STEM with Dr. Owl

Learn the amazing biology and biomimicry behind how geckos, spiders, and tree frogs climb up walls without falling down! Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy shrink down to the microscopic level to explore dry molecular hugs, super-strong spider silk, and self-cleaning sticky frog toes. Discover how human scientists are copying nature's coolest tricks to invent things like gecko tape for space ninja lizard robots! 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: 1-LS1-1 – Structure and Function (Biomimicry)

Learn the fascinating materials science and physics behind adhesives, tape, and stretchy toys! Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy investigate microscopic bumps and sticky bonds to find out why duct tape is super strong, why Post-it notes are reusable, and how squishy sticky hands hold onto windows. Plus, find out why dust is the ultimate enemy of stickiness, and hear the amazing true story of how astronauts used duct tape on the Moon! 

Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: 2-PS1-2 – Structure and Properties of Matter

Discover the future of space exploration, lunar habitats, and rocket fuel made from ice in this exciting astronomy adventure. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they learn what NASA has planned for Artemis III and find out why the Moon is the ultimate practice field for a human trip to Mars! 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: ESS1.B – Earth and the Solar System

Learn the fundamental physics of motion, how engines transfer energy, and the mechanics of aerodynamics in this fast-paced episode. Listen as Emma, Dr. Owl, and Ziggy investigate a listener's question about the hidden systems that make vehicles drive, why engines desperately need oil to fight friction, and the clever design secrets that make race cars incredibly fast. Plus, find out why Ziggy's plan to use peanut butter to fix a squeak might be a hilarious disaster!

Kids will learn exactly how astronauts eat, sleep, and safely use the bathroom in the microgravity environment of the Orion spacecraft. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy the Robot as they discover why floating pizza crumbs are a serious hazard and how a space toilet acts just like a vacuum cleaner. 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: ESS1.B – Earth and the Solar System

Kids will learn how the Artemis II spacecraft safely traveled around the Moon and back to Earth without ever landing. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy the Robot as they discover why this incredible test flight is a massive step toward future space exploration and trips to Mars. 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: ESS1.B – Earth and the Solar System

Learn how the human nervous system works and why feeling pain is actually the body's helpful fire alarm. Discover the super-speedy message wires that travel over 200 miles per hour straight to the brain, and find out exactly how medicines like Tylenol act like earmuffs to turn down the "ouch" volume! 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.D – Information Processing

🐾 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. 

Kids will learn about the different zones of the ocean, underwater geography like the continental shelf and the Mariana Trench, and the unique adaptations of deep-sea creatures. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they board a special science submarine and travel from the sunny beach all the way to the darkest depths of the sea! Discover giant underwater mountains, glowing anglerfish, and find out if Mount Everest could fit at the bottom of the ocean. 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: ESS2.A – Earth Materials and Systems

Discover the fascinating earth science and geology behind how giant mountains and rocks break down to create the sand on our beaches. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy the robot as they explore the slow but powerful process of weathering, from ice karate-chopping boulders to rivers acting like giant rock blenders. You will even learn why some sand is pink and why you might be stepping on ancient dinosaur crumbs! 

Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ESS2.A – Earth Materials and Systems (Weathering)