Tumble Science Podcast for Kids

Are cats really plotting world domination, or are they just quirky companions? Dive into the science of feline behavior as a cat expert debunks myths about their 'evil' nature. Learn how cats differ from dogs in their domestication and what truly drives their preferences. Discover fascinating research on how to better understand and interact with your kitty. Plus, hear fun tips for being a better feline friend while challenging common misconceptions about our furry housemates!

Dive into the intriguing world of the yellow monkeyflower and discover how water availability drives its evolution. Explore the complex genetic differences that foster biodiversity among these plants. Unravel the fascinating secrets of hybrid monkeyflowers, featuring playful concepts like 'chromosome walking'. Understand the adaptations necessary for survival in changing climates, while celebrating the spirit of young scientists making waves in the field.

Discover the intriguing world of the yellow monkeyflower and its wild adaptability. A biologist shares insights into this shape-shifting plant that challenges our understanding of species classification. Personal gardening experiences ignite a passion for plant biology, while unique adaptations reveal how some thrive in toxic environments. The search for different varieties leads to humorous debates on what truly defines a species. Dive into the mysteries of plant DNA and the call to explore and experiment with nature!

Join renowned paleontologist Paul Olsen as he unpacks the secrets of dinosaur tracks! Discover how these ancient footprints reveal the speed and behavior of dinosaurs, offering insights that bones can't provide. Paul shares his childhood fascination with fossils, igniting a passion that led him on remarkable adventures. Learn about the fascinating processes of track formation and preservation, plus exciting ways to explore dino tracks in the Pioneer Valley. Each footprint tells a unique story from millions of years ago!

Laurel Wescott, a poopologist at the Oregon Zoo, dives into the surprisingly fascinating world of animal feces. She explains how studying poop can reveal critical insights about animal health and emotions. Discover the cutest and most bizarre types of droppings while learning about the role of stress hormones. Laurel shares amusing anecdotes about her unusual job and highlights the importance of this unique research in conservation efforts. Get ready for a stinky but educational journey into the science of poop!

Zachary Silver, a dog cognition scientist known for his groundbreaking research, joins the conversation about what dogs really think and feel. He shares his innovative approach, including a playful theater production designed for canine audiences. The discussion unveils fascinating insights into dogs' social cognition, showcasing their ability to discern human kindness. Silver emphasizes the importance of imaginative inquiry in understanding these beloved pets, encouraging listeners to engage with their dogs in creative ways.

This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from the past. Do bugs have elbows? That’s what Clare wants to know. Her question starts a debate between Team Bug Arms and Elbows, and Team Bug Legs and Knees! Choose a side, and come on the trail of a bug bod mystery with superstar entomologist and dragonfly specialist Jessica Ware. Turns out, dragonflies are a lot weirder (and ancient!) than you might think!Hear more from our interview with Jessica! Check out our bonus interview episode, available to patrons who support the show at just $1 a month or more. It’s on our exclusive ad-free podcast feed, along with all of our other bonus episodes!We also have free resources of cool bug and dragonfly science on the blog at our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.To go see our live performance in Brooklyn, go to http://bit.ly/DinoTastic for tickets!

This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from Season 8! This was voted on by our patrons on Patreon--if you want to help us pick our next AND FINAL REBROADCAST OF THE SUMMER--just go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast and vote. You don't have to be a supporter to vote, but we'd appreciate it if you were!Can we hear and touch the stars, if we can’t see them? Yuma Decaux is trying to put the night sky into everyone’s hands, through technology and engineering. Find out how stargazing captured Yuma’s imagination when he was six, and how losing his sight inspired him to explore the cosmos in a whole new way - making astronomy accessible to everyone. Astreos, Yuma’s app, is currently in Beta. That means that when you try it out, you can give Yuma feedback on how to make it better! Download it on iOs here: https://astreos.space/Listen to our bonus interview episode with Yuma to learn more about how he developed Astreos and what accessibility means to him. You can hear it when you support us on Spotify or on Patreon at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.There are free resources, including a transcript, about this episode on the blog on our website, 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. If you're an upper elementary teacher, and you'd like to join our project for Year 3, just go to this link and fill out the survey: https://bit.ly/SSPTeacherY3. Our research team will contact you later if you are selected.Sounds in the episode are courtesy of Astreos and Cricket Ambi by VMan533 on freesound.org

This is an encore episode, picked by our Patreon supporters. If you want to go vote for our next encore, just go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast to go vote! You don't have to be a patreon supporter to vote, but it does help!Why do bubbles pop, and why do bubbles have shadows? We’re in double bubble trouble with two listener questions. Luckily, Dr. Bubbles is here to save the day! We’ll find out how a normal, everyman physicist named Justin Burton became a superhero bubble scientist, on a quest to make a scientifically proven recipe for giant bubbles. Along the way, we’ll discover the answers to our listeners’ bubbling curiosity. Hear from the inventor of edible bubbles, Li Wei Tan, in a bonus interview episode available on our ad-free Patreon feed! It’s available for just $1/month when you pledge to support Tumble at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. We’ll have free resources about bubbles on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.If you want to buy tickets to our live event in West Stockbridge, go to bit.ly/TumbleLive! We'd love to see you there!

Happy Halloween! We’re headed to Candy Land, a sugary laboratory where mathematicians found a mysterious candy dagger appear - over and over again. So gather up your candy box, and let’s discover out why mathematicians are studying candy to understand the real-life landscapes around us. Mathematician Leif Ristroph shares how he stumbled into making sweet experiments. Want to learn more about the reason behind Leif’s experiments? Listen to our bonus interview episode, available for Patrons at the $1/level a month or higher. Pledge now at Patreon.com/tumblepodcast!We have Leif’s special recipe for “research-grade candy” on our website. Check it out on the blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com! Want to see Lindsay and Marshall perform LIVE at the Foundry in West Stockbridge, MA? Go get tickets here.