Tumble Science Podcast for Kids

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.

This is an encore of one of our favorite episodes from Season 5! If you'd like to help us choose our next episode, go to our Patreon and VOTE! You don't have to pledge to support us in order to vote, but if you do we'd appreciate it a ton!What’s it like to be a kid doing experiments in one of the most famous science places in the world? Oscar and Mae Johnson were nine and twelve when they traveled to the Galapagos Islands with their scientist dad. The Galapagos are isolated tropical islands made famous by Charles Darwin, who came up with the theory of evolution based on his research there. Mae and Oscar followed in Darwin’s footsteps. With help from their parents, they conducted their own research and got it published in a scientific journal - a big deal for scientists of every age! Hear Mae and Oscar tell their own story of science discovery in this episode. See photos of Oscar and Mae doing their experiment on our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com! We also have more resources to learn about the Galapagos there. Want to learn more about Mae and Oscar’s great science adventure and experiments? We have a special bonus interview episode available for our Patrons. Just pledge $1/month for this and all our scientist interviews at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.

This is a summer encore episode of one of our favorite episodes from Season 4 of Tumble!Do you love fossils, adventure, and spending time in small spaces? If so, you could become an underground astronaut! Marina Elliot, Becca Peixotto, and Kenni Molopyane found this unusual job description through a Facebook ad, and landed deep inside a cave that few people can access. The team of archeologists talked to Tumble in the middle of excavating Homo Naledi, one of the biggest recent discoveries on the human family tree. Find out how they squeeze through a 7 inch gap on their daily commute, and how their work could change the way we understand early human history.If you want to vote on Tumble's next re-broadcast for the summer, go to https://bit.ly/SummerTravelPoll and vote!While you're there, think about subscribing at the $5 level or higher to get birthday shout outs, interview extras, and more!

Guest Clifford Johnson, a theoretical physicist and film consultant, discusses the science behind time travel. They explore the theoretical possibilities of building a time machine, navigating paradoxes, and Einstein's influence on the concept. The episode delves into the collaboration between science and Marvel movies to depict time travel accurately.

Edgard Rivera Valentín, a planetary defense astronomer and Arecibo native, shares his thrilling journey into the world of asteroids. He discusses how scientists detect potential Earth-bound asteroids and the innovative measures taken to safeguard our planet. With playful anecdotes, he likens his work to a superhero's mission, detailing the close encounter of asteroid Apophis and expressing the emotional significance of the Arecibo telescope. Edgard also emphasizes the importance of diverse representation in the scientific community, inspiring young listeners to engage with science.

Cicada scientist Chris Simon discusses the evolution and underground lives of cicadas, including the upcoming mass emergence event. The podcast explores the abundance of cicadas in California, the rare simultaneous emergence of 13-year and 17-year cicada broods, and the mysteries surrounding cicada emergence patterns and evolutionary secrets.

In a captivating blend of fact and fiction, scientists stage an alien abduction to uncover how bacteria evade antibiotics. Meet 'alien' bacteria and real-life scientist Caroline Blassick as they battle for microbial supremacy. Discover the dual nature of bacteria as both friends and foes in our bodies, and learn about innovative lab techniques that illuminate bacterial behavior. The whimsical narrative invites imagination, revealing how glowing bacteria can help us tackle antibiotic resistance. Fun and educational, this exploration ignites curiosity about the microscopic world!

Astronomer Maura McLaughlin talks about the science of supermassive black holes and gravitational waves. Discussion includes the search for black holes using the LIGO telescope and how pulsar stars play a key role in finding black holes. Exciting advancements in black hole detection are explored.

Discover the fascinating world of spider silk as it is transformed into musical instruments by MIT scientist Markus Buehler. Explore the intersection of science and music through sonification of spider webs, and unravel the mysteries of spider sensory perception and communication. Dive into the innovative work of creating music from the marvels of materials found in nature.