

Tumble Science Podcast for Kids
Tumble Media
A Common Sense Selection! Exploring stories of science discovery. Tumble is a science podcast created to be enjoyed by the entire family. Hosted & produced by Lindsay Patterson (science journalist) & Marshall Escamilla (teacher). Visit www.tumblepodcast.com for educational content.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 6, 2023 • 20min
The Science of Butts [ENCORE]
This is a re-broadcast of one of our most popular episodes of season 7, The Science of Butts!
What is a butt? That’s what science journalist Katherine Wu wanted to know. Her quest for an answer leads her into a web of big butt questions, and a search to find the top butt scientists in the world. She discovers a debate over where butts come from, and a very strange butt that could rewrite the annals of butt history.
This episode features an original song called, “Sometimes Butt.” Trust us, it’s a fun one! (And yes, we say the word “butt” and other butt-related words a lot.)
Can’t get enough of butt science? There’s plenty more! Listen to a bonus interview episode with Katherine Wu, available to Patrons who support Tumble at a level of $1 a month or more. You’ll get access to an ad-free feed with all our bonus episodes, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast
This episode is based on Katherine’s article, “The Body’s Most Embarrassing Organ is an Evolutionary Marvel.” Find more butt science resources on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.
Tumble en Español, our Spanish-language show, has new episodes starting January 27th! Check out that feed at here.

Dec 23, 2022 • 60min
Winter Road Trip Adventure!
Join Marshall as he treks through a blizzard to find a warm spot by the fire, and listen to these great winter-themed episodes of Tumble. In this Road Trip Pack, you'll hear these episodes:
The Great Seal Count
The People of the Snow
The Power of Pika Scientists
The Volcanic Eruption Adventure
Whether you're curled up by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa or out on a snow-shoe trek through the wilderness, enjoy these great episodes about science in the snow!

Dec 9, 2022 • 21min
Do Aliens Exist?
How likely is it that we’ll find intelligent alien life on other planets? Are there extraterrestrial civilizations that we could contact - or that could contact us? And what would these aliens be like? We’re going to try to answer these big questions with the help of two scientists, and a very famous math equation. Hear more from Kaitlin Rassmussen and Arik Kershenbaum in our special bonus interview episode, available to Patrons who pledge just $1 or more a month to support the show on patreon.com/tumblepodcastWe have free resources available on the blog on our website, https://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/single-post/do-aliens-existHere's a podcast we think you'll like: Armchair Adventures! It is a super-fun and a little bit bonkers series for kids aged 6-10. Join Connie and her gang of explorers for a new adventure every episode. Using your awesome imagination, you’ll visit magical places, meet extraordinary people and learn a thing or two along the way. It’s jam-packed full of sing and move-along fun. It's perfect for playtime, those gloomy rainy days, boring car journeys, and even round at your grans!

Nov 23, 2022 • 50min
Thanksgiving Road Trip - Making a Difference
In this special road-trip collection of Tumble episodes, you'll hear all about scientists who are making a difference in their communities. This episode pack contains:
How to be Helping Scientist
Reinventing the Wheel
What to do about Trash?
If you're a teacher and you want to participate in our group of teacher advisors, please follow this link to apply: https://bit.ly/TumbleTeachers

Nov 11, 2022 • 21min
How Do Toilets Work?
When you have to go, where does it go? That’s what our listener Ellie wants to know. Prepare for potty humor and science as we hear from civil engineer and toilet expert Francis de los Reyes! Who invented the toilet? And what’s “The Great Stink?” We’ll be plunging into the past, present, and future of flushing to discover how toilets don’t just save us from stinky smells - they save lives.Are you a teacher? Participate in our NSF-funded research project! Sign up here: https://bit.ly/TumbleTeachersLearn more about toilets and sanitation around the world, on our bonus interview episode with Francis de los Reyes. It’s available to Patreons who pledge just $1 a month at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.We have free resources about this episode on the blog on our website: https://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/single-post/how-do-toilets-workAll episodes have transcripts now!

Oct 28, 2022 • 22min
The Tomb of the Animal Mummies
Ever wonder what a mummy smells like? Or why millions of animals were mummified - including baboons? We climb into ancient tombs with Egyptologist Salima Ikram, to discover the science and culture of animal mummies. Salima is a real life tomb adventurer, cautious of scorpions and curious about the dead. Join us this Halloween as we excavate the secrets behind mummies!
We’re participating in Nat Geo Kids’ Podcast Party: Ancient Egypt in honor of the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tut’s tomb. Together with other kids podcasts we are making episode about Ancient Egypt. If you are interested in listening to more, check out Greeking Out.
We're also participating in a Kids Listen Survey! Grownups, take a moment to tell us about your family media habits in this quick survey.
Hear more from Salima 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 have free resources about this episode available on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.

Oct 14, 2022 • 20min
Gas Busters - Life Lab, Pt. 5
If there’s too much gas in the atmosphere, who you gonna call? Gas Busters! Find out how a bacteria from a rabbit’s gut could help fight climate change, in our final episode of Life Lab.
This episode features Dr. Ryan Tappel of LanzaTech, and a song collaboration with Basho Mosko, of Basho & Friends!
You can find a transcript and other educational materials about this episode on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.
Life Lab is supported by the Engineering Biology Research Consortium, a non-profit committed to educating the next-generation and building a community dedicated to solving big challenges with engineering biology. Funded by the National Science Foundation.
Find more of Basho’s educational music here.

Oct 7, 2022 • 18min
Fashion's New Spider Sense - Life Lab, Pt. 4
Take the Kids Listen Survey! Tumble’s Life Lab Show at the Cambridge Science Festival Spider silk? Mushroom leather? Discover what’s next in fashion: Clothes made from synthetic biology. We hear the story of how a synthetic biologist went from collecting spiders in his bedroom to working with some of the biggest names in fashion.This episode features Dr. Dan Widmaier, CEO of Bolt Threads.You can find a transcript and other educational materials about this episode on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.Life Lab is supported by the Engineering Biology Research Consortium, a non-profit committed to educating the next-generation and building a community dedicated to solving big challenges with engineering biology. Funded by the National Science Foundation.

Sep 30, 2022 • 21min
“Is This a Good Idea?” - Life Lab, Pt. 3
So far in Life Lab, we’ve uncovered the power of synthetic biology. But with great power comes great responsibility! In this episode, we’ll ask “Is this a good idea?” when it comes to changing the DNA of mosquitoes to fight a deadly virus.
This episode features Dr. Sam Weiss Evans and his 8 year old daughter, Izzy Weiss Evans.
Hear more from Sam about modified mosquitoes and making decisions about science, in our bonus interview episode! They’re available to Tumble Patrons who pledge just a dollar or more a month, on patreon.com/tumblepodcast.
You can find a transcript and other educational materials about this episode on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.
Life Lab is supported by the Engineering Biology Research Consortium, a non-profit committed to educating the next-generation and building a community dedicated to solving big challenges with engineering biology. Funded by the National Science Foundation.

Sep 23, 2022 • 21min
Moving to Mars? - Life Lab, Pt 2
Should we make the move to Mars? And how would we live there? Join us as we pack our bags for Mars with the help of synthetic biology. We’ll find out how astronauts could grow their own food, medicine, and even building materials on the Red Planet. But when Lindsay and Marshall start to disagree about moving to another planet, some tricky questions threaten the mission…
Welcome to Life Lab! This is the first part of our five part series about how tiny life can change our world. In Life Lab, we explore the incredible power of synthetic biology to solve some of our biggest challenges - and asking how it could change our future.
This episode features Adam Arkin and Kris Prather.
Life Lab is supported by the Engineering Biology Research Consortium, a non-profit committed to educating the next-generation and building a community dedicated to solving big challenges with engineering biology. Funded by the National Science Foundation.
We have two bonus interviews for you this week, featuring Christina and Kris! They’re available to Tumble Patrons who pledge just a dollar or more a month, on patreon.com/tumblepodcast.
You can find a transcript and other educational materials about this episode on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.
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