But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

Discover the upcoming 2024 solar eclipse in North America, where the moon will block the sun's light. Learn about totality, partial eclipses, and how to safely watch it. Hear from experts like solar physicist Martina Arndt and planetarium director Mark Breen.

Exploring the impact of invasive species like Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades and why it's important to manage them. Understanding how unintentional introductions can disrupt ecosystems and the efforts to control species like spotted lanternflies. Emphasizing curiosity and learning about the environment.

Snow is made of unique crystalline structures, with varying shapes and sizes. Thunderstorms can occur during snowstorms, adding an extra layer of excitement. Learn about the science behind snow formation and why some areas get more snow than others. Explore the extreme conditions faced by meteorologists at the top of Mount Washington, where frigid temperatures and high winds are common.

Learn how glasses improve vision by adjusting light focus on the retina, and hear from kids with low vision who share their experiences wearing glasses and using special tools. Discover how our perception of colors is influenced by personal filters and brain processes, and the importance of eye exams for optimal visual development in kids.

Learn about the basics of eyes and eye exams, the anatomy and function of the eyes, the purpose of two eyes and depth perception, correcting strabismus and testing depth perception, and measuring glasses prescription and the benefits of glasses and contact lenses.

The podcast explores 'what if' questions like talking cereal, dinosaurs not laying eggs, and the world spinning backward. They discuss the role of imagination in science and share interesting facts about live-birthing ancient dinosaur relatives. They also explain what would happen if the world suddenly stopped spinning and talk about bat hibernation.

Children and listeners around the world share what makes them happy, from spending time with family and pets to engaging in their favorite activities. The concept of happiness is explored, debunking the misconception of shared happiness and emphasizing individuality. The importance of relationships, learning new skills, and finding personal joy is discussed. The episode also features an interview with happiness expert Gretchen Rubin.

Linguist and professor, Anna Babel, answers questions about bilingualism and the number of languages one can learn. Kids from around the world share their experiences speaking multiple languages and the cultural connections they feel. The podcast also discusses the importance of languages as reflections of identities and the challenges of humor and authenticity in non-native languages.

Explore the process of making electric guitars and guitar strings with a local luthier. Learn about woodworking, electric components, and assembly, as well as the uniqueness of each guitar. Get advice for aspiring luthiers and discover Kreston's guitars.

Zookeeper Mariel Lally answers questions about pandas including why they are black and white, if they hibernate, and how to save them. The podcast also discusses the role of zoos in panda conservation, enrichment items for pandas, and the importance of biology and animal care for working with zoo animals.