Tumble Science Podcast for Kids

Latest Episodes:

The Secret Senses of Plants Jan 26, 2018

Show notes

“Do plants feel pain?” Jude’s question leads us to stunning discoveries about what plants feel, what they hear, and even what they talk about! Biologist Heidi Appel reveals how scientists learned about plants’ inner lives, and tells us the story of how she discovered “listening” plants. You’ll never look at plants the same way again. What can YOU observe about your houseplants? How do they react to changes in light, water, or other variables? Tell us -- and send in your science questions -- at tumblepodcast@gmail.com. Want to learn more about plant communication? Check out our blog at www.sciencepodcastforkids.com. Tumble is brought to you with help from our sponsor, GoGoSqueeZ! Find these yummy, healthy snacks in the applesauce aisle. Tumble’s Teacher Store is coming! We’re getting NGSS-aligned materials ready for your homes and classrooms! Science activities, graphic organizers, lessons, transcripts, and more will be available starting February 1st. Patrons who pledge $5 or more will have access for FREE! Pledge today at www.patreon.com/tumblepodcast, or www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/materials to visit the store. Thanks for listening!

How to Build a Robotic Eel Dec 22, 2017

Show notes

Meet Envirobot, a robotic eel who slithers along the surface of the water, seeking the source of water pollution. The future is here, and it's full of swimming robots! We meet members of the team behind Envirobot, Bezhad Bayat and Alessandro Crespi. They tell us what it takes to turn a swimming animal into a robot - the twists, the turns, the technology, and the math. If you could design a robot based on a swimming animal, what would it be and why? What would it do? We want to hear your ideas, and see your designs! Email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com. Check out a video of Envirobot and terrifying photos of lampreys on our blog, at sciencepodcastforkids.com! Looking for transcripts of our episodes? They're now available at http://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/materials. They're 50% off through the New Year! Want to support Tumble and get access to ALL our educational materials, plus special opportunities to be on the show? Pledge to our Patreon campaign at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Happy Holidays and have a great New Year to all our listeners!!

The Case of the Sparkly Mineral Dec 08, 2017

Show notes

"How are minerals made?" "What makes rocks sparkly?" Mary Lou and Tilly are curious about minerals, the chemical compounds that make up rocks! Get ready for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Field Museum in Chicago! Collections manager Jim Holstein opens cabinets containing some of the most exceptional minerals in the world. Find out how scientists have classified minerals for hundreds of years, and why some minerals glow in the dark. Do you have a rock collection? Or any kind of collection? How do you organize, or "classify" it? Check out photos and videos from our tour on the blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com Want to support Tumble, and hear your name on the show? Pledge on our Patreon campaign at patreon.com/tumblepodcast! We LOVE our supporters.

Mission CO2 to Mars Nov 24, 2017

Show notes

“Could we ship Earth’s extra carbon dioxide to Mars?” Our listener Ilan has come up with a brilliant plan to stop climate change in its tracks, and make Mars a place we can live - AT THE SAME TIME. Your intrepid Tumble hosts attempt to lift his idea off the ground, with help from Czech environmental scientist Kristina Zackuciova, and NASA astrophysicist Scott Guzewich. Join us, to find out how a scientific journey starts - and whether Ilan has discovered how to save two worlds with one simple plan. Tumble is brought to you with help from Homer. Try Homer, the only learn to read method powered by your child’s interests and shown to increase early reading scores by 74%. As a Tumble fan, you’ll get two months free by visiting learnwithhomer.com/tumble. Wonderbly supports Tumble too! Get a preview of a book starring your child (great for gifts, too!) at www.wonderbly.com. Enter TUMBLE at checkout to get 15% off your order! Want to support Tumble yourself? Pledge at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. At the $5 level, we’ll shoutout your child on the show, and you’ll get access to our growing folder of educational resources - along with an AD-FREE version of the show! Are you using Apple Podcasts right now? Great news! It’s easier than ever to write a review of Tumble. Every positive reviews sends a rainbow directly into our hearts (don’t worry, it’s healthy). Check out resources on our website at sciencepodcastforkids.com, and email us YOUR questions at tumblepodcast@gmail.com

Marshall's Mailbag Episode! Nov 10, 2017

Show notes

It's a mail bag episode! While Lindsay is away, Marshall is going through a bunch of listener questions and answering them as best he can. Do monkeys get ice cream headaches? Why is Play-doh so salty? Listen to find out the answer to this and more in this special episode of Tumble. If you want to submit a question for Marshall & Lindsay to answer, go visit our website at http://sciencepodcastforkids.com.

We Ain't Afraid of No Ghosts: A Tumble Halloween Oct 27, 2017

Show notes

Why do people believe in ghosts? And can science ever prove that they don’t exist? We take a road trip with Dennis Waskul, a sociologist who traveled to graveyards and “haunted” houses to hear ghost stories, from the people who lived them. He wanted to find out why 50% of Americans believe in ghosts. What he discovered might spook you - in a good way! (Note: This episode is NOT scary.)

BONUS EPISODE: Kidcast Sampler! Oct 25, 2017

Show notes

We often talk about how there are so many great kid podcasts out there to discover. Now, we're bringing those podcasts directly to you, in this sampler pack of a bonus episode! Find these podcasts and more at applepodcasts.com/kids You'll hear some of our favorite podcasts for kids. We really believe that listening to podcasts for kids with our son has brought something truly special into our lives, that we couldn't get with any other type of media. We've heard from listeners that Tumble has turned trips to the park into dinosaur fossil hunts, fort-building into a submarine adventure, and boring car rides into a time for interesting conversation. What have podcasts done for your family? Tell us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com. Enjoy!

Why Words?! How We Learn Language Oct 20, 2017

Show notes

Children are the best language learners, says psycholinguist Evan Kidd. But how do children learn languages so easily, and why is learning another language so hard when you're an adult? It's something we've been wondering since we moved to Barcelona, Spain this summer. Evan Kidd shares his quest to put together the complex puzzle of how humans learn language. What he's discovered might change the way you think about your own native tongue. To join us on our adventures in Barcelona, plus get access to an ad-free version of the show and educational materials, pledge at patreon.com/tumblepodcast Listen to Tumble on the Kids Listen app! app.kidslisten.org If you have any questions about science that you'd like Lindsay and Marshall to help answer, go to our website - www.sciencepodcastforkids.com - and use the contact form. While you're there, you can also find a blog with lots of great resources about this episode.

The Electric Detectives Oct 06, 2017

Show notes

Where does electricity come from? That's what listener Ati wants to know. Lindsay and Marshall get on the case of a massive blackout that plunged 50 million people into darkness Scientist and engineer Mike Legatt helps us solve the mystery. We made a cool electric grid scavenger hunt for this episode that you can download for free on our Patreon Page! Subscribe at the $5 level (or higher!) to find more great activities like this one. You can also listen to Tumble on the BRAND NEW Kids Listen App! If you have any questions about science that you'd like Lindsay and Marshall to help answer, go to our website - www.sciencepodcastforkids.com - and use the contact form. While you're there, you can also find a blog with lots of great resources about this episode.

The Solar System’s Wild Ride Sep 22, 2017

Show notes

Do solar systems move? That’s what Levan wants to know. NASA astronomer Stefanie Milam shares how technology has allowed humans to see the course our solar system has charted through space – and how a powerful new telescope will widen our view even more. Want to learn more, and see photos of the James Webb Space Telescope? Check out our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com. Help us take Tumble to the next level (outer space?)! Support the podcast you love at on our Patreon campaign at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.