Spectacular Science

The Perseid Meteor Shower is a spectacular celestial event peaking August 11th-12th, 2024! Meteor showers, or shooting stars are events that happen when very special conditions are met. How do meteor showers happen? And, how can you watch the Perseids peaking in August 2024? In this episode, I will cover the science of the Perseids, how to watch them, and more.

Here’s an article! It is called “The Science of Comets!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/08/the-science-of-comets/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “Shooting Stars in a Jar! Activity” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/08/shooting-stars-in-a-jar-activity/)

This is the last episode of Season 7! I will be back with brand new episodes and Season 8 on September 24th, 2024.

Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

On July 23rd, a large explosion rocked Biscuit Basin at Yellowstone National Park. This explosion was said to be caused by hydrothermal activity under the park. What exactly caused this explosion and why is it important to study events like this? What’s the science going on underground at Yellowstone? In this episode, I will take you into hydrothermal science, Yellowstone Park, and explaining what exactly caused this massive explosion.

Here’s an article! It is called “What is a Hydrothermal System?” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/07/what-is-a-hydrothermal-system/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “Hydrothermal Systems Worksheet” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/07/hydrothermal-systems-worksheet-activity/)

Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

You’re surrounded by air everywhere! But, how much does the air weigh? How much does the entire atmosphere weight? Why don’t we get crushed into pancakes because of the weight of the air above us? Find out more about air pressure, how it works, and revealing how much air actually weighs in this episode.

Here’s an article! It is called “What is Air Pressure?” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/07/what-is-air-pressure/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “Make a Barometer!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/07/make-a-barometer-activity/)

Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

Space telescopes change the way we see the universe. July 12th, 2024 celebrates the second anniversary of the James Webb Telescope! Space telescopes are very interesting and the images they provide are even more mind-blowing. But, how do space telescopes work and how are they able to see galaxies that are so far away? In this episode, I will take you behind the science of space telescopes, how they work, and why they are important.

Check out the 2nd Anniversary “Penguin and Egg Galaxies” images! (NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI)

Here’s an article! It is called “How Telescopes Work!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/07/how-telescopes-work/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “Telescopes Worksheet! Activity” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/07/telescopes-worksheet-activity/)

Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

From shaving cream, to mayonnaise, to maple syrup, to our skin! Soft matter is all around us. In fact, scientists study soft matter and “squishy physics”! Why do they study this? Why is it important? And, why does soft matter, like syrup, act so differently? In this episode, I will be speaking with Dr. Eric Weeks, a professor of physics at Emory University. He studies soft matter in his lab and knows a lot about squishy physics. In this episode, you will learn more about why soft matter acts so weirdly and the science behind it!

Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

You may not realize it, but ocean currents impact your everyday life! From food, to shipping, to the weather, ocean currents play a large role in your life. How do ocean currents and the global conveyor belt work? What causes ocean currents? What’s the science behind it? In this episode, I will take you underwater to uncover the science behind ocean currents and how they work.

Here’s an article! It is called “The Global Conveyor Belt!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/07/global-conveyor-belt-currents/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “Hot and Cold Water Density Ocean Currents! Experiment” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/07/hot-cold-water-density-currents-experiment/)

Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

Science truly is all around you, and there’s no better example of that than granular physics! It’s the summertime and people are heading out to the beaches, relaxing, and building sandcastles! You’ve probably noticed that granular materials such as sand and even mixed nuts act in very strange ways! Why? And what’s the perfect way to take these granular materials into our control for us to use in everyday life? What’s the perfect way to build a sandcastle, according to science? In this episode, I will be speaking with Mr. David Meer, a graduate student in Physics at Emory University, about granular physics, his research, and the science of sandcastles.

Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

Check out the paper Mr. Meer published with the Weeks Lab here! (https://physics.emory.edu/faculty/weeks/lab/papers/meerrcp.pdf)

Earth’s moon is the spotlight of the night sky. It’s been Earth’s best friend for over 4 billion years. How did the Moon form in the first place? What theories do scientists have about the Moon and how it formed? In this episode, I will take you into the story of how the Moon formed, why humans are exploring the Moon, and more about Earth’s best friend!

Learn more about NASA’s Artemis Moon missions here! (https://nasa.gov/feature/artemis/)

Here’s an article! It is called “How Moons Form!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/06/how-moons-form/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “How Did The Moon Form? Activity” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/06/moon-formation-activity/)

Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons has been getting a lot of attention. In fact, NASA is sending a mission to Europa, known as the Europa Clipper in late 2024 to find out more about this special moon! Why do scientists want to investigate Europa and what does this have to do with searching for life on Europa? In this episode, I will blast you off into the science of Europa, and the search for life on Jupiter’s moon.

Here’s an article! It is called “All About Europa!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/06/all-about-europa/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “Draw The Surface of Europa!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/06/draw-the-surface-of-europa-activity/)

Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

Sound! It is all around us. We all know how sounds travel in air, but what about water? You’ve probably noticed sounds underwater when swimming at the pool or at the beach. Things sound louder and more defined, and it is very interesting to experience. Does sound travel differently through water? What is the science behind it? In this episode, I will take you behind the science of sound, water, and what happens as sound travels through water.

Here’s an article! It is called “How We Hear Sounds!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/06/how-we-hear-sounds/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “Hearing Sounds Underwater! Activity” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/06/hearing-sounds-underwater-activity/)

Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!