Spectacular Science

What is the toughest animal on Earth? You may think that it is the cheetah or the blue whale, but your have to think small! Very small, even microscopic. The tardigrade is a microorganism that can survive in extreme environments, even space! How can they do this? In this episode, Akshay takes you on a deep dive into the science of tardigrades, the toughest animals on Earth.

Please support this podcast by subscribing wherever you are listening right now! It really encourages me to keep making new episodes and also supports the show. Thanks!

Here is an article! It is called “How Tardigrades Survive in Extreme Conditions”. (https://spectacularsci.com/how-tardigrades-survive-in-extreme-conditions/)

Here is an activity! It is called “Tardigrade Survival Discovery Quest”. (https://spectacularsci.com/tardigrade-survival-discovery-quest/)

Black holes are one of the most mysterious things in the universe. We know that they exist, but we don’t know what is inside of them. But, even what are black holes and how are they formed? In this episode, Akshay goes stargazing with his brand new telescope and wonders about black holes. Akshay takes you on a deep dive into the science of black holes.

Please support this podcast by subscribing wherever you are listening right now! It really encourages me to keep making new episodes and also supports the show. Thanks!

Here is an article! It is called “How Are Black Holes Formed”. (https://spectacularsci.com/2023/01/how-are-black-holes-formed/)

Here is an activity! It is called “Model The Formation of a Black Hole”.(https://spectacularsci.com/model-formation-black-hole/)

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s a flying fish! A fish that flies may seem like an animal out of a story, but they are actually a group of fish! Flying fish are amazing creatures. How are they able to fly or glide over the water and why do they do this? In this episode, Akshay takes a deep dive into the ocean to find out how flying fish are able to what other fish can’t do!

Please support this podcast by subscribing wherever you are listening right now! It really encourages me to keep making new episodes and also supports the show. Thanks!

Here is an article! It is called “What Are Flying Fish?” (https://spectacularsci.com/what-are-flying-fish/)

Here is an activity! It is called “Glide Like A Flying Fish”. (https://spectacularsci.com/glide-like-a-flying-fish/)

Teeth! Your amazing pearly whites! We use them everyday to eat and to smile. But what are teeth made of and why is brushing and flossing them important? Akshay goes to the dentist for his check up and talks to Dr. Ami Desai, a dentist at Family Dentistry and Orthodontics. In this episode, you will learn a lot more about your teeth!

Sign up for the free Spectacular Science Membership where you can get bonus episodes, activities, and the Fact of the Day. Sign up at https://spectacularsci.com/membership.

Concrete is all around you! The sidewalks, roads, houses, and even skyscrapers! It plays a huge role in your everyday life. But, how is concrete made and how is it used? In this episode, Akshay takes you into a deep dive into the science of concrete!

Sign up for the free Spectacular Science Membership where you can get bonus episodes, activities, and the Fact of the Day. Sign up at https://spectacularsci.com/membership.

Here is an article! It is called “Are Cement and Concrete the Same Thing” .(https://spectacularsci.com/2021/04/are-cement-and-concrete-the-same-thing/)

Here is an activity! It is called “Concrete All Around You”. (https://spectacularsci.com/concrete-all-around-you/)

Hummingbirds are small birds, but they are the masters of flight. These tiny birds have adapted special ways for them to fly fast and in different directions quickly. In this episode, Akshay explores the science of hummingbirds and how they have specially adapted wings that help them fly fast and even backwards!

Sign up for the free Spectacular Science Membership where you can get bonus episodes, activities, and the Fact of the Day. Sign up at https://spectacularsci.com/membership.

Here is an article! It is called “Why Do Hummingbirds Hover”. (https://spectacularsci.com/2022/06/why-do-hummingbirds-hover/)

Here is an activity! It is called “The Hummingbird Wing Flap Challenge”. (https://spectacularsci.com/the-hummingbird-wing-flap-challenge/)

If you listen to this podcast or music, you probably use a speaker! Speakers come in all shapes and sizes, from being in giant movie theaters to fitting inside of your phone. But, how do speakers work to produce sound from electrical signals? In this episode, Akshay explores the science behind simple speakers and explains how they work. Get ready, because this is going to be a journey through sound!

Sign up for the free Spectacular Science Membership where you can get bonus episodes, activities, and the Fact of the Day. Sign up at https://spectacularsci.com/membership.

Here is an article! It is called “How Speakers Work”. (https://spectacularsci.com/how-speakers-work/)

Here is an activity! It is called “Draw a Speaker Diagram”. (https://spectacularsci.com/draw-a-speaker-diagram/)

Look up in the night sky on a clear night. What catches your eye first? The Moon! The Moon is Earth’s best friend. We will all recognize it when we see it. But, what is the Moon, what is it made out of and why are missions such as NASA’s Artemis Mission being sent to the Moon? In this episode, Akshay takes you on a deep space voyage to discover the science of the Moon!

Sign up for the free Spectacular Science Membership where you can get bonus episodes, activities, and the Fact of the Day. Sign up at https://spectacularsci.com/membership.

Here is an article! It is called “The Formation of the Moon”. (https://spectacularsci.com/the-formation-of-the-moon/)

Here is an activity! It is called “Observe the Moon’s Phases”. (https://spectacularsci.com/observe-the-moons-phases/)

Auroras! They are known as the “greatest light show on Earth”. These natural colored light shows happen near the North and South pole. But, how do these spectacular events happen and what is the science behind that? In this episode, Akshay takes you on a deep dive into the science of auroras.

Sign up for the free Spectacular Science Membership where you can get bonus episodes, activities, and the Fact of the Day. Sign up at https://spectacularsci.com/membership.

Here is an article! It is called “Auroras”. (https://spectacularsci.com/auroras/)

Here is an activity! It is called “Auroras on Other Planets Discovery Quest”. (https://spectacularsci.com/auroras-on-other-planets-discovery-quest/)

There is no Oxygen on Mars. The thin Martian atmosphere is only made out of Carbon dioxide. How will we send humans and rockets to space without the Oxygen that they need? MOXIE, a machine aboard NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover helps with that! This amazing technology turns Carbon dioxide into Oxygen and is working as you are reading this page right now! But, what is it, how does it work, and why is it important for future space exploration. Akshay speaks with Mr. Shravan Hariharan, a graduate student researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) about this revolutionary technology.