Tumble Science Podcast for Kids

In this enlightening discussion, planetary scientist Bill Bottke, a member of NASA's Lucy mission team, dives into the origins of Earth. He reveals how our planet formed from a gas-and-dust cloud, shaped by cosmic collisions. Bill shares fascinating insights about the Moon's creation from a Mars-sized impact and the evolution of conditions that allowed life to thrive. The conversation also explores the mysterious Trojan asteroids, which may hold key clues about the early solar system and the origins of Earth's water.

In this lively discussion, Lee Davies, the Collection Manager at Kew Gardens' Fungarium, shares his passion for fungi while overseeing a treasure trove of 1.3 million dried specimens. He delights listeners with insights on fungal respiration, explaining how fungi absorb oxygen through mycelium. Lee reveals the fascinating world of zombie fungi that manipulate insects, and discusses the vast number of undiscovered species waiting to be found. Plus, he offers tips on collecting and identifying fungi, sparking curiosity for budding mycologists!

Robin Grant, a senior lecturer in comparative animal behavior and physiology, takes us on a whisker-filled journey. She reveals how seals rely on their sensitive whiskers for underwater navigation, relying on touch when vision is limited. With adorable anecdotes about training seals like Moe, Robin shares how these animals 'count' whisker contacts to gauge size. Additionally, she discusses the evolutionary loss of human whiskers while retaining the facial muscles that control them. Dive in to learn about the fascinating science behind whiskers!

We’re wrapping up 2025 with a final Mailbag episode, featuring some of our longest-running Patrons! Did you know, when you sign up to support Tumble on Patreon, you’ll get a personalized message from Marshall? And if you’ve been supporting us for years, we might just call you up to chat! We’ll meet our mysterious patron, MiloSloth and his family, and learn why they love to support the show.  Plus, why is the English language so weird? Who made PB & J a combo? And do all cats hate getting wet? We have the answers. If you want to join Milo and support Tumble on Patreon, just go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast and pledge at whatever level you want! $1 or more gets you ad-free versions of the show, and $5 and up gets you a birthday shout out! Also don't forget about gift subscriptions, which make great last-minute holiday gifts! Want Tumble merch? Just go to tumblepodcast.dashery.com for t-shirts, mugs, hats, tote bags, and so much more.

Charley Wu, a cognitive scientist, dives into the fascinating intersection of video games and learning. He discusses how he crafted a Minecraft experiment to explore human learning behaviors, leveraging the game's engaging nature to collect insightful data. Listeners will discover how players demonstrate social learning by observing others for rewards. Plus, Charley shares advice for kids on embracing diverse experiences to become flexible learners. It's a captivating journey from gaming to cognitive science!

Join zoologist Dani Rabiotti, co-author of "Believe It or Snot," as she unravels the sticky secrets of mucus! Discover why humans and animals produce snot, and how it keeps our airways healthy. Dani explains the thickening of mucus during colds and the surprising safety of eating boogers. Meet the slimiest creatures, from parrotfish with mucus cocoons to hagfish that use slime as a defense. Learn why scientists study these gooey substances and their potential in eco-friendly innovations!

Dive into the underwater symphony of fish sounds! Explore how researchers capture these aquatic vocalizations using hydrophones. Discover the unique grunts and boops of various species, like the Gulf toadfish's calls during mating season. Learn about the fascinating case of a misidentified cusk eel that confused scientists. And did you know Pacific herring produce 'fart' sounds? This playful exploration unveils the secret lives of fish and their communities beneath the waves.

Join science historian Efram Sera-Shriar, who delves into the intriguing world of ghost investigations. Discover how 19th-century scientists explored spiritualism, attended seances, and used experimental controls to debunk tricks. Learn about Thomas Edison's ambitious spirit phone idea and Michael Faraday's inventions aimed at testing ghostly phenomena. With the rise of spirit photography, curiosity about the supernatural continues, but science remains skeptical. Efram shares tips on how to investigate ghost sightings, sparking a fun discussion on the unknown!

Dr. Diane Kelly, a biologist from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and expert in animal anatomy, explains the quirky side of dinosaurs. She unpacks whether dinosaurs, like dogs, sniffed each other's behinds. Through a fascinating discussion of a well-preserved Psittacosaurus fossil, Diane reveals how researchers use cloaca anatomy to infer dinosaur behavior and chemical communication. The conversation highlights the link between anatomy and behavior, leaving listeners intrigued about the smelly secrets of the prehistoric world!

This is our final Mailbag episode before all-new stories of science discovery arrive on Friday, October 17. Lindsay and Marshall share behind-the-scenes updates on what’s coming up in Season 11 — plus a special challenge to guess the topics of our first three episodes! Then, astrophysicist Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi (host of NOVA’s Particles of Thought and judge on Netflix’s Baking Impossible) joins us to tackle your big-universe questions: How does your body know you’re in a black hole? How do asteroids form? Why don’t we feel dizzy as Earth spins? And… what dessert would be best to eat in space? Plus we read your reviews, share how to support Tumble, and send in your own guesses and stories. Next time, we kick off a brand-new season of science adventures! LINKS! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/tumblepodcast Yoto cards: https://us.yotoplay.com/products/animal-facts-critter-curiosities-gross-science-pack Audiobook: https://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/single-post/tumble-media-announces-first-audiobook-collaboration-with-rbmedia Merch store: https://tumblepodcast.dashery.com/ Want to hear Aidee's Album "Nothing Rhymes With Orange?" Just click here. (https://platoon.lnk.to/nothing-rhymes-with-orange)