But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

Dr. Nick Turk-Browne, a Yale psychology professor, dives into the fascinating world of memory. He discusses why we can’t recall our baby years, shedding light on infantile amnesia. The conversation covers different types of memory, from motor skills to event memories, and how sleep plays a crucial role in memory consolidation. Turk-Browne also explains why forgetting is beneficial and how some memories are shaped by powerful associations. Plus, he shares insights on why some people are more forgetful and how memory impacts our identity and daily lives.

Explore the exciting concept of bucket lists as the hosts dive into their personal dreams, like hiking Vermont’s Long Trail and visiting Australia. Listeners share athletic goals like climbing V10 and finishing a 10K, alongside travel aspirations to destinations like Ireland and Antarctica. Culinary ambitions shine as kids express wishes to become chefs and savor cuisines worldwide. From whimsical career fantasies to adventurous skills, this discussion sparks imagination and inspires future goals!

Have you ever heard a fox scream at night and thought it was a human? And why, when goats bleat, do they sometimes sound like human babies? Animals can sometimes make similar noises but not because they’re feeling the same things. It often has more to do with how similar the sound-making structures in our bodies are! In this bonus episode, we learn about how animals make sounds and how their vocal folds work with Dougie Pickles, host of the sleepy adventure podcast Cozy Critters. Download Transcript

On a rainy, windy day, But Why hopped on a ferry and headed to Governors Island in New York City with one thing on our minds - oysters! We met up with Mike McCann of the Billion Oyster Project to learn more about these very special bivalves. How do they get their shells? How long do they live? What do oysters eat and who eats them? Why do people eat oysters without cooking them? Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript

How do musical instruments make their sounds? Why do people play music in the first place? What’s a viola bow made out of? How are musical instruments made? How much do professional musicians practice? Three musicians from the Vermont Symphony Orchestra joined families at the Vermont Public Studios for a special live episode during our Curious Kids Day live events. We hear from Melissa Meilens on flute, Katie Oprea on oboe and Stefanie Taylor on viola. Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript

Will Koss, the Executive Producer of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, shares a behind-the-scenes look at this iconic event. He reveals how massive balloons are made from proprietary fabric, heat-sealed together, and intricately hand-painted. Koss also discusses selecting characters, the impressive scale of float construction, and the teamwork required to manage 90 handlers keeping balloons afloat. Plus, learn why helium is crucial for floating and how they securely attach balloons to tiny strings for the parade's spectacular display.

Kassia St. Clair, a writer and author of The Secret Lives of Color, dives into the fascinating world of color. She explains how colors depend on light and perception and how varying species see colors differently. Kassia discusses the origins of colors, from natural sources to modern pigments, while revealing the surprising ways culture shapes our understanding of color names. Emotions tied to colors and the historical shifts in color meanings also spark engaging conversation, making this a colorful exploration of sight and culture.

Who invented candy? Why is it so sweet? Why does hard candy melt in your mouth? How are candy corn, gummies and nerds made? What makes pop rocks pop? We talk with traditional candy makers at Sticky in California and Hercules Candies in New York about how these sweet treats take their shape. And we get a little reminder about why we can’t eat sugar all day, every day.Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript

Sonja Noack, an expert on Icelandic horses and owner of Hestasnild, dives into the fascinating world of equines. She explains why horses sleep standing up, using 'leg-locking' to stay alert and when they actually dream. Listeners will learn about horses' unique adaptations to harsh climates, their evolution from small ancestors, and different gaits like the tölt. Sonja also reveals how sensitive their taste buds are and why breeders have developed so many distinct horse breeds. It's a trotting good time filled with hoof-tapping insights!

Volcanoes have been erupting on Earth for BILLIONS of years, and they’re still creating new landscapes today! Volcanoes can seem mysterious and scary, but people all over the world have learned to live in close proximity to active volcanoes. Today we answer questions you’ve sent us about how they form, how they erupt, what magma/lava is, and how volcanologists work to predict when they might erupt. Our guest is Freysteinn Sigmundsson, a volcanologist and professor at the University of Iceland. Download our learning guides and transcript: PDF | Google Slide  | Transcript