologist David Lowry to begin a 20 year study of a shape-shifting plant called the yellow monkeyflower. It begins with a road trip, and ends up questioning everything you think you know about the definition of species. Get ready for a wild, plant-fueled ride into science! Hear more from our interview with David, on the special bonus interview episode that’s available to Patreon members who pledge at the $1 level or higher at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.  Check out photos and video of the yellow monkeyflower on our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com!  This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant 2153100: IMAGiNE: The genetic, developmental, and physiological mechanisms of plant local adaptation to oceanic salt spray.

Ever wondered how dinosaurs left their footprints behind millions of years ago? We embark on a prehistoric adventure with renowned paleontologist Paul Olsen! Discover the secrets behind dinosaur tracks and how these ancient prints can tell us incredible stories about the lives of dinosaurs. From the science of fossilization to what these footprints reveal about dinosaur behavior and habitats, Paul Olsen will guide us through the fascinating world of these mysteries left in stone - and share how he discovered thousands of dino tracks when he was just a kid. Join us on a Dino Map Adventure at nepm.org/dinomap! We’ve created a free audio tour to explore the science and history of dinosaur tracks in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts. Lindsay and Marshall will guide you through the place where dinosaur footprints were first discovered - and put you on the path to becoming dino track explorers! Dinosaur Adventures in the Pioneer Valley are supported by The Bement School, The Center School, and HCS Headstart. If you like this episode, consider supporting Tumble on Patreon by going to patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Get ad-free episodes for just $1 a month!

What do you call a scientist who studies poop? A poopologist! We’re exploring the stinky science of “poopology” at the zoo, to discover what poop can tell us about animal behavior! Poopologist Laurel Wescott, at the Oregon Zoo, will take us on a journey to find how chemicals found in animal poop can help zoo animals stay healthy. Plus, she’ll clue us in on the “cutest” and most surprising poops, and so much more! For more information about Laurel and the poop she studies, visit our website at sciencepodcastforkids.com, where we'll have resources, videos, and more. For ad-free versions of the episode and a birthday shout-out, go support Tumble on Patreon at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.

Is it possible to build a time machine? Can we time travel someday? That’s what Tumble listener Willa wants to know. Clifford Johnson, a theoretical physicist and film consultant, says that there’s real science behind the time travel - and he’ll tell us what it takes to do it. To learn more about time travel, go visit our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com, where you can find all sorts of awesome resources to go along with this episode. This is our last episode of season 9! If you like what we do, why not support our show on Patreon? Just go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast and support us at any level for ad-free episodes, or for $5 a month you can hear a happy birthday wish on our show. Visit our Threadless shop to get awesome tumble t-shirts: tumblepodcast.threadless.com

How do scientists find out if an asteroid might hit our planet? And what do they do if it’s on a collision course with Earth? We’ll meet a planetary defender - an astronomer who uses radar telescopes to defend our planet from space rocks! Edgard Rivera Valentín grew up in Puerto Rico, next to Arecibo, the world’s most powerful radar telescope. Hear the story of how Edgard became a scientist superhero, and the supervillain asteroids they’re up against.  A bonus interview episode with Edgard is available to Patreon members who pledge at the $1 level or higher at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.  Check out more resources about Arecibo and asteroids on our blog, at sciencepodcastforkids.com. Listen to Tumble en Español! Search for “Tumble en Español” wherever you get your podcasts, or on our website under “En Español.”

How did cicadas evolve to go underground for so long? Why do cicadas spend so much of their lives underground? That’s what listeners Gus and Zachary want to know. This spring, up to a TRILLION cicadas will emerge across 16 states in the U.S., in an event that hasn’t happened since 1803. Cicada scientist Chris Simon helps us dig into the surprising science of cicadas - and figure out how they’re changing on this science podcast for kids.  Listen to our interview episode with Chris Simon, available to Patreon members who pledge at the $1 level or higher at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.  We also have free resources on our website - including maps of the emergence and links to download Cicada Safari, a citizen science cicada project. That’s on the blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com. Buy Tumble gear at our threadless shop! ¿Hablas español? Hay más episodios de nuestro podcast Tumble en Español en nuestro sitio web, https://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/tumble-en-espanol.

Scientists stage an alien abduction to learn how bacteria avoid antibiotics, in this fact-meets-fiction episode! Meet our alien bacteria invaders (fiction) and our real life scientist, Caroline Blassick (fact) as they face off in a battle of microbial life and death. We’ll find out how Caroline implants mind-control devices in bacteria to improve human health, in bioengineer Mary Dunlop’s lab. Our bacteria are played by Clara and Elijah, middle school STEM students.  This episode is supported by the National Science Foundation under award number MCB 2032357.  Learn more about “alien bacteria” on the bonus interview episode on our Patreon, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.  We have more free resources about bacteria and antibiotics available on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com

Why can’t we see black holes? Can we see black holes with a telescope? That’s what Tumble listener James wants to know. We explore the science of supermassive black holes and gravitational waves, with the help of astronomer Maura McLaughlin. Find out how the LIGO telescope is aiding in the search for supermassive black holes on an intergalactic collision course! ANNOUNCEMENT: Tumble en Español, the Spanish adaptation of Tumble, is back for Season 3! Listen here: https://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/tumble-en-espanol Learn more about black holes and gravitational waves on the science podcast for kids blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com Listen to Maura talk about the science of pulsar stars - the key to finding gravitational waves and black holes - in our bonus interview episode, available when you support us on Patreon for just $1 or more a month on Patreon.com/tumblepodcast.

What does a spider web sound like? Join us as we weave a web of connections between science and music - and learn some truly mind-blowing facts about spiders! MIT scientist and musician Markus Buehler shares his journey into the spiderverse, turning spider silk into instruments and making materials from nature.  Watch Markus’ spider music videos on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com The song "Spider Variations" by Markus Buehler was used with permission from Markus. The sounds are based on a sonification method of a spider web as described in the references below [1-2], part of a larger collaboration with Tomás Saraceno, Saraceno Studios, Ally Bisshop, Thomas Muehletahler, and Evan Ziporyn, and the MIT Center for Art, Science and Technology (CAST). Hear more of Markus' songs on his Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-275864738 Hear more from Markus about materials and music in our bonus interview episode, available when you support us on Patreon for just $1 or more a month on Patreon.com/tumblepodcast.

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse is coming to the United States! Join us for Tumble’s Eclipse Spectacular with games, music, and a thrilling audio experience to learn what it’s like to be on the path of totality. Eclipse expert Vivian White guides us and our listeners through the mysteries of this rare astronomical event. You’ll be singing our new song, “Total Eclipse of the Sun” with your eclipse glasses on!  Hear our bonus interview episode with Vivian on our Patreon feed at patreon.com/tumblepodcast, when you pledge just $1 or more a month. There’s more free resources to learn about the eclipse on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com “Total Eclipse of the Sun” will be available on Spotify by eclipse day!

When human health is on the line, it’s a case for a molecular detective! Meet Mona Minkara, a scientist who studies molecular clues to solve big crimes inside the body. She’s tracking down the criminals who creep into our bodies to make us sick. Find out how Mona uses her powers of observation to solve mysteries just like her hero, Sherlock Holmes. Support Tumble on Patreon to join Lindsay and Marshall on Zoom! Just go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast and support at ANY LEVEL! Learn more about Mona's work on the bonus interview episode on our Patreon, at ⁠⁠patreon.com/tumblepodcast⁠⁠.  Check out free resources for this episode available on the blog on our website, ⁠⁠https://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/

How do you think a stadium full of Taylor Swift fans would shake the earth? Tumble enters the Swiftiverse with Jackie Caplan-Auerbach, the scientist who discovered the “Swift Quake” - a type of earthquake created by fans at Taylor Swift concerts. Find out who really “shakes it off” - when it comes to music and seismic energy. Hear the other "sounds" of Jackie's earthquake and volcano research on the bonus interview episode on our Patreon, at ⁠patreon.com/tumblepodcast⁠.  Check out free resources for this episode available on the blog on our website, ⁠https://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/ Concert music in this episode was recorded by Ana Hedrick at a Taylor Swift show in Seattle, and used as data by Jackie Caplan-Auerbach.

What are the origins of human language? That’s what Elliana wants to know. Linguist Robert Englebretson joins us for a time travel adventure to unravel the mysteries of a question that has stumped scientists for centuries.  Learn more about the study of language with Robert Englebretson on the bonus interview episode on our Patreon, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.  Check out free resources for this episode available on the blog on our website, https://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/ This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number # 2148711 - Engaging Blind, Visually Impaired, and Sighted Students in STEM with Storytelling through Podcasts.

It’s Tumble’s 150th episode! 🥳 To celebrate, we had a Quiz Show with four of our biggest fans. Hear our Patrons Zoe, Kai, Eleanor and Avery compete in Tumble trivia with questions from episodes across all nine seasons of our podcast! You can play along at home, too! Click here or visit our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com to find an online quiz form that you can fill out as you listen. There will be a prize for our first three winners! Thank you to our amazing contestants! If you would like to compete in a future quiz show and help support the show, sign up to become a Tumble Patreon on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. You’ll get access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more goodies like these Quiz Shows.

What would the world be like without animals? Rae Wynn Grant - ecologist, podcaster, and bear cub cuddler - gives us a picture of what would happen if animals disappeared, and explains how we can stop it from happening. We’ll find out how the Endangered Species Act has worked for over 50 years to save endangered species, and how we can make it even better for the next generation. Thanks to Elliana, as well as Hadley and Roman for their question!  This episode is part of the Kids Podcast Party! Tumble and other kids podcasters are making episodes to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act. Want to hear more? Check out Smash Boom Best, and their episode about Capybaras vs. Komodo Dragons.  Hear more from our interview with Rae Wynn Grant - host of Going Wild with Rae Wynn Grant - on the bonus interview episode on our Patreon, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast We have free resources for this episode on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.

It’s a Halloween episode! “There’s a scary secret lurking in the kitty litter…” We’re making a horror movie about a common cat parasite - that can control minds! Toxoplasma gondii makes mice lose their fear of cats, in a plot to take over the world! Biologist Sebastian Lourido helps us tell the true tale of toxoplasma’s quest for cat domination, and what scientists are doing to stop the parasite in its banana-shaped tracks.