What do you call a scientist who studies poop? A poopologist! We’re exploring the stinky science of “poopology” at the zoo, to discover what poop can tell us about animal behavior! Poopologist Laurel Wescott, at the Oregon Zoo, will take us on a journey to find how chemicals found in animal poop can help zoo animals stay healthy. Plus, she’ll clue us in on the “cutest” and most surprising poops, and so much more! For more information about Laurel and the poop she studies, visit our website at sciencepodcastforkids.com, where we'll have resources, videos, and more. For ad-free versions of the episode and a birthday shout-out, go support Tumble on Patreon at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.

“Do dogs think and feel the way we do?” We all know dogs can’t talk. That’s why scientists have to come up with creative ways of asking our canine companions what’s going on in their minds. We’ll find out why dog cognition scientist Zachary Silver put on a play for dogs - which inspired us to create Tumble’s very first dog radio theater production! Just call us “The Tumble Dog Players.” It will all make sense by the end of the episode. This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from Season 8. We hope you enjoyed it! It was selected as a rebroadcast favorite by our supporters on Patreon, and if you want to vote on future events or hear more on our bonus interview episodes, just go support us on Patreon at the $1 level or higher at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. You can also buy tickets for our DinoTastic live performance in Brooklyn at bit.ly/DinoTastic Free resources, including a transcript, are available on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com Check out our new Tumble t-shirts and merch: tumblepodcast.threadless.com

How did cicadas evolve to go underground for so long? Why do cicadas spend so much of their lives underground? That’s what listeners Gus and Zachary want to know. This spring, up to a TRILLION cicadas will emerge across 16 states in the U.S., in an event that hasn’t happened since 1803. Cicada scientist Chris Simon helps us dig into the surprising science of cicadas - and figure out how they’re changing on this science podcast for kids.  Listen to our interview episode with Chris Simon, available to Patreon members who pledge at the $1 level or higher at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.  We also have free resources on our website - including maps of the emergence and links to download Cicada Safari, a citizen science cicada project. That’s on the blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com. Buy Tumble gear at our threadless shop! ¿Hablas español? Hay más episodios de nuestro podcast Tumble en Español en nuestro sitio web, https://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/tumble-en-espanol.

What happens when a baby falcon meets a balloon telescope in an old Wild West town? An astrophysics animal adventure, of course! Erika Hamden is an astrophysicist who’s attempting to launch a space balloon telescope called FIREBall, an experiment to study distant galaxies. But her mission to the stratosphere leads her to wild nature, when a baby falcon falls out of its nest and onto the telescope. It turns out, launches don't always go as planned. To learn more about Erika and FIREBall, listen to our bonus interview episode on Patreon! It’s available to Tumble fans who pledge just $1 or more a month. Pledge today at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Plus, there are free educational resources for this episode on our blog, at sciencepodcastforkids.com.

Do trees fart? It’s a question that stumped scientists, and sends us on a journey to some serious science! Come with us as we ponder if trees are butts, whether farts are defined by gas or digestive systems, and why “even the smallest fart counts.”  You’ll meet Mary Heskel, a plant biologist who wonders if she’s accidentally been studying tree farts, and Melinda Martinez, who studies climate change and identifies as a tree fart scientist. You’ll also hear from Tumble fans celebrating the fact that THIS IS OUR 100th ORIGINAL EPISODE! From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for listening! We hope you’ll stick around for the next hundred science stories! Listen to our bonus interview episode about tree fart research with Melinda Martinez, available to Patrons who pledge $1/month on patreon.com/tumblepodcast.  Find more resources (including tree farts being set on fire!) on the blog about this episode on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.

Do you love fossils and dinosaurs? Let us introduce you to Myria Perez, a paleontology-obsessed kid who grew up to get her dream job! Myria is a 24 year old fossil preparator, which means she prepares fossils to study and display in museums. She shares her journey of how a visit to her local museum set her on the path to follow her dino dreams.  Myria is an If/Then Ambassador. IF/THEN seeks to further advance women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) by empowering current innovators and inspiring the next generation of pioneers. This episode is supported by an If/Then mini grant. Curious to learn more about Myria’s journey and her work? Listen to our bonus interview episode with her on Patreon! Available for Patrons who support Tumble at the $1/ level or higher! Pledge at patreon.com/tumblepodcast Get Myria’s email address, see photos of her work and awesome dino outfits, plus watch her favorite paleontology YouTube channel - all on the blog on our website, sciencepodcast.com.  Our next episode is our 100th! We’re asking listeners to send messages to us to celebrate - and we may include them on this very special episode! Tell us your favorite moment or episode of Tumble, how you discovered us or how long you’ve been listening, whatever you want to tell us!  Record a video or voice memo and send it to tumblepodcast@gmail.com.

Tumble returns with all new episodes starting January 22! We’ll have stories about fossils, telescopes, and baby falcons getting into big trouble. How does a koala eat eucalyptus leaves? Eucalyptus is toxic to most animals, but they’re a koala’s only food. In this episode, we look past the cuddliness to discover how koalas manage to chow down on the Australian tree species. Biologist Michaela Blyton shares the story of how she convinced some extremely picky koalas to try new foods in the midst of a conservation crisis. Spoiler alert: It involves starting a koala hotel, and inventing a pill with an unusual ingredient.

A log that poops presents? Find out about Lindsay and Marshall’s favorite holiday tradition, Tió de Nadal! Followed by one of Tumble’s favorite-ever episode, The Secret Life of Plants. We’ll be back with brand new episodes in January. Thank you for listening to Tumble this year! Happy Holidays and see you in 2021!

How did scientists develop coronavirus vaccines in record time? New York Times science reporter Carl Zimmer is our guide to the coronavirus vaccine race - from the starting line, to the point when several teams are racing to the finish line. Find out how science gave the competitors a turbo boost that could save hundreds of millions of lives. The information in this episode is accurate as of its release on December  11, 2020. Looking for the latest vaccine information? Check out the links to the CDC, WHO, and Johns Hopkins University on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com. Learn more about coronavirus vaccines with Carl Zimmer, in our special bonus interview episode for Tumble patrons. Pledge today on Patreon for just $1/ month, to get access to all of our scientist interviews.

Bacteria are among the simplest forms of life on Earth. Each cell is identical to the one next to it, sharing the same DNA. So why do they all act so differently? Turns out, there’s a “cookbook” inside each teeny tiny bacteria cell, and every single bacteria has different ideas about the recipes it wants to make. Mary Dunlop is a biological engineer who’s a creative cook both in the kitchen and the lab - and she’s cooking up her own experiment of science discovery. Watch Mary’s “cell movie” on the blog post on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com. It’s really cool to see! You can learn more about synthetic biology in our interview with Mary, available for Patrons who pledge at the $1/level or higher, on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. This episode is supported by the National Science Foundation under award number MCB 2032357.

What are protons, neutrons, and electrons made out of? That’s what listener Xander wants to know. Physics expert Aatish Bhatia takes us on a journey into the atom, and explains how scientists discover things that are too small to see. You’ll find out how Albert Einstein helped prove the existence of atoms, and why physicists smash particles like piñatas in massive tunnels. You can learn more about how particle colliders work in our interview with Aatish, available for Patrons who pledge at the $1/level or higher, on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. We have free resources available on the blog post on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.

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! Visit our website to see photos and videos of the candy daggers, and find out what a stone forest looks like. Plus, follow Leif’s special recipe for “research-grade candy.” Check it out on the blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com!

How do whales use their blowholes to breathe, and what keeps them from filling up with water? There’s no better way to find out than getting up close and personal with whales! That’s what marine mammal biologist Justine Hudson did when she collected whale snot from belugas. Snot or “blow” is the watery cloud that sprays up when whales exhale. Justine shares her incredible snotty adventure in the Arctic, and tells us how blowholes work. Want to watch beluga whales chasing a boat of scientists trying to collect their snot? We have a video from Justine herself, on the blog on our website! Plus, more educational resources about studying whales. Visit sciencepodcastforkids.com. Scientists have a few other surprising ways to study whales. Find out more in our bonus interview episode with Justine, available to Patreon subscribers for just $1 or more a month. Pledge today on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. During October 2020, pledges at $10/month or more get a special PuppetGram with our awesome puppet friends!

Scientists stage an alien abduction to learn how bacteria avoid antibiotics, in this fact-meets-fiction episode! Meet our alien bacteria invaders (fiction) and our real life scientist, Caroline Blassick (fact) as they face off in a battle of microbial life and death. We’ll find out how Caroline implants mind-control devices in bacteria to improve human health, in bioengineer Mary Dunlop’s lab. Our bacteria are played by Clara and Elijah, middle school STEM students.  This episode is supported by the National Science Foundation under award number MCB 2032357.  Learn more about “alien bacteria” on the bonus interview episode on our Patreon, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.  We have more free resources about bacteria and antibiotics available on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com

Why do some trees go dormant? You’ll discover the answer for yourself in this interactive episode, with the help of tree scientist Nalini Nadkarni! Nalini has loved trees since she was little, and dreamed of inventing a special tree microphone to ask them questions. But she found the scientific process was a way to get answers, no special equipment needed. Nalini will guide you through making observations, asking questions, and discovering why trees shut down for the winter.  Special resources for this episode are available on the blog for this episode, at sciencepodcastforkids.com. Do you wonder how trees know WHEN to go dormant? We answer this question on a special mini episode, available to Tumble Patrons who pledge just $1/month or higher. Go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast to support the show and get access to all our audio extras.

If someone asked you to collect your poop every day for a year, would you say yes? That’s what microbiologist Lawrence David did, after watching a movie about a man who said yes to everything. Accepting the challenge led to a year of very stinky international adventures, turning Lawrence into the James Bond of poo. And, he loved every minute of it. Join us for the incredible story of a secretive project about the human microbiome. This is the first episode of Season 6, and we’re so glad to be back! We’ve got so many great science stories to share with you. Want to learn more about Lawrence and why we are what we eat? Watch curated videos, listen to related podcast episodes, and discover the cutting edge science on a blog for this episode at sciencepodcastforkids.com. Find out what Lawrence eats, and if he’s good at dealing with bad smells, in a special bonus episode for Patreon supporters. The answers will definitely surprise you. Just go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast and pledge just a dollar a month to hear it, and all our other scientist interviews.

All new episodes of Tumble are starting on Friday, September 18! We have a preview of what’s coming (for kids!) and helpful advice from a teacher (for parents!). Our co-host Marshall has been a teacher for almost 17 years. He’s putting together a podcast mini-series for parents on Patreon called, “Tumble Teaching Tips.” In this first episode, he answers a BIG question: “How do I keep my kid(s) engaged in online learning?” You’ll learn about two research-based ideas to keep your child motivated - both in school, and in life. We hope this gives Tumble families some tools to navigate this unusual school year. Marshall will be doing more “Tumble Teaching Tips” on our special Patreon feed. If you’d like to sign up to listen, and receive all our other great rewards, pledge $1 or more a month at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.  We can’t wait to share what’s to come!

Tumble will return with Season 6 in September! In the meantime, please enjoy one of our favorite episodes from Season 5. Craving new Tumble? Check out our brand new audio course on Himalaya Learning at himalaya.com/tumble! “The Wildlife Of Your Home” has new episodes every week. Use code TUMBLE at checkout for a free 14 day trial. “What’s the oldest dinosaur?” “How did dinosaurs come alive?” We tackle two listener questions in one epic story of dinosaur domination. Scientist Jessica Whiteside takes us back in time to the dawn of the dinosaurs, 230 million years ago. The story involves fascinating fossils, intense lava eruptions, climate craziness, and dinosaurs doubling in size. We’re going to find out what happened, and how scientists discovered it all. Hear more from our interview with Jessica Whiteside and discover the bizarre ancestor of the dinosaurs! You can listen to our bonus episode (and many more!) when you pledge just $1/month or more to support Tumble on Patreon, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Learn more about dino-tastic topics covered in the show on our blog, at sciencepodcastforkids.com.

New Tumble episodes are coming next month, in Season 6! For now, please enjoy one of our favorite episodes of Season 5, with NASA astronaut Dr. Serena Auñon-Chancellor. How do you become an astronaut? That’s what Tumble listener Margaret wants to know. We go straight to the source to get an answer: A NASA astronaut! Dr. Serena Auñon-Chancellor shares her journey to outer space with us. Starting from being a kid watching shuttle launches, to her school’s Astronaut Club, all the way to NASA’s Astronaut Candidate program, and finally to the International Space Station. Serena also shares the surprising truth about doing science research in space. Join us on her path to the stars!

We're so excited to share the first episode of The Wildlife of Your Home Podcourse with you! We think of it as a true crime science story, happening in your own home. But don't be scared - this is definitely a kid-friendly who-dunnit!  The Wildlife of Your Home is an interactive, educational audio experience - based on one of our favorite episodes of Tumble! Join me and scientist Rob Dunn for a 10 part series that will show your home in a whole - new - way. You’ll meet fascinating creatures and solve the mystery of what lives inside your home. Better yet, you’ll get the tools to do real science - starting a journey that can continue long after you finish the course. If you’ve ever enjoyed hunting for bugs, this course is for you. Go to learning.himalaya.com/tumble and enter promo code TUMBLE at checkout to get your first 14 days free.

Join Tumble for a first-of-its-kind, interactive, educational audio experience. The Wildlife of Your Home Podcourse is a 10 episode series that will train you to become an indoor wildlife investigator - a rare kind of scientist! You’ll learn about ecosystems, by discovering the unknown creatures you wake up with every day. As you listen, you’ll be writing, observing, and getting on your hands and knees to explore. And best of all, you’ll be doing REAL SCIENCE - contributing to a worldwide scientific effort to study indoor ecosystems. The Wildlife of Your Home is coming to you this July, exclusively on the Himalaya Learning Platform. Himalaya Learning provides bite-sized courses from world-class thinkers and industry experts for you to enjoy in the app, on the go. Not only will you receive all of our premium episodes, but you’ll also have access to educational PDFs to guide and expand your discovery. To listen to this audio course and others like it, go to learning.himalaya.com/tumble and sign up to pre-enroll and get your early bird discount.

Mystery Recipe is a children’s podcast about cooking from America’s Test Kitchen Kids. Hosted by Molly Birnbaum (our guest on “The Science of Smell”), the series is a journey through different ingredients, all leading up to a grand finale cook along! The recipe is a MYSTERY—will you be able to guess what it is? Today we’re featuring the first episode. If you like what you hear, the first season is available wherever you get your podcasts. Tumble is working on exciting new projects, and we’ll be sharing them with you soon! Stay tuned for more!

Stoopkids Stories is a storytelling podcast about Black characters navigating and overcoming different obstacles with family, friends and community. It’s hosted and written by performer Melly Victor. This episode, called “The BB Twins” is all about dance. It’s about two twins who hit it big with a dance they upload to the internet. Their success opens a big new opportunity - but is it one they want to take? We hope you enjoy the story, and maybe it will start some important conversations! You can subscribe to Stoopkids Stories wherever you listen to podcasts. To find more podcasts featuring Black voices and Black creators, check out the podcasts on this list by the School Library Journal. Tumble is taking a break from regular episodes, but we’ll be back with some VERY SPECIAL PROJECTS we have in the works, throughout the summer! And don’t worry, birthday shoutouts are still in effect! To get one, just pledge at the $5 level or higher at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.

How would you reinvent something that’s been used for thousands of years, by millions of people? In this episode, we discover the process of invention with Rory Cooper, an engineer who revolutionized the wheelchair. He’s our guide to time traveling back to the kings and queens who used wheelchairs, and to the future of rideable robots. Anyone want a ride on a Mars rover?! Listen to more of our interview with Rory Cooper, when you become a member on Patreon! Just $1/month gets you access to our special bonus interview episodes with all our scientists. Pledge at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.  Watch videos of Rory’s wheelchairs (including the waterpark wheelchair in action!) at our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.

Why can’t we see black holes? Can we see black holes with a telescope? That’s what Tumble listener James wants to know. We explore the science of supermassive black holes and gravitational waves, with the help of astronomer Maura McLaughlin. Find out how the LIGO telescope is aiding in the search for supermassive black holes on an intergalactic collision course! ANNOUNCEMENT: Tumble en Español, the Spanish adaptation of Tumble, is back for Season 3! Listen here: https://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/tumble-en-espanol Learn more about black holes and gravitational waves on the science podcast for kids blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com Listen to Maura talk about the science of pulsar stars - the key to finding gravitational waves and black holes - in our bonus interview episode, available when you support us on Patreon for just $1 or more a month on Patreon.com/tumblepodcast.

Would you fly to the top of a volcano that’s about to erupt at any moment? Volcanologist Helena Buurman did, and survived to tell the tale! In 2008, Helena was monitoring Mount Redoubt in Alaska, when the ground beneath the volcano began to shake. What follows is a tale of volcanic adventure, involving earthquakes, helicopters, and a massive eruption!  We invite you to invent your own volcano! Find resources to learn more about volcano warning signs and eruptions, on our website at www.sciencepodcastforkids.com We have more from our interview with Helena Buurman for our Patrons who pledge just $1/month or more. To listen, pledge today at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. For more volcano episodes, check out one of our favorites: “What Would Earth Be Like If Volcanoes Didn’t Exist?”

What happened when astronomers discovered the first alien from another solar system? This is a true story! In 2017, a telescope in Hawaii spotted a distant object in the night sky, behaving like nothing we’d ever seen before. They named it ‘Oumuamua, and an astronomical chase began! Join astronomer Jane Luu on her quest to track it down and figure out how the first interstellar visitor arrived in our solar system. We have another great episode with Jane Luu, about her breakthrough discovery of the Kuiper Belt! Listen to The Search at the Edge of the Solar System. You can also listen to an extended interview with Jane Luu about Oumuamua when you pledge to support Tumble on our Patreon, for just $1/month. Learn more about ‘Oumuamua on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.

We’re back with a new set of kids’ questions about COVID19, as well as some important updates on questions from our first coronavirus episode. Dr. Juan Dumois, infectious disease pediatrician, answers some tricky questions like, “If you were the coronavirus, what would life feel like?” and “Can I play with my friend?”  * *Our interview with Dr. Dumois was recorded on April 17, 2020. If you’re listening weeks later, the situation and the science might have evolved, and Dr. Dumois’ answers might be outdated - information that feels old or incorrect. In that case, look for more recently updated information from trusted sources, like the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and follow guidelines from your local government. You can also keep sending us questions at tumblepodcast@gmail.com! Do you love Tumble? Support us on Patreon.com/tumblepodcast with a pledge! Find more information about some of the answers in this episode at our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.

Why do foods smell the way that they do? A would-be chef goes on a quest to find out, after she loses the ability to smell. Molly Birnbaum, editor of America’s Test Kitchen Kids and host of the podcast, Mystery Recipe, navigates us through the olfactory organs and the startling chemistry of food. Join us to discover the science of smell, and how your nose helps you cook and taste. Want to hear more from our interview with Molly? We have a special bonus interview episode available to all our patrons! Just pledge $1 or more a month at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. We’re sharing more resources about the science of smell and cooking on our blog at our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.

Los virus son como los ninjas más pequeños del planeta. Tienen infinidad de trucos y misterios. ¿Cómo adquieren los animales los virus y cómo se lo pasan a los humanos? Esa era la pregunta de uno de nuestros oyentes. Para averiguar la respuesta, nos adentramos en la ciencia de la virología, el estudio de los virus. El Dr. Jasdave Chahal es un virólogo y nos explica cómo el coronavirus saltó por dos especies hasta los humanos, y de dónde salió. Además, averiguamos cómo los científicos descubrieron los virus aún antes de poder verlos, y cómo cómo crearon las herramientas para protegernos de estos sigilosos ninjas. Esta es una versión especial en español de Tumble, producida por Nuria Net y Alex García de La Coctelera Music. ¡Gracias a todos los que ayudaron con este episodio! Para más recursos (en inglés) sobre el coronavirus visita nuestra página web, sciencepodcastforkids.com. También te puede interesar este episodio con las preguntas de nuestros oyentes: Coronavirus: Preguntas y Respuestas para Niños y este otro episodio sobre los virus y las vacunas (en inglés): The Sign of the Ninja Virus.

How do animals get viruses to pass on to humans? That’s what listener Ian wanted to know. To find out, we’re exploring the science of virology - the study of viruses. Virologist Dr. Jasdave Chahal explains how coronavirus jumped through two species into humans, and where they came from in the first place. Plus, we’ll find out how scientists discovered viruses before even seeing them, and how they built the tools to fight back. We have more virology resources on the blog for this episode on our website, www.sciencepodcastforkids.com. Want to hear more from our interview with Jasdave? We have a bonus interview episode available for Patreons, when you pledge $1/month or more at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Do you have questions about coronavirus? Send them to us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com. Correction: A previous version of this episode stated that viruses were first discovered in rabies. They were discovered in tobacco mosaic virus. The new version makes the correction that viruses were first hypothesized in rabies, but discovered later in tobacco plants.

Si tienes preguntas sobre el coronavirus, tenemos las respuestas. El coronavirus nos está afectando a todos y puede parecer peligroso y difícil de entender. Por esta razón, Tumble reunió preguntas de sus oyentes y contactó con un experto para responderlas. Le preguntamos al Dr. Juan Dumois, un médico pediátrico de enfermedades infecciosas, lo que todos nos estamos preguntando, especialmente los niños:**** He escuchado que el coronavirus empezó con unos murciélagos y quería saber si esto es cierto. Y si fue así, ¿qué pasó?  ¿De dónde proviene el nombre del coronavirus? ¿Cómo se transmite el coronavirus de persona en persona? ¿Por qué el coronavirus parece ser más peligroso para la gente mayor que para los niños? ¿Puedo darle besos y abrazos a mi abuela? ¿Le puede dar coronavirus a mi mascota? ¿Cómo puede la ciencia ayudar a frenar este brote? Esta es una versión especial en español de Tumble, producida por Nuria Net y Alex García de La Coctelera Music. ¡Gracias a todos los que ayudaron con este episodio! Para más recursos (en inglés) sobre el coronavirus visita nuestra página web, sciencepodcastforkids.com. También te puede interesar este episodio sobre los virus y las vacunas (en inglés): The Sign of the Ninja Virus.  Si estás buscando actividades, también tenemos materiales educativos para acompañar algunos de nuestros episodios. Si utilizas el código COVID, puedes descargarlos de forma gratuita durante la cuarentena del coronavirus. Solo tienes que ir a “Teacher Store” en nuestra página web y poner COVID al finalizar la compra.  Esperamos que este episodio especial te ayude a entender el coronavirus desde un punto de vista científico y que durante estos tiempos inciertos, ayude a los niños y a sus familias a proteger a sus seres queridos más susceptibles.

**Evidence about behavior and contagion has evolved since this podcast was released. Please refer to current reporting from trusted sources like Stat News for updated information about coronavirus.** Do you have questions about coronavirus? We’ve got answers. Coronavirus is probably affecting your life right now, and it can seem scary and complicated to understand. That’s why we collected questions from listeners, and got an expert to answer them. We asked Dr. Juan Dumois, an infectious disease pediatrician, these questions and more: Did coronavirus really originate from bats, because that’s what I heard? If so, how did it happen? How did coronavirus get its name? How does coronavirus travel to different people? Why does coronavirus seem more dangerous for the elderly than it is for kids? Can I still hug and kiss my grandma? Can my pet get coronavirus? What will it take to end the outbreak? How can science help? Thanks to everyone who contributed to this episode! We’ll have more resources for kids about coronavirus on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com. You might also want to listen to our episode about viruses and vaccines: The Sign of the Ninja Virus. If you’re looking for activities, we also have educational materials to go along with some of our episodes. We are making them free during the coronavirus outbreak with the code COVID. Just go to our “Teacher Store” on our website and enter COVID at checkout. We hope this special episode helps you understand the science behind the coronavirus, and how kids and families can help keep vulnerable people safe during this uncertain time.

Can science make you better at sports? Sports scientist John Drazan says the answer is yes. John shares how losing a high school basketball game made him start thinking like a scientist. His high school physics teacher stepped in to explain how an idea called “mechanical advantage” could have saved the last point of the game - and changed his life forever. Join us to hear John’s aha moment, and hear his tips on how science can make you better at the things you love to do.  Want to hear more about sports and science? We have a bonus interview episode with John, where he shares how he used physics to learn how to dunk. You can listen to this and all our other scientist interview episodes when you pledge just $1/month on patreon, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast We have some great resources on science and sports available on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.

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.

What does a spider web sound like? Join us as we weave a web of connections between science and music - and learn some truly mind-blowing facts about spiders! MIT scientist and musician Markus Buehler shares his journey into the spiderverse, turning spider silk into instruments and making materials from nature.  Watch Markus’ spider music videos on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com The song "Spider Variations" by Markus Buehler was used with permission from Markus. The sounds are based on a sonification method of a spider web as described in the references below [1-2], part of a larger collaboration with Tomás Saraceno, Saraceno Studios, Ally Bisshop, Thomas Muehletahler, and Evan Ziporyn, and the MIT Center for Art, Science and Technology (CAST). Hear more of Markus' songs on his Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-275864738 Hear more from Markus about materials and music in our bonus interview episode, available when you support us on Patreon for just $1 or more a month on Patreon.com/tumblepodcast.

Why do dogs look and act so different from each other? Listener Finley has two Chihuahuas named Peanut and Maggie, and she wants to know why they have different head shapes. She thinks it might have something to do with their DNA. It turns out scientists are studying what makes dogs the way they are, with the help of gigantic books of doggie DNA. Geneticist Jessica Hekman takes us on a journey through the history of dog breeding and into the cutting-edge science that’s helping us understand what makes our pups so special. Come explore genetics through dog breeds! Learn more about dog breeds and behavior in our interview with Jessica Hekman, available to our Patreon supporters! To get access with a pledge of just $1/month and up, go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Get more information about dog genetics and Darwin’s Ark on the blog post on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.

Tumble has won a big award for two episodes: “The Cave of the Underground Astronauts” and “The Science of Whiskers.” You’ll hear them both in this twin pack of awesome stories of science discovery.  Tumble is the 2019 Gold Award winner of the AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award, in the category of Children’s Science News. It’s an international prize that “recognizes distinguished science reporting for a general audience.”   “The originality and creativity that went into these two pieces is remarkable,” said Christine Dell’Amore, a *National Geographic *editor. “These podcasts taught kids a ton about science in a fun and engaging way.”  Lindsay will be traveling to Seattle in February to receive the awards, and give a free public talk about how to make science podcasts, for both kids and adults! If you’re in the Seattle area, come to her “Meet a Scientist” talk on February 15 at 12 pm. She’d love to meet you!  The talk is part of AAAS Family Days - a weekend filled with science activities at the Seattle Sheraton Grand Hotel. It’s free to attend on February 15 and 16. More information and registration link here.

Tumble is on winter break! In the meantime, enjoy this episode from our friends at But Why?: A Podcast for Curious Kids. We know that our listeners are some of the most curious kids on the planet, so you’re sure to love it. If you enjoy this episode, check out over 100 more episodes by subscribing to But Why? wherever you get your podcasts. Tumble will be back with all new episodes on February 7. We can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on!

Tumble is on winter break! In the meantime, enjoy this bonus-size pack of science from our friends at Fun Kids Science Weekly. In this British podcast, Dan takes a look at the week’s best science stories. And they gave us the year’s best stories, all rolled up into one giant episode! Enjoy while you travel, and find out more about the show on FunKidsLive.com.  Tumble will be back with all new episodes on February 7. While you travel, enjoy our road trip compilations: The Animal Road Trip Adventure, The Road Trip to Outer Space, and The Explorer’s Road Trip.  Happy New Year, from all of us at Tumble!

How do you become an astronaut? That’s what Tumble listener Margaret wants to know. We go straight to the source to get an answer: A NASA astronaut! Dr. Serena Auñon-Chancellor shares her journey to outer space with us. Starting from being a kid watching shuttle launches, to her school’s Astronaut Club, all the way to NASA’s Astronaut Candidate program, and finally to the International Space Station. Serena also shares the surprising truth about doing science research in space. Join us on her path to the stars! Want to hear more from our interview with Serena about training to become an astronaut? Listen to our special bonus interview episode. It’s available when you pledge just $1/month on Patreon! patreon.com/tumblepodcast We have resources to learn more about Serena and the NASA astronaut training program on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.

Why do we have snot? Do animals get stuffy noses, too? We delve into the world of thick secretions with the help of Dani Rabiaotti, zoologist and author of “Believe it or Snot: The Definitive Field Guide to Earth’s Slimy Creatures.” You’ll find out why we make so much mucus, and meet the slimiest animals on the planet. Plus, you’ll discover why scientists study slime, even though it’s super gross. Want buckets more of slime info? We’ve got a BONUS EPISODE with Dani Rabiaotti! You can listen to our scientist interview (and many more!) when you pledge just $1/month or more to support Tumble on Patreon, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Learn more about slimey topics covered in the show on our blog, at sciencepodcastforkids.com.

“What’s the oldest dinosaur?” “How did dinosaurs come alive?” We tackle two listener questions in one epic story of dinosaur domination. Scientist Jessica Whiteside takes us back in time to the dawn of the dinosaurs, 230 million years ago. The story involves fascinating fossils, intense lava eruptions, climate craziness, and dinosaurs doubling in size. We’re going to find out what happened, and how scientists discovered it all. Hear more from our interview with Jessica Whiteside and discover the bizarre ancestor of the dinosaurs! You can listen to our bonus episode (and many more!) when you pledge just $1/month or more to support Tumble on Patreon, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Learn more about dino-tastic topics covered in the show on our blog, at sciencepodcastforkids.com.

Ship ahoy! We’re taking you on an expedition at sea, to do science on a research ship! With the help of geochemist Jeanine Ash, we’re climbing on board the JOIDES Resolution, a one-of-a-kind vessel that travels the seven seas, exploring what lies beneath the seafloor. The ship is equipped to find clues to Earth’s history, geology, biology, and even… alien life. So get your sea legs (and ears) ready, and let’s chart a course for science. Hear more from on board the ship, and our interview with Jeanine Ash on a special bonus episode. It’s available to Tumble fans who pledge just $1 or more a month to our Patreon campaign at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Want to learn more about JOIDES Resolution? We’ve got tons of multimedia educational resources linked up on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com/blog. See what the ship looks like, watch it in action, learn more about Jeanine’s expedition, and even arrange a video visit for your classroom!

How do peregrine falcons dive so fast? That’s what listener Henry wants to know. Peregrines hit speeds of over 200 mph, making them the fastest animal on the planet. Even faster than cheetahs! Mathematical biologist Graham Taylor studies the science of animal flight, and peregrines are his most impressive subjects. Find out how peregrines win the ultimate animal race, and how scientists are revealing the hidden physics and math behind fast flight. Want to learn more about fast birds, bio-inspired engineering and mathematical biology? Check out our special bonus interview episode with Dr. Graham Taylor. It’s available on Patreon when you pledge for just $1 or more a month, along with all of our scientist bonus episodes. Pledge here: patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Go to our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com to check out the falcon’s-eye-view videos from Graham’s study, as well as more resources on peregrines and fast flight.

How does a koala eat eucalyptus leaves? Eucalyptus is toxic to most animals, but they’re a koala’s only food. In this episode, we look past the cuddliness to discover how koalas manage to chow down on the Australian tree species. Biologist Michaela Blyton shares the story of how she convinced some extremely picky koalas to try new foods in the midst of a conservation crisis. Spoiler alert: It involves starting a koala hotel, and inventing a pill with an unusual ingredient. Today’s episode is a longer one, in celebration of our first day back from a long break! But don’t worry, our next episodes will be back to our usual time. For more resources about koalas and the conservation crisis at Cape Otway, visit our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com Want to hear more of our interview with Dr. Michaela Blyton? We have an exclusive interview episode for our Patrons! Just pledge $1/month (or more) on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. You’ll get these special bonus episodes for every interview we feature this season!

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse is coming to the United States! Join us for Tumble’s Eclipse Spectacular with games, music, and a thrilling audio experience to learn what it’s like to be on the path of totality. Eclipse expert Vivian White guides us and our listeners through the mysteries of this rare astronomical event. You’ll be singing our new song, “Total Eclipse of the Sun” with your eclipse glasses on!  Hear our bonus interview episode with Vivian on our Patreon feed at patreon.com/tumblepodcast, when you pledge just $1 or more a month. There’s more free resources to learn about the eclipse on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com “Total Eclipse of the Sun” will be available on Spotify by eclipse day! 

Tumble returns for Season 5 on October 4, with all new episodes! In the meantime, enjoy one of our favorite-ever episodes. What would happen if our Moon suddenly disappeared? Would we still have tides? It turns out that the Moon has a much bigger influence on Earth than you might think. Without the Moon, life as we know it would not exist! Rocket scientist Miquel Sureda explains what happened before the Moon existed, and how we know that the Moon is slowly moving away from us. Love Tumble? Want a special shoutout on your birthday? Pledge today at patreon.com/tumblepodcast, at the $5 level or higher! Visit our website at sciencepodcastforkids.com

Tumble will return with all new episodes starting October 5! Until then, listen to one of our favorite episodes. "Do plants feel pain?" Jude's question leads us to stunning discoveries about what plants feel, what theyhear, and even what they talk about! Biologist Heidi Appel reveals how scientists learned about plants' inner lives, and tell sus the story of how she discovered "listening" plants. You'll never look at plants the same way again. We rely on listener support to keep making the show. Pledge on Patreon for bonus interview episodes, birthday shoutouts, and more!

What are Earth’s top ten biggest animals? You’ll find that out, and more, with the help of Earth Ranger Emma! We’re sharing our favorite episode from our friends at Earth Rangers. Earth Rangers is a podcast for anyone who loves to explore the mysteries of nature. If you love Tumble, we’re sure you’ll love this show. Want to hear more Earth Rangers? Subscribe to Earth Rangers wherever you listen to podcasts, or check out bestrobotever.com, where you’ll find more great Gen Z shows (including Tumble!). We’re on summer baby break, but Season 5 is coming in Fall 2019! We rely on listener support to keep making the show. Pledge on Patreon for bonus interview episodes, birthday shoutouts, and more!