STEM with Dr. Owl

By Orbital OwlKids & Family Education for Kids

STEM with Dr. Owl episodes

July 27 How Do Glasses Work? – Optics & Physics for Kids
Kids will learn the physics of light, how the human eye works, and what refraction means as they discover the science behind lenses. Join Emma, Dr. Owl, and Ziggy the Robot as they explore why putting on the wrong glasses makes everything blurry and how microscopes reveal hidden details. From bending light with water to using a microscope's lenses like a relay race, this episode brings the invisible world into clear focus. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: 4-PS4-2 – Light and Vision
12 min
July 24 [Ziggy’s Mailbag] Why Is Grass Green & How Does Corn Grow? – Plant Science Q&A for Kids
Discover the plant biology behind roots, corn, moss, flowers, chlorophyll, and colorful fruits in this exciting mailbag episode! Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they rapidly answer listener questions about why some vegetables grow underground, how corn silks become kernels, why moss grows on trees, why grass is green, and how flowers and fruit pigments work.
14 min
July 22 Why Does Time Keep Going? – Physics & Clocks for Kids
Kids learn what time is, how clocks measure repeating patterns, and why physics gives time a one-way direction. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they investigate sundials, melting ice, the arrow of time, and even Einstein’s surprising discovery about gravity and time.
Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ESS1.A – Patterns in the Sun and Sky
13 min
July 20 How Does a Submarine Dive? – Buoyancy & Physics for Kids
Discover the physics of buoyancy, water displacement, and how heavy metal objects can float in this exciting underwater adventure. Join Emma, Dr. Owl, and Ziggy the Robot as they explore the secrets of ballast tanks, neutral buoyancy, and compressed air, plus stick around until the very end for a secret, high-energy hyperpop song about submarines! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: PS2.A – Forces and Motion
12 min
July 17 [Replay] Who Lives the Longest on Earth? – Biology & Animal Science for Kids
Discover the fascinating world of animal biology as we explore creatures that can outlive humans by hundreds of years. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they dive into the science of aging to uncover the secrets of 500-year-old sharks, ancient clams, and a jellyfish that can press the restart button on its own life! It's a time-traveling journey to meet the oldest animals on our planet. Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS1.B – Growth and Development of Organisms
12 min
July 15 [Replay] Why Doesn't Plastic Rot? – Chemistry & Environmental Science for Kids
In this episode, kids will learn the foundational chemistry of plastic molecules and the environmental science behind why plastic takes hundreds of years to break down. Join Dr. Owl, Curious Emma, and a very confused robot named Ziggy as they discover the sneaky "LEGO chains" that make up our everyday lunchboxes! Plus, play along with our interactive trivia to find out how small choices can help protect our oceans and wildlife. Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: 5-ESS3.C – Human Impacts on Earth Systems
11 min
July 13 [Replay] How Do Animals Get Their Names? – Biology & Taxonomy for Kids
🐾 Kids will learn the fundamentals of biology, animal classification, and the scientific naming system known as binomial nomenclature in this fun-filled episode! Discover why a mountain lion and a puma are the exact same cat, and find out the hilarious meanings behind the names of famous dinosaurs and silly insects. Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode.
12 min
July 10 [Replay] How Can Gems Grow? – Geology & Crystals for Kids
Crystals grow from cooling magma and mineral-rich water using invisible building blocks called atoms. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy on a subterranean adventure from the glowing Earth's mantle to a secret dripping cave to solve the mystery of the "lava smoothie." You’ll even learn how to build your own crystals at home using simple kitchen ingredients!
Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ESS2.A – Earth Materials and Systems
12 min
July 08 [Replay] How Do Microwaves Cook Food? – Physics & Energy for Kids
Learn how microwave ovens use invisible electromagnetic waves to vibrate water molecules and create heat. Join Dr. Owl, curious Emma, and Ziggy the Robot as they discover why soup gets hot faster than crackers and why metal causes sparks inside the oven.
Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode.
Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: PS4.B – Electromagnetic Radiation & Heat Transfer
12 min
July 06 [Replay] How Does a 3D Printer Work?
🖨️ Oh no! Ziggy broke his space helmet latch right before a mission! Join Dr. Owl and Emma as they fire up the lab's 3D printer to save the day. We’ll discover how these amazing machines act like robotic hot glue guns to build objects layer by layer—just like frosting a cake! 🍰
Parents, want to keep the learning going? Sign up for our email list to get useful science materials and activity sheets at orbitalowl.com!
Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ETS1.B – Developing Possible Solutions.
14 min