Tumble Science Podcast for Kids

Latest Episodes:

The Voyage of the Ocean Trash with Jenni Brandon Jul 01, 2016

Show notes

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a vast, swirling soup of trash, twice the size of Texas. Can we ever clean it up? That’s what 8 year old Ila wants to know. She lives in Hawaii and likes to pick up trash whenever she goes to the beach. She lives closer to the garbage patch than most of us. We talk to Jenni Brandon, a researcher who has been to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch - a place where few people will visit, but where we all have an impact. She tells us how surreal it is to sail through trash, why the garbage patch exists, and what scientists are doing about it. To find out more, visit tumblepodcast.com Marine debris photo courtesy of Jenni Brandon.

The Case of the Invisibility Cloak with Andrea Alu Jun 17, 2016

Show notes

What are invisibility cloaks made of, and when can we buy them in gift shops? That's right, invisibility cloaks are not just for wizards anymore. We get into the very real science of invisibility with Dr. Andrea Alu. Dr. Alu is one of the leading scientists working on "cloaking." We learn how scientists are playing with the laws of physics and optics to turn fantasy into scientific reality. Have a question for Tumble? Send us a recording with your name, age, question, what you think the answer is, and how scientists might find out. Email it to tumblepodcast@gmail.com! If you love Tumble, support us by writing a review on iTunes or donating on our website. For more about Kids Listen, a new awesome organization for kids podcasts, visit kidslisten.org.

The Journey to the Deepest Part of the Ocean with Gaelin Rosenwaks Jun 01, 2016

Show notes

Where is the deepest part of the ocean, and have we been there in person? Ocean explorer Gaelin Rosenwaks answers with an amazing story of the first explorers to dive to a mysterious place called Challenger Deep. It's filled with awesome adventure, incredible risk, and awe-inspiring reward. This is a journey that changed the way we understand the ocean. Love Tumble? Leave us a review on iTunes! Want to be on the show? Send us a question! Record yourself asking the question, and tell us what you think the answer is and how scientists might find the answer. Would you support Tumble? Donate on our website, www.tumblepodcast.com.

The Hunt for Black Holes with Karl Gebhardt May 18, 2016

Show notes

How do black holes work? And how do we learn about them, if they're impossible to see? We talk to Dr. Karl Gebhardt, who has helped discover over half of the black holes that astronomers have ever found. Light cannot escape from a black hole, which means that they are impossible to see. We find out the secret to finding black holes, and how what happens inside might explain mysteries of gravity. Astronomy adventures are ahead in this episode! Music in this episode is by Secret Agent 23 Skidoo from his upcoming album, Infinity Plus One. Ask us a question, listen to more episodes, and donate at tumblepodcast.com. Subscribe to Tumble Science Podcast for Kids and review on iTunes. Follow on Facebook and Twitter. Thanks for listening!

The Mystery of When Brains and Sports Collide with Kiki Sanford May 04, 2016

Show notes

What happens to your brain when you get a concussion? It's common to get hit in the head when you play rough or risky sports. Everyone knows a concussion makes you woozy for a while. But the impacts of repeated concussions can last much longer. Learn how American football players have helped scientists unravel a mystery that could change the way that sports are played. With Dr. Kiki Sanford, host of the wonderful podcast This Week in Science. We want to see your ideas about how to keep your brain safe while playing sports or walking down the street! Email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com. Enjoy the show? Rate us on iTunes, find us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

The Adventure of The Explorers Club with Richard Garriott Apr 13, 2016

Show notes

We take you inside the famed Explorers Club in New York City, where we meet a real explorer! Richard Garriott de Cayeux has been around the world and into space on scientific expeditions. He shares the stories of famous explorers and his own family expeditions – beginning with his astronaut dad. Plus, he explains on how to find a real meteorite near your house! If you want to see some of the amazing collections of Explorer’s Club history, watch video tours on our blog at http://www.tumblepodcast.com We’re looking for your questions for ocean explorer Gaelin Rosenwaks. Send a recording of your question to tumblepodcast@gmail.com by April 26, 2016. Love our show? Leave us a review on iTunes! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tumble-podcast/id984771479

The Quest for the Edge of the Universe with Katie Mack Mar 30, 2016

Show notes

Does the universe go on forever? Or does it have an edge? Jack and Kate have a few ideas about how to find out, involving a GoPro and a rocket. We ask astrophysicist Katie Mack if the universe is infinite and if a robot explorer will ever send us a selfie from the very edge of its expansion. Her answer will boggle your mind. Visit tumblepodcast.com to learn more! Subscribe on iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tumble-podcast/id984771479, and leave us a review. Music by Marshall Escamilla and Podington Bear. Photo of a distant galaxy cluster courtesy of NASA, ESA, CXC, NRAO/AUI/NSF, STScI, and R. van Weeren (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics).

The Puzzle of the Friendly Dog with Mia Cobb and Krista Macpherson Mar 17, 2016

Show notes

What makes dogs loyal? This question comes from Amalia, a sixth grade student. We ask two different dog scientists, and their answers will surprise you. We learn about an experiment that tests dogs’ loyalty - or does it? Get ready to get inside the head of a dog! We want to hear about your dogs! Email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com, visit us at tumblepodcast.com, and like us on Facebook. Photo courtesy of Mia Cobb.

The Cave of the Upside Down Bat with Micaela Jemison Mar 02, 2016

Show notes

Why do bats hang upside down? That's what fifth graders living in the Bat Capital of the World - Austin, Texas - want to know. We visit Micaela Jemison at the world headquarters of Bat Conservation International to figure out why bats have such weird sleep habits. Plus, why would bats walk on treadmills? They're mysterious creatures. This is the first in a series of shows featuring kids' questions. We want to hear what you think! Email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com, message us on Facebook, and tweet us on Twitter. Send us your bat t-shirt designs and we'll share them!

The Tale of the Bacteria Farmer with Sarah Richardson Feb 10, 2016

Show notes

Sarah Richardson, a biologist, dreams of being of a farmer. Instead of tending to barns full of cows making milk, she'll have petri dishes full of bacteria. They'll be making a brand new kind of fuel that could replace gas we put in our cars. But just like the first human to milk a cow, Sarah has a difficult job to do. In this episode, she explains how she's trying to convince bacteria to make the things we need - but will they listen? Learn more about Sarah's story at www.tumblepodcast.com, and sign up for our weekly kid-friendly podcast recommendation newsletter. Subscribe on iTunes and leave us a review. Want to ask a question on Tumble? Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, or email and ask away. Photo credit: Microbe World