Moment Of Um

Latest Episodes:

How does wifi work? Aug 05, 2024

Show notes

Wifi seems like magic! It lets us send information from routers to computers through the air!. But how does it work? Are there magical computer data tubes? Lasers? Tiny invisible falcons carrying messages incredibly quickly? We asked computer scientist Vikram Iyer to help us find the answer.

Got a question about who, what, when, where, or WHY-fi? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll signal you an answer!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do crabs breathe? Aug 02, 2024

Show notes

Did you know there are thousands of different species of crabs on Earth? Most of them live in water, but there are plenty of species that can live outside the water, too. So how do crabs breathe, both in the water and on land? We asked biologist and science communicator Sarah McAnulty to help us find the answer.

Got a question that’s got you feeling crabby? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll write you an answer on our finest cruSTATIONERY.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do different flowers have different smells? Aug 01, 2024

Show notes

For the most part, flowers smell really great, right? They give off scents that are sweet, syrupy, perfumy and fresh. But they don’t all smell the same. We asked botanist Josh Felton from Colorado College why that is.

Got a question you’d like to sniff out? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll find a budding expert to give the answer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why is the sun so hot? Jul 31, 2024

Show notes

Our sun is a big fiery ball of gas. It is very bright and very hot. So hot that we can’t even send spacecraft there without them burning up! But how does the sun make all that heat? We asked physics grad student Raj Katti help us find the answer.

Got a question that’s a real scorcher? ? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll get bRIGHT to work finding the answer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is a whale shark bigger than a whale? Jul 30, 2024

Show notes

Whale sharks are big. They’re the biggest fish in the whole ocean! Have you ever wondered how they got so big? We asked shark expert Amani Webber-Schultz to help us find out.

Do you have an ocean-sized question sloshing around in your brain? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll SEA what we can find!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do wolves get the zoomies? Jul 29, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever seen a dog get the zoomies? That big burst of energy makes them skitter around like furry lightning bolts! But how about wolves? Do they get the zoomies, too? We asked wolf researcher and educator Michelle Mancini to help us find the answer.

Got a question that’s zooming around in your mind? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll pack your brain full of answers!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How old is the oldest tree? Jul 26, 2024

Show notes

Ever wondered how trees keep track of time? They don’t wear wristwatches, so…do they have a tree calendar? Or count their rings like candles on a birthday cake? We asked arborist Casey Clapp to help us find the answer.

Got a question that’s budding in your mind? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help sprout the answer!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you tell real from counterfeit money? Jul 24, 2024

Show notes

The paper money that we use in the United States is printed by the Department of the Treasury. But if money is printed…well, then why couldn’t someone print hundreds of dollars for themselves? How do you know if the crisp five dollar bill in your hand is the real deal or a fake-a-rooni? We asked money expert and Million Bazillion co-host Bridget Bodnar to help us find the answer.

Got a question banked in your brain? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll spend our time on the answer!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do dogs and cats have butt cheeks? Jul 22, 2024

Show notes

Human butts are divided into two cheeks that come in all shapes and sizes. Plus, they help us stand upright and move around! But what about dogs and cats? Why don’t they have butt cheeks like ours? We asked dog researcher Alexandra Horowitzto help us find the answer.

Got a question you’ve been sitting on? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help you crack it open!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why does chamomile tea make you sleepy? Jul 19, 2024

Show notes

There are lots of things we can do to relax and get ready for bed at the end of the day: take a warm bath, curl up with a book, or even sip a steaming mug of chamomile tea! But why does chamomile tea make us feel so sleepy? We asked brain doctor and sleep expert Chris Winter to help us find the answer.

Got ZZZZZ-illions of questions? Send them to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help find the answers in a sNAP!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected