Spectacular Science

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!

The color red is everywhere! But, have you noticed that most warning lights are red? Fire truck sirens, airplanes, brake lights, traffic lights, and even on top of skyscrapers! Why is the color red used in warning lights and what is the science behind it? In this episode, I will take you behind the science of the color red and why it is used as warning lights.

Here’s an article! It is called “What is Light?” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/05/what-is-light-article/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “Mixing Colored Lights Activity!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/05/mixing-colored-lights-activity/)

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

One of the most identifiable features of the Moon are its millions of craters, formed by collisions in space. Why does the Moon have so many craters though? Is there a reason why? In this episode, I blast off to explore the science of the Moon, craters, and answering the question of why it has so many craters.

Here’s an article! It is called “How Do Moons Form?” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/05/how-do-moons-form/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “Make Your Own Craters! Activity” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/05/make-your-own-craters-activity/)

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

Last Friday, May 10th, people from around the US, Canada, and Europe looked to the skies to see something amazing. The Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, was putting on a show. It wasn’t just another aurora, but this one was visible in places such as Georgia, Florida, and New York! How did the Northern Lights come this far down south? In this episode, I will be taking you into the science of solar storms, and go this rare phenomenon happened.

Here’s an article! It is called “How Auroras Happen!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/05/how-auroras-happen/)

Here’s an activity! It is called “Auroras – Labelling Worksheet Activity” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/05/auroras-labelling-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!