Tumble Science Podcast for Kids

What happens to your brain when you get a concussion? It's common to get hit in the head when you play rough or risky sports. Everyone knows a concussion makes you woozy for a while. But the impacts of repeated concussions can last much longer. Learn how American football players have helped scientists unravel a mystery that could change the way that sports are played. With Dr. Kiki Sanford, host of the wonderful podcast This Week in Science. We want to see your ideas about how to keep your brain safe while playing sports or walking down the street! Email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com. Enjoy the show? Rate us on iTunes, find us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

We take you inside the famed Explorers Club in New York City, where we meet a real explorer! Richard Garriott de Cayeux has been around the world and into space on scientific expeditions. He shares the stories of famous explorers and his own family expeditions – beginning with his astronaut dad. Plus, he explains on how to find a real meteorite near your house! If you want to see some of the amazing collections of Explorer’s Club history, watch video tours on our blog at http://www.tumblepodcast.com We’re looking for your questions for ocean explorer Gaelin Rosenwaks. Send a recording of your question to tumblepodcast@gmail.com by April 26, 2016. Love our show? Leave us a review on iTunes! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tumble-podcast/id984771479

Does the universe go on forever? Or does it have an edge? Jack and Kate have a few ideas about how to find out, involving a GoPro and a rocket. We ask astrophysicist Katie Mack if the universe is infinite and if a robot explorer will ever send us a selfie from the very edge of its expansion. Her answer will boggle your mind. Visit tumblepodcast.com to learn more! Subscribe on iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tumble-podcast/id984771479, and leave us a review. Music by Marshall Escamilla and Podington Bear. Photo of a distant galaxy cluster courtesy of NASA, ESA, CXC, NRAO/AUI/NSF, STScI, and R. van Weeren (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics).

What makes dogs loyal? This question comes from Amalia, a sixth grade student. We ask two different dog scientists, and their answers will surprise you. We learn about an experiment that tests dogs’ loyalty - or does it? Get ready to get inside the head of a dog! We want to hear about your dogs! Email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com, visit us at tumblepodcast.com, and like us on Facebook. Photo courtesy of Mia Cobb.

Why do bats hang upside down? That's what fifth graders living in the Bat Capital of the World - Austin, Texas - want to know. We visit Micaela Jemison at the world headquarters of Bat Conservation International to figure out why bats have such weird sleep habits. Plus, why would bats walk on treadmills? They're mysterious creatures. This is the first in a series of shows featuring kids' questions. We want to hear what you think! Email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com, message us on Facebook, and tweet us on Twitter. Send us your bat t-shirt designs and we'll share them!

Sarah Richardson, a biologist, dreams of being of a farmer. Instead of tending to barns full of cows making milk, she'll have petri dishes full of bacteria. They'll be making a brand new kind of fuel that could replace gas we put in our cars. But just like the first human to milk a cow, Sarah has a difficult job to do. In this episode, she explains how she's trying to convince bacteria to make the things we need - but will they listen? Learn more about Sarah's story at www.tumblepodcast.com, and sign up for our weekly kid-friendly podcast recommendation newsletter. Subscribe on iTunes and leave us a review. Want to ask a question on Tumble? Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, or email and ask away. Photo credit: Microbe World

What would the world be like if there were no parasites? You might actually miss those mind-controlling blood suckers. Science writer Carl Zimmer tells us how scientists are discovering the hidden importance of parasites' dirty work.

[Now, with new information on decoy spider research!] One dark night in the Amazon, three guys stumble face first into a new discovery - and capture it all on video. Joe Hanson, from It's Okay to Be Smart, tells the story. Music in this episode by Broke for Free.

No one knows what dark energy is or why it exists. So how did astronomers discover the mysterious force that's pulling the universe apart? Astronomer Jeff Silverman explains one of the universe's biggest mysteries. Learn more at www.tumblepodcast.com! Subscribe on iTunes and leave us a review. Music by Noveller and YACHT, courtesy of the Free Music Archive.

Emily Graslie, host of the YouTube science show The Brain Scoop, explains how an encounter with a dead mouse at a natural history museum steered her toward one of the most important discoveries of her life. (This episode contains references to preserving dead animals.) Music in this episode is by Podington Bear. Brain Scoop clips used with permission