Spectacular Science

Modern-day chickens are actually distantly related to the t-rex, a ferocious dinosaur that lived millions of years ago! In fact, modern-day birds are related to ancient dinosaurs! They look different, but really they are related. How is this possible? In this episode, I take you into the science of dinosaurs, birds, evolution, and how they are distantly related.

Here’s an article! It is called “How Earth Supports Diverse Life” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/11/how-earth-supports-diverse-life/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “Animal Family Trees! Activity” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/11/animal-family-trees-activity/)

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

Life has always been a mystery. The building blocks, origins, and more are some of the biggest questions in science! The Miller-Urey experiment, conducted in 1952-53, changed our understanding of how life came about and got us one step closer to finding the true answer! What was the Miller-Urey experiment and what the scientists find? In this episode, I will explain this groundbreaking experiment, its results, and what is tells us about the origin of life.

Here’s an article! It is called “What Cells Are – Explained” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/10/cells-explained-article/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “Miller-Urey Experiment Diagram Worksheet!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/10/miller-urey-diagram-worksheet/)

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

Even though you can’t see it, space junk orbiting around the Earth is a very big problem. But what exactly is it, how much of it is circling the Earth, and what are scientists doing to tackle this problem? In this episode, I will take you into the science of space debris and uncover what is really is, and the things scientists are doing to make sure space is safe.

Here’s an article! It is called “What Is Low Earth Orbit?” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/10/what-is-low-earth-orbit/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “The Solution to Space Junk!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/10/solution-to-space-junk-activity/)

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

Calories are listed everywhere. On food packages, nutrition plans, and more! What is a calorie exactly and what does it really mean for our body? Why is consuming a certain amount of calories important? What role does it play in our everyday lives? In this episode, I will take you into the science of energy, how it is harnessed by our bodies, and what a calorie really measures.

Here’s an article! It is called “What is Cellular Respiration Process?” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/10/what-is-cellular-respiration-process/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “Calories Scavenger Hunt!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/10/calories-scavenger-hunt/)

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

Glaciers! These giant “rivers of ice” are mind-blowing and fascinating to learn about. How are glaciers changing on Earth and how is that tied to climate change? In this episode, I will be speaking with Neosha Narayanan. Neosha studies glaciers and ice sheets at Georgia Tech and is a glaciology PhD student. In this episode, we will learn about the science of glaciers, why they’re important, and how they are changing in our actively changing world.

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

Mitochondria! Also known as the “powerhouse of the cell”. It is the energy-producing organelle inside cells. How did this important part of cells originate? It’s not what you think! In this episode, I will take you into the science of cells, organelles, mitochondria, and break down the endosymbiotic theory. We will go back millions of years and take a look at the science that shaped us into the life we see on Earth today.

Here’s an article! It is called “What is ATP?” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/10/what-is-atp-article/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “Cellular Respiration Worksheet” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/10/cellular-respiration-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!

The North Star, also known as Polaris, has been a huge part of human culture, navigation, and a signature part of the sky. It’s so special because it is aligned with Earth’s axis, meaning that it will always point north! But, recently, scientists have imaged the surface of Polaris, revealing many interesting things about this star! What have these scientists discovered and how are they able to do this? In this episode, I will be speaking with Dr. Gail Schaefer. Dr. Schaefer is the director of GSU’s CHARA Array at Mount Wilson Observatory in California.

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

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!

Episode artwork background image credit: NPS / Jacob W. Frank

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!