Thanksgiving Road Trip - Making a Difference · Tumble Science Podcast for Kids

About the show

Exploring scientific discoveries with real scientists, in English and Spanish, for curious kids and their grown-ups.

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Explore all the amazing stories of scientific discovery with the help of real-life scientists and STEM experts. With episodes in English and Spanish, the Tumble Science podcast will have kids (and grown ups!) looking deeper, asking why, and embracing the process of discovery!

Fast Facts

Audience: Ages 5–12
Network: Tumble Media
Format: Listen in any order
Typical length: 19 min
Episodes: 305
Seasons: 12 seasons
Topics: Education For Kids

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Episodes

305 episodes

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Featured episode

Thanksgiving Road Trip - Making a Difference

50 min

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The Mystery of the Barton Springs Salamander with Dr. Hayley Gillespie

19 min 24 February 2015

Dr. Hayley Gillespie, an ecologist, tells us how she cracked the case of the Barton Springs Salamander's mysterious meals. Music by YACHT, courtesy of the Free Music Archive and Creative Commons. Photo courtesy of Dr. Hayley Gillespie.
The Case of the Missing Brains with Dr. Rachel Berman

15 min 24 February 2015

One man's very, very unfortunate accident made him one of the most famous patients of all time. Dr. Rachel Berman shares the story of how this man helped scientists figure out what the brain does. Music in this episode is by Podington Bear. Photo of Phineas Gage from the collection of Jack and Beverly Wilgus.
The Quest for the Hidden Planets with Dr. Joel Green

14 min 10 April 2015

Science fiction is full of adventures to distant planets outside our solar system. But it wasn't until 20 years ago that astronomers were able to confirm that they exist. Dr. Joel Green explains how astronomers discover and photograph planets in galaxies far, far away. Music in this episode is by Podington Bear.
The Night Of The Decoy Spider with Joe Hanson

16 min 26 April 2015

What does the moment of discovery sound like? In this episode, Joe Hanson of It's Okay to Be Smart shares the story of a fellow YouTuber who stumbles upon an incredible new species while filming in the Peruvian rainforest. Music in this episode is by Broke For Free. Video still is from from Smarter Every Day.
The Tale Of The Giant Toad with Sheril Kirshenbaum

17 min 14 May 2015

When a tiny beetle starts destroying farmers' fields in Australia, scientists decide to bring in a giant toad to bite back. But they never predicted what would happen next. In this episode, science writer Sheril Kirshenbaum tells a story of science gone wild. Music in this episode is by Podington Bear.
The Mystery of the Exploding Star with Jeffrey Silverman

13 min 16 July 2015

A mystery that began with an unusual star spotted in the year 1054 took almost a thousand years to solve. In this episode, supernova expert Jeffrey Silverman explains how astronomers cracked the case and discovered what happened in the ancient night sky. Hint: It involves a massive explosion. Music by Podington Bear and Broke For Free.
The Case of the Living Dinosaurs with Riley Black

15 min 3 September 2015

Dinosaurs never went extinct. They're living in our backyards. How did scientists discover that birds are secretly dinosaurs? Science writer Riley Black tells us how some suspicious fuzz on a farmer's fossil find cracked open the biggest case in dinosaur paleontology. Note, Riley Black is referred to in this episode as Brian Switek. Music in this episode by Podington Bear, Noveller, and Johnny the Ripper, courtesy of the Free Music Archive.
The Tale of The Brain Scoop with Emily Graslie

12 min 19 October 2015

Emily Graslie, host of the YouTube science show The Brain Scoop, explains how an encounter with a dead mouse at a natural history museum steered her toward one of the most important discoveries of her life. (This episode contains references to preserving dead animals.) Music in this episode is by Podington Bear. Brain Scoop clips used with permission
The Secret of Dark Energy with Jeff Silverman

13 min 16 November 2015

No one knows what dark energy is or why it exists. So how did astronomers discover the mysterious force that's pulling the universe apart? Astronomer Jeff Silverman explains one of the universe's biggest mysteries. Learn more at www.tumblepodcast.com!
[UPDATE] The Night of the Decoy Spider with Joe Hanson

12 min 16 December 2015

[Now, with new information on decoy spider research!] One dark night in the Amazon, three guys stumble face first into a new discovery - and capture it all on video. Joe Hanson, from It's Okay to Be Smart, tells the story. Music in this episode by Broke for Free.
The World Without Parasites with Carl Zimmer

14 min 6 January 2016

What would the world be like if there were no parasites? You might actually miss those mind-controlling blood suckers. Science writer Carl Zimmer tells us how scientists are discovering the hidden importance of parasites' dirty work.
The Tale of the Bacteria Farmer with Sarah Richardson

14 min 10 February 2016

Sarah Richardson, a biologist, dreams of being of a farmer. Instead of tending to barns full of cows making milk, she'll have petri dishes full of bacteria. They'll be making a brand new kind of fuel that could replace gas we put in our cars. But just like the first human to milk a cow, Sarah has a difficult job to do. In this episode, she explains how she's trying to convince bacteria to make the things we need - but will they listen? Learn more about Sarah's story at www.tumblepodcast.com, and sign up for our weekly kid-friendly podcast recommendation newsletter.
The Cave of the Upside Down Bat with Micaela Jemison

16 min 2 March 2016

Why do bats hang upside down? That's what fifth graders living in the Bat Capital of the World - Austin, Texas - want to know. We visit Micaela Jemison at the world headquarters of Bat Conservation International to figure out why bats have such weird sleep habits. Plus, why would bats walk on treadmills? They're mysterious creatures. This is the first in a series of shows featuring kids' questions. We want to hear what you think! Email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com, message us on Facebook, and tweet us on Twitter. Send us your bat t-shirt designs and we'll share them!
The Puzzle of the Friendly Dog with Mia Cobb and Krista Macpherson

15 min 17 March 2016

What makes dogs loyal? This question comes from Amalia, a sixth grade student. We ask two different dog scientists, and their answers will surprise you. We learn about an experiment that tests dogs’ loyalty - or does it? Get ready to get inside the head of a dog! We want to hear about your dogs! Email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com, visit us at tumblepodcast.com, and like us on Facebook. Photo courtesy of Mia Cobb.
The Quest for the Edge of the Universe with Katie Mack

13 min 30 March 2016

Does the universe go on forever? Or does it have an edge? Jack and Kate have a few ideas about how to find out, involving a GoPro and a rocket. We ask astrophysicist Katie Mack if the universe is infinite and if a robot explorer will ever send us a selfie from the very edge of its expansion. Her answer will boggle your mind. Visit tumblepodcast.com to learn more!
The Adventure of The Explorers Club with Richard Garriott

13 min 13 April 2016

We take you inside the famed Explorers Club in New York City, where we meet a real explorer! Richard Garriott de Cayeux has been around the world and into space on scientific expeditions. He shares the stories of famous explorers and his own family expeditions – beginning with his astronaut dad. Plus, he explains on how to find a real meteorite near your house! If you want to see some of the amazing collections of Explorer’s Club history, watch video tours on our blog at http://www.tumblepodcast.com We’re looking for your questions for ocean explorer Gaelin Rosenwaks. Send a recording of your question to tumblepodcast@gmail.com by April 26, 2016. Love our show? Leave us a review on iTunes!
The Mystery of When Brains and Sports Collide with Kiki Sanford

14 min 4 May 2016

What happens to your brain when you get a concussion? It's common to get hit in the head when you play rough or risky sports. Everyone knows a concussion makes you woozy for a while. But the impacts of repeated concussions can last much longer. Learn how American football players have helped scientists unravel a mystery that could change the way that sports are played. With Dr. Kiki Sanford, host of the wonderful podcast This Week in Science. We want to see your ideas about how to keep your brain safe while playing sports or walking down the street! Email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com. Enjoy the show? Rate us on iTunes,
The Hunt for Black Holes with Karl Gebhardt

16 min 18 May 2016

How do black holes work? And how do we learn about them, if they're impossible to see? We talk to Dr. Karl Gebhardt, who has helped discover over half of the black holes that astronomers have ever found. Light cannot escape from a black hole, which means that they are impossible to see. We find out the secret to finding black holes, and how what happens inside might explain mysteries of gravity. Astronomy adventures are ahead in this episode! Music in this episode is by Secret Agent 23 Skidoo from his upcoming album, Infinity Plus One. Ask us a question, listen to more episodes, and donate at tumblepodcast.com.
The Journey to the Deepest Part of the Ocean with Gaelin Rosenwaks

15 min 1 June 2016

Where is the deepest part of the ocean, and have we been there in person? Ocean explorer Gaelin Rosenwaks answers with an amazing story of the first explorers to dive to a mysterious place called Challenger Deep. It's filled with awesome adventure, incredible risk, and awe-inspiring reward. This is a journey that changed the way we understand the ocean. Love Tumble? Leave us a review on iTunes! Want to be on the show? Send us a question! Record yourself asking the question, and tell us what you think the answer is and how scientists might find the answer. Would you support Tumble? Donate on our website,
The Case of the Invisibility Cloak with Andrea Alu

16 min 17 June 2016

What are invisibility cloaks made of, and when can we buy them in gift shops? That's right, invisibility cloaks are not just for wizards anymore. We get into the very real science of invisibility with Dr. Andrea Alu. Dr. Alu is one of the leading scientists working on "cloaking." We learn how scientists are playing with the laws of physics and optics to turn fantasy into scientific reality. Have a question for Tumble? Send us a recording with your name, age, question, what you think the answer is, and how scientists might find out. Email it to tumblepodcast@gmail.com! If you love Tumble,
The Voyage of the Ocean Trash with Jenni Brandon

16 min 1 July 2016

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a vast, swirling soup of trash, twice the size of Texas. Can we ever clean it up? That’s what 8 year old Ila wants to know. She lives in Hawaii and likes to pick up trash whenever she goes to the beach. She lives closer to the garbage patch than most of us. We talk to Jenni Brandon, a researcher who has been to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch - a place where few people will visit, but where we all have an impact. She tells us how surreal it is to sail through trash, why the garbage patch exists, and what scientists are doing about it. To find out more, visit tumblepodcast.com Marine debris photo courtesy of Jenni Brandon.
The Tale of Darwin and the Beagle with Áki Jarl Láruson

10 min 15 July 2016

We have a short and sweet summer episode for you! Charles Darwin is known as the father of evolution, but he got his start as a naturalist as a young man. He took an ambitious five year journey around the year, studying thousands of species of plants and animals. Many years after his return to England, he wrote The Origin of Species, one of the most famous and influential scientific books ever written. Áki Jarl Láruson tells the story, at a meeting of evolutionary biologists in Austin, Texas. Learn more at tumblepodcast.com Have you answered our listener survey? Help shape the future of Tumble at bit.ly/tumblesurvey
The Code of the Flashing Firefly with Sara Lewis

14 min 29 July 2016

Why do fireflies flash their lights on and off, on and off? That’s what four curious kids want to know. Biologist Sara Lewis has studied fireflies for decades, and she’s cracked the code of their spectacular light displays. She explains why fireflies light up at night with a story of an undercover experiment. Sara tells us how she “spoke firefly” and learned that female fireflies are surprisingly hard to please. To learn more about fireflies, see Sara’s website and book at www.silentsparks.com. We're proud that Tumble is a free podcast! But we need your support to keep it going and growing. We’ve launched a Patreon campaign to offer you awesome rewards in exchange for a monthly pledge! Find out what our next episode is about in advance, get notified of opportunities to be on the show, receive exclusive educational content and so much more. Find the link on our website, www.tumblepodcast.com. Subscribe and review Tumble on iTunes, like us on Facebook, and
The Meow of the Misunderstood Cat with Brains On

14 min 13 August 2016

Are cats evil, or just misunderstood? That's what our friends at Brains On debate for a panel of kid judges. Find out what they decide in this special guest episode! Plus, Lindsay and Marshall weigh in on their conclusions. What do you want to know about cats? Let us know on our Facebook or Twitter pages, or email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com. Support Tumble on Patreon, and you can have your name read on the show (and get more great stuff!) Pledge at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.
The Tale of How Ants Conquered the Earth with Corrie Moreau

14 min 26 August 2016

Why are there so many different species of ants? That’s what entomologist Corrie Moreau wants to know. There are more species of ants than there are species of mammals and birds - combined! Her quest starts in the jungle and ends in a lab, where she unravels the story of ants conquering the earth. Plus, listeners tell us what THEY know about ants! Take Corrie’s advice: Get outside and play with bugs! Then tell us about it. What did you see and observe? Take photos and make drawings. Email them to us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com
The Charge of the Everlasting Battery with Mya Le Thai

16 min 12 September 2016

Why do batteries - even rechargeable ones - die? What if there was a battery that lasted forever? Mya Le Thai, a young scientist, was sick of recharging her phone. So she set out make make a longer lasting battery. What she created was better than she had ever thought possible - a battery that won’t die. It lasts 100 times longer than the typical phone battery. Find out what goes on inside a battery, and how Mya came to her eureka moment. Tell us what you would do with a battery that lasts forever! Email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com
The Journey to the Deepest Part of the Ocean with Gaelin Rosenwaks [ENCORE]

16 min 23 September 2016

Where is the deepest part of the ocean, and have we been there in person? Ocean explorer Gaelin Rosenwaks answers with an amazing story of the first explorers to dive to a mysterious place called Challenger Deep. It's filled with awesome adventure, incredible risk, and awe-inspiring reward. This is a journey that changed the way we understand the ocean. We're working on a bunch of exciting new stuff for you this week, so we are re-playing one of our favorite episodes. Love Tumble?
The Tale of the Bacteria Farmer with Sarah Richardson [ENCORE]

14 min 7 October 2016

Sarah Richardson, a biologist, dreams of being of a farmer. Instead of tending to barns full of cows making milk, she'll have petri dishes full of bacteria. We're taking a break until 2017 to create more stories of science discovery. But we're not going away! Far from it. We'll be hard at work dreaming and making new awesome stuff for you. Stay in touch with us by Facebook, Twitter, and tumblepodcast.com, where you can send us questions, comments, drawings, and videos! This is a great time to show your support for our new season by pledging on Patreon: patreon.com/tumblepodcast Subscribe & leave a review on iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tumble-podcast/id984771479 Thanks for listening!
How to Interview a Scientist [BONUS EPISODE]

14 min 19 October 2016

Send us your interviews with scientists, and they might end up on our show! In this special bonus episode, we'll teach you how to interview a scientist. It's easier than you might think, and it's super fun. You might learn something that changes your life, or at least your outlook on science! Plus, our listener Vida finds out for us if you can send a robot into a black hole. Check out our blog on www.tumblepodcast.com for step-by-step instructions on how to interview a scientist, with expanded tips and resources. Send your interviews to us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com Don't forget to tell your friends about Tumble, write a review on iTunes, and
The Hunt for Black Holes with Karl Gebhardt [ENCORE]

17 min 21 October 2016

A fan favorite episode, now with new black hole discoveries! We answer our first listener question, how do black holes work? We talk to Dr. Karl Gebhardt, who has helped discover over half of the black holes that astronomers have ever found. Light cannot escape from a black hole, which means that they are impossible to see. We find out the secret to finding black holes, and how what happens inside might explain mysteries of gravity. Astronomy adventures are ahead in this episode! Music in this episode is by Secret Agent 23 Skidoo from his newest album, Infinity Plus One. Ask us a question, listen to more episodes, and donate at tumblepodcast.com.
The Laboratory of the Haunted House with Margee Kerr

15 min 31 October 2016

Why do people get scared and how? We ask Dr. Margee Kerr, a scientist who studies the science of fear. She once set up a basement lab in a Halloween haunted house to understand why people sign up to get scared. She found out that going to a house of horror is actually a lot like doing yoga! Find out why, and how to scare a scientist. Correction: On this episode, we referred to the woman in Sebastin's recording as his mom. She is his step-mom. Ask us a question, listen to more episodes, and donate at tumblepodcast.com.
The Puzzle of the Friendly Dog with Mia Cobb and Krista McPherson [ENCORE]

17 min 4 November 2016

What makes dogs loyal? This question comes from Amalia, a sixth grade student. We ask two different dog scientists, and their answers will surprise you. We learn about an experiment that tests dogs’ loyalty - or does it? Get ready to get inside the head of a dog! We want to hear about your dogs! Ask us a question, listen to more episodes, and donate at tumblepodcast.com.
The Quest for the Hidden Planets with Joel Green [ENCORE]

16 min 18 November 2016

Our listener Griffin picked an exciting tale of outer space for this week's episode! Astronomer Joel Green explains how scientists discover and photograph planets outside our solar system. Have a few spare minutes? Fill out our listener survey at wondery.com/survey. Ask us a question, listen to more episodes, and donate at tumblepodcast.com.
The Case of the Invisibility Cloak with Andrea Alu [ENCORE]

18 min 2 December 2016

Invisibility cloaks: Not just for wizards? Listener Quinn introduces his favorite Tumble episode, where we explore the very real science behind invisibility! Tumble t-shirts are now available in kid's, men's, and women's sizes. Get yours at sciencepodcastforkids.com/shop! Is Tumble a part of your daily routine? Show your love by pledging to our Patreon at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Lastly, we could use your help with an audience survey for our partner, Wondery! Go to wondery.com/survey and answer a couple quick questions about your listening habits. We'll be forever grateful to your anonymous contribution!
The Secrets of Bugs and Bats [BONUS EPISODE]

12 min 9 December 2016

In this special bonus episode, some of our favorite guest scientists answer listener questions! It’s like a Tumble reunion! Learn about the bugs you can find near your home, how ants let each other know about food finds, and if bats fly at night so they can eat more bugs. Thanks to Paloma, Liesel, and Bella for your questions! We still have a few “encore shows” left to play while we get ready for the new season. You might have noticed we’ve had listeners introduce their favorite shows. Next week, that could be you! Send us a recording telling us your favorite episode and why you like it, to tumblepodcast@gmail.com. Or upload your recording to the "Contact" form on our website at www.sciencepodcastforkids.com. Tumble has a few holiday shopping tips for you. First, don't procrastinate. Second, don't go to the mall. It is crazy there. Instead, go to seedling.com and order their fantastic activity kits, then use the code TUMBLE at checkout for $10 off a $30 purchase! So much better than going to the mall. Third, get a brand new Tumble tee, sent to you by Marshall's mom, at our website for only $19.50! sciencepodcastforkids.com/shop As always, we appreciate reviews on iTunes and emails! We read and respond to every single one. Lastly, we need your help with an audience survey for our partner, Wondery! Go to wondery.com/survey and answer a couple quick questions about your listening habits. We'll be forever grateful to your anonymous contribution!
The Voyage of the Ocean Trash with Jenni Brandon [ENCORE]

19 min 16 December 2016

Our friends Andrew & Polly from the podcast Ear Snacks introduce their favorite Tumble episode. Listener Ilya asks if there's a way to remove all the trash from the ocean. Scientist Jenni Brandon helps us investigate the Great Pacific Garbage Patch - a vast, swirling soup of trash, twice the size of Texas. Stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear how listeners suggested solving this huge environmental problem. Tumble t-shirts are now available in kid's, men's, and women's sizes. Get yours at sciencepodcastforkids.com/shop! Is Tumble a part of your daily routine? Show your love by pledging to our Patreon at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Lastly, we could use your help with an audience survey for our partner, Wondery! Go to wondery.com/survey and answer a couple quick questions about your listening habits. We'll be forever grateful to your anonymous contribution!
Season 2 Coming Soon!

2 min 6 January 2017

It's almost here! We've got brand new episodes of Tumble starting January 13. Here's a quick sample of what's to come. Subscribe now on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Have an Android? Try our partner Wondery's new app on Google Play!
Journey to the Center of the Earth with Ta-Shana Taylor

18 min 13 January 2017

What is the Earth made of? That’s the question at the core (pun intended!) of this episode. Geologist Ta-Shana Taylor shares the fascinating story behind a decades-long quest to drill into the Earth. You’ll be wanting to “Get Down to the Moho” after listening! Thanks to listeners Brody and Liam for sending in their questions. This is our first episode of Tumble, Season 2! We’ve got much more in store, including educational resources! Check out our blog at tumblepodcast.com and Patreon at patreon.com/tumblepodcast for additional information and a complete list of resources to stoke your curiosity! Like Tumble? Tell the world! Leave us a review on iTunes, Stitcher, or share on social media. Your enthusiasm means EVERYTHING to us - and helps more people discover our podcast! And don’t forget to fill out our partner survey for Wondery at wondery.com/survey. In this episode, we mentioned that we love Stories Podcast. Check them out, and our other friendcasts, at kidslisten.org. It’s an organization we started to advocate for more high quality children’s audio! #kidslisten
The Tower of the Vomiting Robot with Anna Rothschild

14 min 27 January 2017

We dive into the gross side of science with Anna Rothschild, host of the PBS/NOVA series Gross Science! Anna tells us how a robot named Vomiting Larry helped scientists discover how to stop the spread of a potentially deadly sickness. Plus, fourth graders tell us what they think is gross, and we learn why talking about poop can be important for your health. What do YOU think is gross? What does Vomiting Larry look like? Send your questions and drawings to tumblepodcast@gmail.com, or use our contact form on our website! Check out our blog post on this episode for kids, and a special lesson plan for teachers from Ms. Gustafson on our blog at www.sciencepodcastforkids.com.
The Secret Life of Your Shower with Noah Fierer

14 min 10 February 2017

Something is living in your showerhead. Scientists need your help to figure out what it is, and why it’s there. Biologist Noah Fierer is enlisting people around the country to search out the tiny, microscopic life in showers. Find out what happens when Lindsay and Marshall sign up as citizen scientists, and turn their bathroom into a lab. To find out more about the Showerhead Microbiome Project, visit http://robdunnlab.com/projects/showerheads For more citizen science projects you can participate in, check out https://scistarter.com More information about this episode on our blog at tumblepodcast.com For educational materials,
The People of the Snow with Kelly Elder

17 min 24 February 2017

The People of the Snow with Kelly Elder Why does it snow, where does it snow, and why are snowflakes not the same size or shape? We jump into a pile of snow questions, and find a very different kind of science in the snowy Arctic. Kelly Elder, a snow hydrologist, tells the story of how scientists work with the Inuit people to understand how snow is changing in a warming world. More information about this episode on our blog at tumblepodcast.com For an ad-free version of the podcast, educational materials, a Tumble t-shirt, and a shoutout on the show,
A Year on Mars with Sheyna Gifford

16 min 10 March 2017

What would you bring on a trip to Mars? That’s a question Sheyna Gifford had to ask herself when she packed to live on Mars for a year. Wait, what?! We find out about a NASA experiment on top of a volcano that’s getting astronauts prepared for a real-life mission to Mars. Learn how to apply for a trip to Mars - in sim or in space - on our blog at tumblepodcast.com This month, we are asking listeners to recommend podcasts to friends who have not yet discovered them! For #trypod, check out kidslisten.org/members for plenty of great podcasts for kids! For an ad-free version of the podcast, educational materials, a Tumble t-shirt, and a shoutout on the show,
The Case of the Whale Shark Party with Rafael de la Parra

18 min 24 March 2017

Imagine this: You’re in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico with a big fish on the line. But suddenly, you’re surrounded by whale sharks, the biggest fish in the world. What do you do?! If you’re a scientist, you get curious. Marine biologist Rafael de la Parra tells us how and why he got a headcount of the biggest whale shark party ever seen. We adopted a whale shark! Send your suggestions for MXA-130’s new name to tumblepodcast@gmail.com. Check out our blog to see photos of her, find out about her favorite hangs and hobbies, and learn how to adopt your own whale shark (with none of the hassle of living with one), at sciencepodcastforkids.com. Want an ad-free version of Tumble? It’s only $1 each month. Pledge on Patreon to get access to this special podcast feed, including Marshall’s original music. Don’t forget to share the magic of podcasts with someone you know. Tell us what you suggested by tagging @tumblecast on Twitter, and use the hashtag TRYPOD. For more kids podcasts, check out kidslisten.org/members. Let us know how you use Tumble. Send us your questions and drawings! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks for listening!
The Puzzle of the Flipping Cats with Greg Gbur

17 min 7 April 2017

Wonder why a cat always lands on its feet? It's a question that stumped scientists for over a hundred years. Some suspected that mischievous cats were breaking the laws of physics! Was it the catnip? Or was it a mystery of physics? Physicist Greg Gbur helps us break the case... with the first ever cat video. Check out the original flipping cat photos and film, as well as a video of cats weightless in zero gravity (!!) on our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com. You'll also find visual explanations from Greg Gbur and YouTube channel Smarter Every Day. Want an ad-free version of Tumble? It’s only $1 each month. Pledge on Patreon to get access to this special podcast feed, including Marshall’s original music. Let us know how you use Tumble. Send us your questions and drawings! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review on iTunes or Stitcher. Thanks for listening!
The Skull of the Ancient Primate with Chris Kirk

18 min 21 April 2017

Who is the oldest primate, and is it our great-great-great grandfather? Listener Elena's question takes us into a laboratory chock full of fossils, and brings us back to the impact that killed most of the dinosaurs. Anthropologist Chris Kirk introduces us to our very ancient - and very tiny - ancestors. Visit our blog at tumblepodcast.com to see photos of Rooneyia and Mahgarita, as well as a tour of the Vertebrate Paleontology Lab! We have resources to get started with your own fossil hunt. If you've been inspired to fossil hunt, let us know what you found! Are you a teacher or homeschooling parent? Tell us how you use Tumble! Email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com. We love hearing from you! Want an ad-free version of Tumble? It’s only $1 each month. Pledge on Patreon to get access to this special podcast feed, including Marshall’s original music. Let us know how you use Tumble. Send us your questions and drawings! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. Thanks for listening!
The Sign of the Ninja Virus with Jasdave Chahal and Omar Khan

17 min 5 May 2017

Brothers Ian, Sam, and Eli want to know, “How do vaccines keep our bodies healthy?” We meet two scientists, Omar Khan and Jasdave Chahal, who have teamed up to tackle the world’s most dangerous diseases with a new technique for developing vaccines. They tell the story of how they came together in a quest to battle biological “ninjas” that want to invade our bodies and make us sick. Are you a teacher or homeschooling parent? Tell us how you use Tumble! Email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com. We love hearing from you! Want an ad-free version of Tumble? It’s only $1 each month. Pledge on Patreon to get access to this special podcast feed, including Marshall’s original music. Let us know how you use Tumble. Send us your questions and drawings! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. Thanks for listening!
The Quest of the Alien Hunter with Seth Shostak

19 min 19 May 2017

Are we alone in the universe, or are there other life forms out there? That's what Daniel, a listener from New Zealand, wants to know. Scientists have been searching for the answer with a surprising tool: radio. But this isn't any old radio. Seth Shostak, senior astronomer at the SETI Institute, shares the story of how the search for intelligent life got started, and where it's headed. Are you a teacher or homeschooling parent? Tell us how you use Tumble! Email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com. We love hearing from you! Want an ad-free version of Tumble? It’s only $1 each month. Pledge on Patreon to get access to this special podcast feed, including Marshall’s original music. Let us know how you use Tumble. Send us your questions and drawings! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. Thanks for listening!
The Call of the Antarctic Dinosaur with Julia Clarke

19 min 2 June 2017

Dinosaurs didn’t roar. What?! Paleontologist Julia Clarke has been uncovering clues to how dinosaurs sounded, in ancient bird fossils from Antarctica. She shares the story of her groundbreaking fossil find that revealed the surprising sounds of the dinosaur world! Come on an expedition to Antarctica and into Julia’s lab on her quest for discovery. Now is the time to send us your science questions! Record your name, age, and your question. Tell us what you think the answer is, and how scientists might find out! Then email it to tumblepodcast@gmail.com. Want an ad-free version of Tumble? It’s only $1 each month. Pledge on Patreon to get access to this special podcast feed, including Marshall’s original music. Let us know how you use Tumble. Send us your questions and drawings! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. Thanks for listening!
The Science of Poop with Mary Roach

18 min 16 June 2017

Everybody poops. But why? To find out, science writer Mary Roach takes us on a journey into the alimentary canal - that's the tube that runs from our mouth to our rectum. Along the way, we learn about pooping in space, and how someone else's poop might one day save your life! Have you been looking for an easy way to find more great podcasts for kids like Tumble? Or maybe you want a place for your kids to listen and discover podcasts on their own. We have great news for you! With Kids Listen, we’ve made the first ever listening app for kids at app.kidslisten.org. Go there and you’ll find all kinds of awesome shows by some of our friends like Brains On, Stories Podcast, and NPR’s new podcast for kids, Wow in the World. Check it out! Thanks to everyone who listened this season! Make sure to STAY SUBSCRIBED so you can get updates from us over the summer - especially on our journey to Barcelona! We're already getting started on episodes for the fall. Send us your science questions, your drawings and recordings! Do you live in Europe? Do you know of any cool scientists and science going on that we should check out? Let us know! We're excited to explore! As always, leave us a review on iTunes if you like the show. Email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com, and check out our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com. To support the show and get educational materials as well as an ad-free version of the show, pledge at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Thanks for listening!
Season 3 Starts September 8!

1 min 21 August 2017

Tumble will be back with all new episodes this fall! Make sure you're subscribed to Tumble to get the first episode on September 8. This season, expect more great stories about science discovery, from around the world! Thanks to listeners Kinnari, Ash, Liesel, Caroline, and Rosemary for helping us record our message. Have a science question? Want to send us a drawing? Know of a scientist we should interview? Email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com. To support the show, go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast and pledge! Your donation helps make Tumble possible.
The Magic Memory Molecule

21 min 8 September 2017

How does our brain remember things? Neuroscientist Andre Fenton found that question has no easy answers. Andre has spent years experimenting with PKMZeta, a tiny molecule he believes is the key to forming memories. But what if he’s wrong? This is a personal story of the scientific process, and the bumps along the journey that lead to knowledge. Welcome back to Season 3 of Tumble! We're so excited to be back with all new episodes - from Barcelona, Spain! To kick it off right, we're doing a Patreon pledge drive to get to 100 Patrons! You can donate any amount to vote on where we'll go in Barcelona and what we'll share with you on our Patreon blog. To pledge, go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Send your questions, drawings, and recordings to tumblepodcast@gmail.com
The Solar System’s Wild Ride

14 min 22 September 2017

Do solar systems move? That’s what Levan wants to know. NASA astronomer Stefanie Milam shares how technology has allowed humans to see the course our solar system has charted through space – and how a powerful new telescope will widen our view even more. Want to learn more, and see photos of the James Webb Space Telescope? Check out our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com. Help us take Tumble to the next level (outer space?)! Support the podcast you love at on our Patreon campaign at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.
The Electric Detectives

17 min 6 October 2017

Where does electricity come from? That's what listener Ati wants to know. Lindsay and Marshall get on the case of a massive blackout that plunged 50 million people into darkness Scientist and engineer Mike Legatt helps us solve the mystery. We made a cool electric grid scavenger hunt for this episode that you can download for free on
Why Words?! How We Learn Language

17 min 20 October 2017

Children are the best language learners, says psycholinguist Evan Kidd. But how do children learn languages so easily, and why is learning another language so hard when you're an adult? It's something we've been wondering since we moved to Barcelona, Spain this summer. Evan Kidd shares his quest to put together the complex puzzle of how humans learn language. What he's discovered might change the way you think about your own native tongue. To join us on our adventures in Barcelona, plus get access to an ad-free version of the show and educational materials, pledge at patreon.com/tumblepodcast Listen to Tumble on the Kids Listen app! app.kidslisten.org If you have any questions about science that you'd like Lindsay and Marshall to help answer, go to our website - www.sciencepodcastforkids.com - and use the contact form. While you're there, you can also find a blog with lots of great resources about this episode.
BONUS EPISODE: Kidcast Sampler!

23 min 25 October 2017

We often talk about how there are so many great kid podcasts out there to discover. Now, we're bringing those podcasts directly to you, in this sampler pack of a bonus episode! Find these podcasts and more at applepodcasts.com/kids You'll hear some of our favorite podcasts for kids. We really believe that listening to podcasts for kids with our son has brought something truly special into our lives, that we couldn't get with any other type of media. We've heard from listeners that Tumble has turned trips to the park into dinosaur fossil hunts, fort-building into a submarine adventure, and boring car rides into a time for interesting conversation. What have podcasts done for your family? Tell us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com. Enjoy!
We Ain't Afraid of No Ghosts: A Tumble Halloween

15 min 27 October 2017

Why do people believe in ghosts? And can science ever prove that they don’t exist? We take a road trip with Dennis Waskul, a sociologist who traveled to graveyards and “haunted” houses to hear ghost stories, from the people who lived them. He wanted to find out why 50% of Americans believe in ghosts. What he discovered might spook you - in a good way! (Note: This episode is NOT scary.)
Marshall's Mailbag Episode!

18 min 10 November 2017

It's a mail bag episode! While Lindsay is away, Marshall is going through a bunch of listener questions and answering them as best he can. Do monkeys get ice cream headaches? Why is Play-doh so salty? Listen to find out the answer to this and more in this special episode of Tumble. If you want to submit a question for Marshall & Lindsay to answer, go visit our website at
Mission CO2 to Mars

20 min 24 November 2017

“Could we ship Earth’s extra carbon dioxide to Mars?” Our listener Ilan has come up with a brilliant plan to stop climate change in its tracks, and make Mars a place we can live - AT THE SAME TIME. Your intrepid Tumble hosts attempt to lift his idea off the ground, with help from Czech environmental scientist Kristina Zackuciova, and NASA astrophysicist Scott Guzewich. Join us, to find out how a scientific journey starts - and whether Ilan has discovered how to save two worlds with one simple plan. Tumble is brought to you with help from Homer. Try Homer, the only learn to read method powered by your child’s interests and shown to increase early reading scores by 74%. As a Tumble fan, you’ll get two months free by visiting learnwithhomer.com/tumble. Wonderbly supports Tumble too! Get a preview of a book starring your child (great for gifts, too!) at www.wonderbly.com. Enter TUMBLE at checkout to get 15% off your order! Want to support Tumble yourself? Pledge at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. At the $5 level, we’ll shoutout your child on the show, and you’ll get access to our growing folder of educational resources - along with an AD-FREE version of the show! Are you using Apple Podcasts right now? Great news! It’s easier than ever to write a review of Tumble. Every positive reviews sends a rainbow directly into our hearts (don’t worry, it’s healthy). Check out resources on our website at sciencepodcastforkids.com, and email us YOUR questions at tumblepodcast@gmail.com
The Case of the Sparkly Mineral

19 min 8 December 2017

"How are minerals made?" "What makes rocks sparkly?" Mary Lou and Tilly are curious about minerals, the chemical compounds that make up rocks! Get ready for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Field Museum in Chicago! Collections manager Jim Holstein opens cabinets containing some of the most exceptional minerals in the world. Find out how scientists have classified minerals for hundreds of years, and why some minerals glow in the dark. Do you have a rock collection? Or any kind of collection? How do you organize, or "classify" it? Check out photos and videos from our tour on the blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com Want to support Tumble, and hear your name on the show? Pledge on our Patreon campaign at patreon.com/tumblepodcast! We LOVE our supporters.
How to Build a Robotic Eel

15 min 22 December 2017

Meet Envirobot, a robotic eel who slithers along the surface of the water, seeking the source of water pollution. The future is here, and it's full of swimming robots! We meet members of the team behind Envirobot, Bezhad Bayat and Alessandro Crespi. They tell us what it takes to turn a swimming animal into a robot - the twists, the turns, the technology, and the math. If you could design a robot based on a swimming animal, what would it be and why? What would it do? We want to hear your ideas, and see your designs! Email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com. Check out a video of Envirobot and terrifying photos of lampreys on our blog, at sciencepodcastforkids.com! Looking for transcripts of our episodes? They're now
The Secret Senses of Plants

16 min 26 January 2018

“Do plants feel pain?” Jude’s question leads us to stunning discoveries about what plants feel, what they hear, and even what they talk about! Biologist Heidi Appel reveals how scientists learned about plants’ inner lives, and tells us the story of how she discovered “listening” plants. You’ll never look at plants the same way again. What can YOU observe about your houseplants? How do they react to changes in light, water, or other variables? Tell us -- and send in your science questions -- at tumblepodcast@gmail.com. Want to learn more about plant communication? Check out our blog at www.sciencepodcastforkids.com. Tumble is brought to you with help from our sponsor, GoGoSqueeZ! Find these yummy, healthy snacks in the applesauce aisle. Tumble’s Teacher Store is coming! We’re getting NGSS-aligned materials ready for your homes and classrooms! Science activities, graphic organizers, lessons, transcripts, and more will be available starting February 1st. Patrons who pledge $5 or more will have access for FREE! Pledge today at www.patreon.com/tumblepodcast, or www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/materials to visit the store. Thanks for listening!
The Surprising Story of Sea Stars' Sticky Feet

18 min 9 February 2018

“How do sea stars grip onto rocks?” That’s what listener Chloe wants to know. To find out, we take a trip to an aquarium to see sea stars’ tiny tube feet in action, and call up sea star expert Chris Mah. What we learn is a surprising story of how scientists made a big mistake when it came to studying to sea stars’ spectacular grip - and how they finally got it right. There’s some amazing science behind these starry creatures! What’s your favorite animal fact? Can you find out how scientists know it’s true? Let us know what you discover by sending us an email, drawing, or recording to tumblepodcast@gmail.com. Tumble’s Teacher Store is coming! We’re getting NGSS-aligned materials ready for your homes and classrooms! Science activities, graphic organizers, lessons, transcripts, and more will be available this month. Patrons who pledge $5 or more will have access for FREE! Pledge today at www.patreon.com/tumblepodcast, or www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/materials to visit the store. Thanks for listening!
Marshall's Mailbag: The Sequel

14 min 23 February 2018

Return of the mailbag! The Tumble inbox is filling up with questions, and Marshall scrambles to answer them while Lindsay relaxes with a glass of lemonade. We find out why rainbows don’t fall down, why naked mole rats are naked, whether you can sneeze with your eyes open, why we have dreams, and how scientists studied tickling with a tickle robot. Want to learn more (and see what naked mole rats look like)? Visit our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com/blog. We’re on Instagram now! Follow us at @tumblepodcast for behind-the-scenes, cool science facts, and our travels in Europe. If you have questions you’d like us to answer, send them to tumblepodcast@gmail.com! Our podcast relies on your support. When you pledge $5 on Patreon, you’ll receive free access to all the materials on our teacher store, including activities, worksheets, transcripts, and ad-free episodes! Pledge now at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Thanks for listening, and stay tuned
Dinosaur Poop Part 1: Who Dung It?

17 min 9 March 2018

Call it fossil feces, dinosaur dung, or preserved poo. This is the first of a two part series on dinosaur poop! We kick it off with the modern-day science of coprolites. Paleontologist Karen Chin shares how she cracked the case of a mysterious coprolite, and discovered a different dinosaur diet. STAY TUNED for the next episode in the series, about a pioneering female paleontologist and a very unusual family of scientists, who discovered that funny looking rocks were actually ancient dung. The Tumble Teacher Store is now open! Find curriculum packages, activities, graphic organizers, transcripts, and even music. Go to sciencepodcastforkids.com/materials to check it out. Want to support Tumble? Pledge to our Patreon campaign! It’s a huge part of how we keep the show going. Plus, you get awesome monthly rewards, like free access to everything in the teacher store when you pledge $5 a month! Go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast to pledge today. Oh, and here’s a new place you can find Tumble and three brand new podcasts for kids: bestrobotever.com Check out quiz show Pants on Fire, and fiction podcasts Six Minutes and The Mayan Crystal, from our partners at Gen Z!
Dinosaur Poop Part 2: The Coprolite Queen

17 min 23 March 2018

This is #2 in a series on dinosaur coprolites, AKA fossilized feces! In the 1800’s, Mary Anning was known as the best fossil hunter in England. She made many great discoveries, including dinosaur poop. With help from our friend Kidosaurus and children’s science historian Melanie Keene, we dig into Mary Anning’s story and her place in the history of women in science. After you listen to this episode, check out our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com/blog for books about Mary Anning and an amazing website where you can explore the stories of other pioneering female paleontologists. Find a new favorite and tell us why she’s awesome, at tumblepodcast@gmail.com! Make sure you listen to our first episode in the series, “Who Dung It?” featuring modern-day coprolite scientist Karen Chin. To hear more from Riley about dinosaurs,
The Weather Balloon, the Girl Scouts, and the Unicorn

14 min 6 April 2018

What happens when a Brownie Troop goes to a weather balloon launch? One Brownie guesses that they’ll make contact with unicorns in the sky. Atmospheric scientist Gary Morris shows us what it takes to launch the biggest balloon you’ve ever seen to the very top of Earth’s atmosphere. Along the way, we’ll learn why weather balloons are the best way to find out about air pollution. And who knows? Maybe we’ll discover unicorns, too! This story came together when a Brownie troop leader emailed Tumble to see if we could do an activity with the girls. We’re always open to new experiences, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com. Do you love what we do, and want to make sure there’s more episodes of Tumble forevermore?
The Power of Pika Scientists

16 min 20 April 2018

For Earth Day, we’re discovering how the tiny, adorable pika is helping scientists study climate change! Temperatures in their mountain habitat are getting warmer, and rain and snow isn’t as predictable as it used to be. Scientists have discovered that the number of pikas in certain areas are shrinking – or even disappearing. But some populations are doing just fine. A scientist named Pika Jo wants to find out why. An unexpected disaster leads her to a surprising discovery. To find out more about pikas and climate change, check out our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com/blog! Has Tumble contributed something meaningful to your family? Please consider pledging to our Patreon campaign at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. It makes a huge difference in making it possible for us to do the show, and we’re planning even more awesome stuff for the future! Our Patrons are the first to know - and, you get access to all the educational materials in our teacher store! Pledge today. Want more Earth Day podcasts? Check out eco-themed episodes from our Kids Listen friends What If World, Ear Snacks, Cool Facts about Animals, Little Stories for Tiny People, and Wow in the World! Find them on the Kids Listen app at app.kidslisten.org.
What Would Happen If There Was No Moon?

18 min 4 May 2018

What would happen if our Moon suddenly disappeared? Would we still have tides? It turns out that the Moon has a much bigger influence on Earth than you might think. Without the Moon, life as we know it would not exist! Rocket scientist Miquel Sureda explains what happened before the Moon existed, and how we know that the Moon is slowly moving away from us. Plus, we have a special treat for you - we made up a story about the Moon’s disappearance with our friends from What If World!
The Sleep Camp Experiment

18 min 18 May 2018

You’ve never heard of a summer camp like this before. It’s a science camp, but the campers ARE the science! Imagine playing volleyball with electrode helmets, going to bed attached to sleep machines, and having scientists study popsicles made of your spit (“spitsicles”). We talk to the scientist who started Sleep Camp, a study that’s been going on for over 30 years. Join us as we learn what Sleep Camp has taught us about why sleep is so important for kids and teens. Our question from JoJo is, “Why do we need sleep?” Find out more about the science of sleep on our [blog post](http:// http://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/single-post/2018/05/17/The-Crazy-Science-of-Sleep) about the Sleep Camp Experiment. And check out our NEW TRAVEL BLOG! Tumble Travels is written for both kids and adults.
The Barcelona Supercomputer Adventure

16 min 1 June 2018

This week, we’re taking you to visit one of most powerful computers in the world! It’s called MareNostrum 4, and it’s housed in a former chapel in Barcelona, Spain. We’ll find out how scientists are using supercomputers to tackle some of the world’s biggest problems. Researchers Eduard Porta and Claudia Rosas explain what it’s like to work with one of the fastest machines in the world. See photos from Lindsay’s visit to MareNostrum 4, and learn more about supercomputers on our blog. It’s the best time ever to support Tumble on Patreon! For the first ten fans who pledge $5 or more to our Patreon campaign, you’ll receive a Detective Dot megapack, along with all of our regular rewards. Check out Detective Dot here: https://www.detectivedot.org/ Then, pledge at patreon.com/tumblepodcast Don’t forget, to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! It really helps other people find out about our podcast.
Tumble Presents: Young Ben Franklin

18 min 8 June 2018

**Recommended for listeners age 8 and up** This week, we’re presenting a new show from our friends at Gen Z Media! It’s called Young Ben Franklin, and it’s a mystery-adventure series about the 14 year old kid who went on to become one of America’s most famous founding fathers. If you enjoy this show, you can find more like it at bestrobotever.com.
The Road Trip to Outer Space

1 hr 13 min 22 June 2018

Got a long trip coming up? Turn it into an adventure into outer space! Marshall’s headed out on an intergalactic journey. He’s lined up the best episodes on astronomy for your road trip! See what it’s like to spend a year on Mars, take a wild ride through the solar system, find out if it’s possible to ship Co2 off our planet, search for alien life, and investigate black holes with the world’s top black hole hunter. You’ll be there in no time when time is flying by at warp speed! When we get to 150 Patrons, Marshall will do something very silly. So if you can, please pledge today: patreon.com/tumblepodcast Hope you’re having a great summer! We’ll be back with new episodes soon.
Mailbag Episode With Joe Hanson!

15 min 6 July 2018

Joe Hanson is a scientist who hosts PBS Digital Studio’s It’s Okay to Be Smart and Hot Mess, a new YouTube show about climate change. He’s been a longtime friend of Tumble’s, so it was a no-brainer to ask him to help answer listener questions! Joe tells us why penguins can’t fly, how animals breathe underwater, what’s beyond the universe, and why our teeth get wobbly and fall out. Plus, find out what we think Tumble: Aquatic Edition would sound like! Watch some of our favorite of Joe’s videos on our website: sciencepodcastforkids.com/blog. Don’t forget, a great way to support Tumble is to pledge on Patreon. You can also tell five friends about the show! Either way, we’ll love you. We’ve got a special offer for you to try KIND Kids Bars! Go to KindSnacks.com/science and enter code SCIENCE at checkout to receive 20% off of your order of KIND Kids Bars.
The Snapdragon Hunt

18 min 20 July 2018

It’s the tale of an epic science adventure. It’s the drama of the hunt for a dragon… a snapdragon! This isn’t the kind of dragon that breathes fire. It’s a flower! And biologists have been hunting for them every summer, in an ongoing quest to understand how species evolve and separate. We tag along with biologist Carina Baskett on her very first day of the snapdragon hunt, in the Pyrenees mountains of Spain. Join us as we get excited about “fieldwork” - one of the coolest (and most adventurous) parts of the scientific process! You can see photos from the snapdragon hunt and learn about fieldwork all over the world, on our blog. We’re doing it live! Check out Tumble’s live events coming up in August, on our website. Tumble is brought to you with help from KIND Snacks. Complete offer details are
The Girl Who Spoke Science

14 min 3 August 2018

Meet 11-year-old Sarah Galvani-Townsend! She’s our first ever kid science expert. In many ways, Sarah is a regular kid who loves science. But she’s got an unusual hobby. Sarah tells us why studying dogs and rabies is one of her favorite extracurricular activities, and how she translates “science language” into “kid language.” To read Sarah’s paper and find out more about Science Journal for Kids, visit our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.org/blog. The original paper is called “One Health approach to cost-effective rabies control in India” and the lead author is Meagan C. Fitzpatrick. Tumble is brought to you with support from KiwiCo. KiwiCo is offering Tumble listeners the chance to try them for free - to redeem this offer & learn more about their projects for kids, visit kiwico.com/tumble Love Tumble?
The Case of the Shrinking Laboratory

13 min 17 August 2018

What if you could shrink your technology down to a size that’s 100,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair? It sounds like sci-fi, but it’s not. Romain Quidant shows us how he helped shrink an entire medical laboratory down to the size of a computer chip. The “lab on a chip” uses molecular mini-detectives to track down diseases hiding within a tiny drop of blood. We’ll find out how it works, and why a tiny particle could make a big difference for human health. To see a photo of Romain holding the lab on the chip, check out our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com/blog. Tumble is brought to you with support from KiwiCo. KiwiCo is offering Tumble listeners the chance to try them for free - to redeem this offer and learn more about their projects for kids, visit kiwico.com/tumble. Love Tumble?
The Science Splash Jam! Live

12 min 31 August 2018

This summer, Tumble went live!! and we want to share the science magic with all our listeners. In this episode, you’ll hear our favorite parts of our Back-to-School Science Splash Jam from the Scottish Rite Theater in Austin, Texas. Get ready for a sea star song written by listeners, jellyfish trivia, and amazing science questions from fans. A super huge thanks and shoutout to everyone who came to our events! If you’re curious about Tumble live events, email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com. Our guests were SaulPaul, Elizabeth McQueen, and Juli Berwald. Sara and Michael Lentz recorded the Science Splash Jam. Thanks to our sponsors: The Headwaters School, Austin Family Magazine, Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child, and Listenwise. Our kid contestants were Adele, Liesel, and Finn. Our question askers were Amery, Amara, and Leela.
The Journey to the Bat Cave

17 min 14 September 2018

Join us on a field trip to the biggest bat colony in the world! Bracken Cave is home to 15 million Mexican free-tailed bats. It’s the largest concentration of mammals on the planet, and it’s made up of only mothers and their babies. On our visit, we’ll meet a real-life Batwoman. Jessica Dreyer is a bat biologist who is studying how bats learn to be bats. Now… TO THE BAT CAVE! To see photos from our trip, as well videos of “bat rain” and the evening “batnado,” check out our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com/blog. We’ll also have information about how you can visit Bracken Cave in person, with Bat Conservation International. This week, our Patreon members are getting exclusive audio bonus content from our interview with Jessica! Hear her describe what it’s like to go inside the cave, as she shares tons of other stunning bat facts. Pledge today at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. You’ll also get an ad-free feed, when you sign up at just $1/month!
What Would Earth Be Like If Volcanoes Didn’t Exist?

13 min 28 September 2018

A volcanologist imagines a world without volcanoes, and tells us how her recipe for homemade lava bombs might lead to discoveries about ancient volcanoes in outer space! It turns out that volcanoes do more for planets than create natural pyrotechnic displays. You’re guarenteed to be blown away by volcanologist Erika Rader’s EXTREME VOLCANO SCIENCE PROJECT. Spoiler alert: It involves a huge cauldron of molten rock, an aircannon, and a forklift. Tell Erika what YOU would do with a lava machine: Email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com with a drawing or recording, and we’ll pass your ideas on!
Pluto and the Planetary Pandemonium

15 min 12 October 2018

It’s a scientific controversy of planetary proportions! Is Pluto a planet, or not? You decide, after we present two sides of an epic astronomy argument. Back in 2006, the International Astronomer’s Union voted on a definition of the word “planet” that excluded Pluto and other newly dubbed “dwarf planets” from planethood status. Astronomers - and everybody else - quickly chose sides. We dive deep into the debate and learn that Pluto’s not the only Space Object Formerly Known As A Planet. Then we’ll ask you to weigh in with your opinion, and see if you can find “consensus” on what should be called a planet. Featuring planetary astronomer Kirby Runyon. We have a present for your birthday!! We’ll be doing birthday shoutouts for our Patreon members, beginning next month. Want to hear a message on the podcast just for your special day? Pledge at the $5 level at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. You’ll be helping us make the show, and we also have extra audio goodies for you. Hear more from our interviews with scientists! For this episode, Kirby Runyon expands on the different types of planets, and the fascinating features you can find on each one. There’s more about planets, on our website at sciencepodcastforkids.com. Don’t forget to
The Mask of the Crow Scientist

14 min 26 October 2018

Not a true crime story, but a true science story! Starring a murder of crows, a person in a creepy mask, and one very curious scientist named Kaeli Swift. We unravel the mystery of what appears like scene from a Halloween fright night, but is actually an experiment designed to reveal the reasons for some very weird crow behavior. Turns out, you can get a lot of strange looks on the road to science discovery. NOTE: This episode is about the scientific study of death in animals. No animals die in this story, but listeners uncomfortable with this topic might want to skip it. Other Halloween episodes are “We Ain’t Afraid of No Ghosts!” and “The Laboratory of the Haunted House.” To see a photo of someone wearing the mask, and watch a video of Kaeli’s study, visit our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com. We have more from our interview with Kaeli, on our special ad-free Patreon feed! Learn about how Kaeli followed her curiosity from this experiment, to fascinating studies on what crows might actually be thinking during a crow funeral. Pledge starting at $1/month today, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Send us your science questions, and tell us about your Halloween-inspired experiments! Email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com. Happy Halloween!
Tumble Presents: Becoming Mother Nature

37 min 9 November 2018

Today we’re presenting the first episode of Becoming Mother Nature, a show from our friends at Gen-Z Media. It’s recommended for listeners 9 and up. For the rest of our listeners, we’ll be back with a new Tumble episode next month! When Chloe is sent off to live with her mysterious and eccentric grandmother, she learns an unbelievable secret. Grandma Ivy is none other than Mother Nature herself! And Chloe is next in line to assume the power and responsibility of the job. Can a twelve-year-old learn to balance the entire world’s ecosystem while just trying to fit in at her new school? Only Mother Nature knows.
Inside the Bat Cave (BONUS EPISODE)

10 min 23 November 2018

What’s it like to go inside the world’s largest bat colony? In this special bonus episode, we’re sharing part of our interview with Jessica Dreyer, modern day Bat Woman and biologist. (Remember her from “The Journey to the Bat Cave”?!) Find out why a cave just outside San Antonio, Texas is home to 15 million bats - the largest gathering of mammals anywhere on the planet! Want to get behind-the-scenes of our stories of science discovery?
Discover the Wildlife of Your Home

18 min 7 December 2018

We're going on an indoor expedition to discover the species in our own home! You’ll never look at the bugs in your house the same way again. Ecologist and author Rob Dunn is our guide to exploring what he calls, “the unknown we wake up in every morning.” We’ll find out how many species live in the average home (it’s more than you think!) and tell you how you can conduct your own scientific survey inside your house. It’s an activity that could help scientists discover indoor wildlife all around the world. To learn how you can sign up for Rob’s citizen science project, Never Home Alone, check out our blog at www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/blog. Our friend Science Mom has created a downloadable coloring book and indoor bug guide, special for this episode! It’s available to our Patreon members at all levels. To get it, just pledge any amount to
The Animal Road Trip Adventure

2 hr 12 min 21 December 2018

Join us for a journey through Tumble's favorite animal episodes! Swim with whale sharks in Mexico, climb mountains with pikas, travel back in time to discover our earliest primate relatives, and more. Download two hours of stories of animal science discovery, and you'll be all set to turn your road trip into an animal adventure. For a collection of episodes about astronomy, check out The Road Trip To Outer Space. We'll be back January 11 with brand new episodes. Have a great holiday!
The Cave of the Underground Astronauts

16 min 11 January 2019

Do you love fossils, adventure, and spending time in small spaces? If so, you could become an underground astronaut! Marina Elliot, Becca Peixotto, and Kenni Molopyane found this unusual job description through a Facebook ad, and landed deep inside a cave that few people can access. The team of archeologists talked to Tumble in the middle of excavating Homo Naledi, one of the biggest recent discoveries on the human family tree. Find out how they squeeze through a 7 inch gap on their daily commute, and how their work could change the way we understand early human history. Hear more from inside the cave with Marina, Becca, and Kenni when you pledge $1/month on Patreon! Support Tumble and get bonus interview episodes of new episodes. Find out more about Homo Naledi, and how you can explore the cave in virtual reality, with resources on our blog.
The Superpower of the Secret Names

16 min 25 January 2019

How do species get their scientific names? To find out, Lindsay and Marshall take a field trip behind the scenes at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. That’s where we meet Chris Mah, a sea star scientist who has discovered and named over 50 new species! (You might remember him from “The Surprising Story of Sea Stars’ Sticky Feet.”) Chris shows us next season’s hottest new sea stars, shows off his amazing toy collection, and shares the secrets behind his super naming super powers. What would you name a new species, and why? Tell us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com. See Marshall’s photos from our trip, including Chris’ amazing office and the giant not-so-giant sea star he shows us in the episode. It’s on our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com. Hear a bonus “interview episode” with Chris Mah when you support Tumble on Patreon! Plus, hear from scientists from all our recent episodes! Pledge here: patreon.com/tumblepodcast
Hamster Versus Bacteria

15 min 8 February 2019

Who would win in a competition, a hamster or bacteria? Place your bets, because we’re going to tell the story of this epic science showdown. Danielle Tullman-Ercek is a synthetic biologist trying to find a better way to make life-saving medicine. To do it, she’s engineering a bacteria cell to compete with a medicine-making hamster cell. Listen to find out what if Danielle and her bacteria have what it takes to win. What’s a hamster cell doing making medicine, anyway?! If you engineered your own bacteria, what would it make and why? Draw a picture and email it to us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com! To learn more about synthetic biology, check out our blog. Want to learn more about cell biology and engineering bacteria? We have a special bonus interview episode with Danielle for our Patreon members! For only $1/month, you’ll get twice the Tumble goodness to dive deeper into all our new episodes. Pledge here: patreon.com/tumblepodcast.
The Search at Edge of the Solar System

19 min 22 February 2019

Is there a hard edge to the solar system? This question led to a big, breakthrough discovery that changed the way we picture the solar system - and every other solar system in the universe. The Kuiper Belt is a gigantic field of small, icy objects beyond Neptune, “planet scraps” left over from the formation of the planets. For many, many years, no one believed it might exist. Until astronomers Jane Luu and David Jewitt decided to see what was out there. Jane Luu tells the story of how she helped discover the Kuiper Belt. We have an exciting announcement! We’ve partnered with Castbox to launch Tumble Premium, a channel on the Castbox app featuring ad-free episodes and all our bonus interview episodes too! It’s $1.35/month through the app, or $16/year. You’ll be helping support the show while listening on a great podcast app! Don’t worry, we’ve still got the same great audio extras
The Secret to Cheetahs’ Super Speed

15 min 8 March 2019

How do cheetahs get their super speed? We talk to a cheetah scientist to find out why a spotted cat is the fastest animal on Earth. Cheetahs are literally built for speed! Anne Hilborn spent months scoping out cheetahs on the hunt in the grasslands of the Serengeti. We’ll discover how cheetahs’ incredible speed is linked to their survival - and what they do when being fast isn’t enough. **** On our special bonus interview episode - available to our Patreon & Castbox supporters - Anne shares the amazing story of how being photographed while dropping cheetah poop on herself became both her most embarrassing and her proudest moment. Photos on the blog! Pledge at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Only $1/month gets you double the Tumble, and $5/month comes with a shoutout on the show, a birthday greeting, and opportunities to be on the show! Castbox is an awesome listening app, and we’ve partnered with Castbox to launch Tumble Premium, a channel on the Castbox app featuring every episode and all our bonus interview episodes too! It’s $1.35/month through the app, or $16/year. Want to learn more about cheetah science, and reputable conservation organizations? Check out our blog at
The Tale of the High School Astronomer

16 min 22 March 2019

Meet Ana Humphrey. She hasn’t graduated from high school yet, but she’s already discovered 560 places outside our solar system where we could find hidden planets. Ana won the 2019 Regeneron Science Talent Search with her project that used a mathematical model to pinpoint locations for exoplanet search parties. But Ana’s story is more than a successful science fair project. Find out how Ana’s love for science, math, and making a difference in her community helped her become a high school astronomer! You can hear our full interview with Ana on our Patreon and Castbox Premium channel. She has a great perspective to share on how science and math can be used to understand the world - and more on how her early concern for the environment helped lead her into space. Pledge now at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. A $1/month donation gives you access to all our bonus audio! Here are this week’s new $5+ Patrons: Brynlee, Elijah, Nehemiah, Azariah, Lena, Izzy, Sevy, and Alex. Happy birthday to Anlin and Oren Mack, Ben (aka Benny Boo) Lena, Izzy, and Harley! For more, check out the blog on our website at sciencepodcastforkids.com.
The Science of Whiskers

15 min 5 April 2019

Why do seals have whiskers? Listener Karah’s question dives into the wonderful world of whisker science. Robyn Grant, a self-described “whisker biologist” shares her discoveries of how whiskers work, from training a friendly seal named Moe to making slow-mo movies of super speedy “whisking.” (You will find no cuter field of research… but if you do, tell us about it!) Listen to learn about humans’ hidden whisker muscles and find out to rank whiskers like the pros! Want to learn more about whisker science? We have more from our interview with Robyn on our Patreon podcast feed! Subscribe for $1/month at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. You can also tune in on the Castbox podcast app by tuning into our Premium Channel. Find more whiskery educational resources on our blog, at sciencepodcastforkids.com.
The Launch of the Irish Satellite

15 min 19 April 2019

How does a country start its own space program? Come with us to Ireland to find out, and meet one of the students whose childhood dreams of launching a satellite are about to come true. Lana Salmon is part of a team from University College Dublin building Ireland’s first-ever satellite. We get to step inside the lab and learn what it takes to design, engineer, and launch experiments into space. Want to learn more about EIRSAT-1? Visit our website at sciencepodcastforkids.com for great educational materials. We’ll have more from our visit and interview with Lana on our Patreon and Castbox Premium Channels.
The Hurricane of the Future

16 min 3 May 2019

Why are hurricanes so powerful? Every year, monster storms develop in the Atlantic Ocean from June until November. It seems like they come out of nowhere. But scientists are working to predict them months, years, and even decades before they start. We’ll discover what makes hurricanes so destructive, and why they might become even more intense in the future. Might it have something to do with gnomes that ride on hamsters? Listen and find out! To hear more from our interview with Suzana Camargo, listen on Patreon or our Castbox premium channel! It’s just $1 to sign up at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. New patron and birthday shoutouts will be coming at our $5 Patreon supporters all summer long, even while we’re on break, as well as special blogs and updates. We have free educational resources on the science of hurricanes on our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com. Think others should know about Tumble? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or spread the word any way you like!
The Butterflies of Paris

15 min 17 May 2019

This is the last episode of Season 4, but stay tuned for our special summer lineup! We’ll be back for Season 5 in fall 2019. Why are butterflies so colorful? That’s what Zed, from The Petit Punk Podcast, wants to know. So we went on a family podcast field trip to the Museum of Natural History in Paris, where we met Zed, his mom Dana, and a butterfly scientist named Marianne Elias. Come with us as we visit the museum’s private “butterfly library,” and find out why some butterflies are toxic! Plus, we’ll learn why Marianne climbs trees when she’s not in her office. Also, a special original butterfly song from Dana & The Petit Punks! Love Tumble? Supporting us on Patreon is a great way to show it! Pledge at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. $5 a month gets you a shoutout and birthday greeting on the show, plus special messages from Lindsay & Marshall! Just $1/month gets you our bonus interview episodes featuring scientists on the show. Don’t worry, summer birthdays - we’d never forget you! (One of us has a summer birthday, so we know how it can be.) Listen for your shoutout airing across ALL episodes this summer.
Tumble Season 4 Favorites with The Show About Science!

20 min 31 May 2019

We’re taking a listen back to some of our favorite moments from Season 4 of Tumble, with help from our friend Nate! Nate is the 9 year old host of fellow kids science podcast, “The Show About Science.” Nate interviews Lindsay and Marshall about the stories behind the science. This episode features clips from Rob Dunn (“Discover the Wildlife of Your Home”), Anne Hilborn (“The Secret to Cheetahs’ Super Speed”), Erika Rader (“What Would Earth Be Like If Volcanoes Didn’t Exist?”), and Robyn Grant (“The Science of Whiskers”). To hear the FULL episodes, listen in your favorite podcast app or check out our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com! Super special thanks today to Nate and his dad Eric. Nate is a superstar interviewer and you should listen to BOTH his shows, The Show About Science and The Show About Politics. You can also hear him on our Season 1 episode, “The Case of the Invisibility Cloak.” We’re taking a break for the summer! We’re having a baby and we’ll be taking some time to adjust to our new life! We’ll be back with Season 5 in the fall. But keep listening - we’re lining up treats for you all summer! And we still rely on your support on Patreon - listen for fresh Patreon shoutouts and birthday messages!
The Voyage of the Ocean Trash with Jenni Brandon [EXTENDED CUT]

15 min 14 June 2019

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a vast, swirling soup of trash, twice the size of Texas. Can we ever clean it up? That’s what 8 year old Ila wants to know. She lives in Hawaii and likes to pick up trash whenever she goes to the beach. She lives closer to the garbage patch than most of us. Finding the answer to her question, led us to create one of our favorite episodes of Tumble. We talk to Jenni Brandon about how she learned about the garbage patch, what it is like to be there, and what can be done about it. We’re on summer baby break, but Season 5 is coming in Fall 2019! We rely on listener support to keep making the show. Pledge on Patreon for bonus interview episodes, birthday shoutouts, and more!
Science of Poop with Mary Roach [EXTENDED CUT]

15 min 28 June 2019

Everybody poops. But why? To find out, science writer Mary Roach takes us on a journey into the alimentary canal - that's the tube that runs from our mouth to our rectum. Along the way, we learn about pooping in space, and how someone else's poop might one day save your life! We love all science here at Tumble, but poop science holds a special place in our hearts. We hope you enjoy this extended cut of “The Secret Life of Poop” where we learn more about why poop is not only funny, but important to our health.
The Explorer's Road Trip

1 hr 26 min 12 July 2019

If you have a long trip this summer, Tumble has the perfect fuel to inspire exploration along the way! Marshall’s off exploring the deepest, darkest part of the jungle, and he put together the perfect playlist of Tumble’s favorite exploration-themed episodes. Starting at the world-famous Explorer’s Club in New York City, we’ll take you traveling to the depths of the ocean, into caves, and even to outer space. Real life explorers and scientists share their own breathtaking tales of scientific adventure. By the time you get to where you’re going, you’ll be totally ready to explore! Want to support Tumble? Pledge to our Patreon and get special bonus interview episodes! We’re also posting exclusive blog posts all summer, featuring our recommendations for great science content, children’s books, and even our favorite spots to visit in Barcelona! We’ll be back with Season 5 in September, so hang tight and enjoy!
Tumble Presents: The Past & The Curious

28 min 9 August 2019

Today, we’re sharing one of our personal favorite podcasts, The Past & The Curious! It’s a history podcast with great music and a sense of humor, hosted by educator Mick Sullivan. This episode is all about bridges - perfect for Tumble fans who love tales of science and engineering. Join us for two tales connected by bridges. First, Emily Roebling winds up as a lead engineer in the building of the Brooklyn Bridge, the first American woman to find herself in such a position. Second, Sonny Rollins, one of the greatest saxophonists in history isn’t happy with his playing, despite the fame he receives. His days on a bridge change his life. Love what you heard? There’s plenty more!
Tumble Presents: Earth Rangers

19 min 23 August 2019

What are Earth’s top ten biggest animals? You’ll find that out, and more, with the help of Earth Ranger Emma! We’re sharing our favorite episode from our friends at Earth Rangers. Earth Rangers is a podcast for anyone who loves to explore the mysteries of nature. If you love Tumble, we’re sure you’ll love this show. Want to hear more Earth Rangers?
The Secret Senses of Plants [ENCORE]

16 min 6 September 2019

Tumble will return with all new episodes starting October 5! Until then, listen to one of our favorite episodes. "Do plants feel pain?" Jude's question leads us to stunning discoveries about what plants feel, what theyhear, and even what they talk about! Biologist Heidi Appel reveals how scientists learned about plants' inner lives, and tell sus the story of how she discovered "listening" plants. You'll never look at plants the same way again. We rely on listener support to keep making the show. Pledge on Patreon for bonus interview episodes, birthday shoutouts, and more!
What Would Happen If There Was No Moon? [ENCORE]

15 min 20 September 2019

Tumble returns for Season 5 on October 4, with all new episodes! In the meantime, enjoy one of our favorite-ever episodes. What would happen if our Moon suddenly disappeared? Would we still have tides? It turns out that the Moon has a much bigger influence on Earth than you might think. Without the Moon, life as we know it would not exist! Rocket scientist Miquel Sureda explains what happened before the Moon existed, and how we know that the Moon is slowly moving away from us. Love Tumble? Want a special shoutout on your birthday? Pledge today at patreon.com/tumblepodcast, at the $5 level or higher! Visit our website at sciencepodcastforkids.com
The Tale of the Hungry Koala

23 min 4 October 2019

How does a koala eat eucalyptus leaves? Eucalyptus is toxic to most animals, but they’re a koala’s only food. In this episode, we look past the cuddliness to discover how koalas manage to chow down on the Australian tree species. Biologist Michaela Blyton shares the story of how she convinced some extremely picky koalas to try new foods in the midst of a conservation crisis. Spoiler alert: It involves starting a koala hotel, and inventing a pill with an unusual ingredient. Today’s episode is a longer one, in celebration of our first day back from a long break! But don’t worry, our next episodes will be back to our usual time. For more resources about koalas and the conservation crisis at Cape Otway, visit our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com Want to hear more of our interview with Dr. Michaela Blyton? We have an exclusive interview episode for our Patrons! Just pledge $1/month (or more) on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. You’ll get these special bonus episodes for every interview we feature this season!
The Science of Peregrines' Fast Flight

18 min 18 October 2019

How do peregrine falcons dive so fast? That’s what listener Henry wants to know. Peregrines hit speeds of over 200 mph, making them the fastest animal on the planet. Even faster than cheetahs! Mathematical biologist Graham Taylor studies the science of animal flight, and peregrines are his most impressive subjects. Find out how peregrines win the ultimate animal race, and how scientists are revealing the hidden physics and math behind fast flight. Want to learn more about fast birds, bio-inspired engineering and mathematical biology? Check out our special bonus interview episode with Dr. Graham Taylor. It’s
The Expedition of the Science Ship

15 min 1 November 2019

Ship ahoy! We’re taking you on an expedition at sea, to do science on a research ship! With the help of geochemist Jeanine Ash, we’re climbing on board the JOIDES Resolution, a one-of-a-kind vessel that travels the seven seas, exploring what lies beneath the seafloor. The ship is equipped to find clues to Earth’s history, geology, biology, and even… alien life. So get your sea legs (and ears) ready, and let’s chart a course for science. Hear more from on board the ship, and our interview with Jeanine Ash on a special bonus episode. It’s available to Tumble fans who pledge just $1 or more a month to our Patreon campaign at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Want to learn more about JOIDES Resolution? We’ve got tons of multimedia educational resources linked up on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com/blog. See what the ship looks like, watch it in action, learn more about Jeanine’s expedition, and even arrange a video visit for your classroom!
The Rise of the Dinosaurs

18 min 15 November 2019

“What’s the oldest dinosaur?” “How did dinosaurs come alive?” We tackle two listener questions in one epic story of dinosaur domination. Scientist Jessica Whiteside takes us back in time to the dawn of the dinosaurs, 230 million years ago. The story involves fascinating fossils, intense lava eruptions, climate craziness, and dinosaurs doubling in size. We’re going to find out what happened, and how scientists discovered it all. Hear more from our interview with Jessica Whiteside and discover the bizarre ancestor of the dinosaurs! You can listen to our bonus episode (and many more!) when you pledge just $1/month or more to support Tumble on Patreon, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Learn more about dino-tastic topics covered in the show on our blog, at sciencepodcastforkids.com.
The Science of Snot

17 min 29 November 2019

Why do we have snot? Do animals get stuffy noses, too? We delve into the world of thick secretions with the help of Dani Rabiaotti, zoologist and author of “Believe it or Snot: The Definitive Field Guide to Earth’s Slimy Creatures.” You’ll find out why we make so much mucus, and meet the slimiest animals on the planet. Plus, you’ll discover why scientists study slime, even though it’s super gross. Want buckets more of slime info? We’ve got a BONUS EPISODE with Dani Rabiaotti! You can listen to our scientist interview (and many more!) when you pledge just $1/month or more to support Tumble on Patreon, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Learn more about slimey topics covered in the show on our blog, at sciencepodcastforkids.com.
How to Become an Astronaut

17 min 13 December 2019

How do you become an astronaut? That’s what Tumble listener Margaret wants to know. We go straight to the source to get an answer: A NASA astronaut! Dr. Serena Auñon-Chancellor shares her journey to outer space with us. Starting from being a kid watching shuttle launches, to her school’s Astronaut Club, all the way to NASA’s Astronaut Candidate program, and finally to the International Space Station. Serena also shares the surprising truth about doing science research in space. Join us on her path to the stars! Want to hear more from our interview with Serena about training to become an astronaut? Listen to our special bonus interview episode. It’s available when you pledge just $1/month on Patreon! patreon.com/tumblepodcast We have resources to learn more about Serena and the NASA astronaut training program on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.
Tumble Presents: Fun Kids Science Weekly

55 min 27 December 2019

Tumble is on winter break! In the meantime, enjoy this bonus-size pack of science from our friends at Fun Kids Science Weekly. In this British podcast, Dan takes a look at the week’s best science stories. And they gave us the year’s best stories, all rolled up into one giant episode! Enjoy while you travel, and find out more about the show on FunKidsLive.com. Tumble will be back with all new episodes on February 7. While you travel, enjoy our road trip compilations: The Animal Road Trip Adventure, The Road Trip to Outer Space, and The Explorer’s Road Trip. Happy New Year, from all of us at Tumble!
Tumble Presents: But Why?

19 min 10 January 2020

Tumble is on winter break! In the meantime, enjoy this episode from our friends at But Why?: A Podcast for Curious Kids. We know that our listeners are some of the most curious kids on the planet, so you’re sure to love it. If you enjoy this episode, check out over 100 more episodes by subscribing to But Why? wherever you get your podcasts. Tumble will be back with all new episodes on February 7. We can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on!
Tumble Double Pack: Our Award-Winning Episodes!

31 min 24 January 2020

Tumble has won a big award for two episodes: “The Cave of the Underground Astronauts” and “The Science of Whiskers.” You’ll hear them both in this twin pack of awesome stories of science discovery. Tumble is the 2019 Gold Award winner of the AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award, in the category of Children’s Science News. It’s an international prize that “recognizes distinguished science reporting for a general audience.” “The originality and creativity that went into these two pieces is remarkable,” said Christine Dell’Amore, a *National Geographic *editor. “These podcasts taught kids a ton about science in a fun and engaging way.” Lindsay will be traveling to Seattle in February to receive the awards, and give a free public talk about how to make science podcasts, for both kids and adults! If you’re in the Seattle area, come to her “Meet a Scientist” talk on February 15 at 12 pm. She’d love to meet you! The talk is part of AAAS Family Days - a weekend filled with science activities at the Seattle Sheraton Grand Hotel. It’s free to attend on February 15 and 16. More information and registration link here.
Decoding Dog DNA

16 min 7 February 2020

Why do dogs look and act so different from each other? Listener Finley has two Chihuahuas named Peanut and Maggie, and she wants to know why they have different head shapes. She thinks it might have something to do with their DNA. It turns out scientists are studying what makes dogs the way they are, with the help of gigantic books of doggie DNA. Geneticist Jessica Hekman takes us on a journey through the history of dog breeding and into the cutting-edge science that’s helping us understand what makes our pups so special. Come explore genetics through dog breeds! Learn more about dog breeds and behavior in our interview with Jessica Hekman, available to our Patreon supporters! To get access with a pledge of just $1/month and up, go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Get more information about dog genetics and Darwin’s Ark on the blog post on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.
The Kid Scientists' Galapagos Adventure

17 min 21 February 2020

What’s it like to be a kid doing experiments in one of the most famous science places in the world? Oscar and Mae Johnson were nine and twelve when they traveled to the Galapagos Islands with their scientist dad. The Galapagos are isolated tropical islands made famous by Charles Darwin, who came up with the theory of evolution based on his research there. Mae and Oscar followed in Darwin’s footsteps. With help from their parents, they conducted their own research and got it published in a scientific journal - a big deal for scientists of every age! Hear Mae and Oscar tell their own story of science discovery in this episode. See photos of Oscar and Mae doing their experiment on our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com! We also have more resources to learn about the Galapagos there. Want to learn more about Mae and Oscar’s great science adventure and experiments? We have a special bonus interview episode available for our Patrons. Just pledge $1/month for this and all our scientist interviews at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.
The Physics of Basketball

15 min 6 March 2020

Can science make you better at sports? Sports scientist John Drazan says the answer is yes. John shares how losing a high school basketball game made him start thinking like a scientist. His high school physics teacher stepped in to explain how an idea called “mechanical advantage” could have saved the last point of the game - and changed his life forever. Join us to hear John’s aha moment, and hear his tips on how science can make you better at the things you love to do. Want to hear more about sports and science? We have a bonus interview episode with John, where he shares how he used physics to learn how to dunk. You can listen to this and all our other scientist interview episodes when you pledge just $1/month on patreon, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast We have some great resources on science and sports
Answering Kids’ Coronavirus Questions

21 min 13 March 2020

**Evidence about behavior and contagion has evolved since this podcast was released. Please refer to current reporting from trusted sources like Stat News for updated information about coronavirus.** Do you have questions about coronavirus? We’ve got answers. Coronavirus is probably affecting your life right now, and it can seem scary and complicated to understand. That’s why we collected questions from listeners, and got an expert to answer them. We asked Dr. Juan Dumois, an infectious disease pediatrician, these questions and more: Did coronavirus really originate from bats, because that’s what I heard? If so, how did it happen? How did coronavirus get its name? How does coronavirus travel to different people? Why does coronavirus seem more dangerous for the elderly than it is for kids? Can I still hug and kiss my grandma? Can my pet get coronavirus? What will it take to end the outbreak? How can science help? Thanks to everyone who contributed to this episode! We’ll have more resources for kids about coronavirus on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com. You might also want to listen to our episode about viruses and vaccines: The Sign of the Ninja Virus. If you’re looking for activities, we also have educational materials to go along with some of our episodes. We are making them free during the coronavirus outbreak with the code COVID. Just go to our “Teacher Store” on our website and enter COVID at checkout. We hope this special episode helps you understand the science behind the coronavirus, and how kids and families can help keep vulnerable people safe during this uncertain time.
Coronavirus: Preguntas y Respuestas Para Niños

15 min 19 March 2020

Si tienes preguntas sobre el coronavirus, tenemos las respuestas. El coronavirus nos está afectando a todos y puede parecer peligroso y difícil de entender. Por esta razón, Tumble reunió preguntas de sus oyentes y contactó con un experto para responderlas. Le preguntamos al Dr. Juan Dumois, un médico pediátrico de enfermedades infecciosas, lo que todos nos estamos preguntando, especialmente los niños:**** He escuchado que el coronavirus empezó con unos murciélagos y quería saber si esto es cierto. Y si fue así, ¿qué pasó? ¿De dónde proviene el nombre del coronavirus? ¿Cómo se transmite el coronavirus de persona en persona? ¿Por qué el coronavirus parece ser más peligroso para la gente mayor que para los niños? ¿Puedo darle besos y abrazos a mi abuela? ¿Le puede dar coronavirus a mi mascota? ¿Cómo puede la ciencia ayudar a frenar este brote? Esta es una versión especial en español de Tumble, producida por Nuria Net y Alex García de La Coctelera Music. ¡Gracias a todos los que ayudaron con este episodio! Para más recursos (en inglés) sobre el coronavirus visita nuestra página web, sciencepodcastforkids.com. También te puede interesar este episodio sobre los virus y las vacunas (en inglés): The Sign of the Ninja Virus. Si estás buscando actividades, también tenemos materiales educativos para acompañar algunos de nuestros episodios. Si utilizas el código COVID, puedes descargarlos de forma gratuita durante la cuarentena del coronavirus. Solo tienes que ir a “Teacher Store” en nuestra página web y poner COVID al finalizar la compra. Esperamos que este episodio especial te ayude a entender el coronavirus desde un punto de vista científico y que durante estos tiempos inciertos, ayude a los niños y a sus familias a proteger a sus seres queridos más susceptibles.
Where Do Viruses Come From?

16 min 25 March 2020

How do animals get viruses to pass on to humans? That’s what listener Ian wanted to know. To find out, we’re exploring the science of virology - the study of viruses. Virologist Dr. Jasdave Chahal explains how coronavirus jumped through two species into humans, and where they came from in the first place. Plus, we’ll find out how scientists discovered viruses before even seeing them, and how they built the tools to fight back. We have more virology resources on the blog for this episode on our website, www.sciencepodcastforkids.com. Want to hear more from our interview with Jasdave? We have a bonus interview episode available for Patreons, when you pledge $1/month or more at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Do you have questions about coronavirus? Send them to us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com. Correction: A previous version of this episode stated that viruses were first discovered in rabies. They were discovered in tobacco mosaic virus. The new version makes the correction that viruses were first hypothesized in rabies, but discovered later in tobacco plants.
¿De Dónde Vienen Los Virus?

16 min 9 April 2020

Los virus son como los ninjas más pequeños del planeta. Tienen infinidad de trucos y misterios. ¿Cómo adquieren los animales los virus y cómo se lo pasan a los humanos? Esa era la pregunta de uno de nuestros oyentes. Para averiguar la respuesta, nos adentramos en la ciencia de la virología, el estudio de los virus. El Dr. Jasdave Chahal es un virólogo y nos explica cómo el coronavirus saltó por dos especies hasta los humanos, y de dónde salió. Además, averiguamos cómo los científicos descubrieron los virus aún antes de poder verlos, y cómo cómo crearon las herramientas para protegernos de estos sigilosos ninjas. Esta es una versión especial en español de Tumble, producida por Nuria Net y Alex García de La Coctelera Music. ¡Gracias a todos los que ayudaron con este episodio! Para más recursos (en inglés) sobre el coronavirus visita nuestra página web, sciencepodcastforkids.com. También te puede interesar este episodio con las preguntas de nuestros oyentes: Coronavirus: Preguntas y Respuestas para Niños y este otro episodio sobre los virus y las vacunas (en inglés): The Sign of the Ninja Virus.
The Science of Smell

15 min 17 April 2020

Why do foods smell the way that they do? A would-be chef goes on a quest to find out, after she loses the ability to smell. Molly Birnbaum, editor of America’s Test Kitchen Kids and host of the podcast, Mystery Recipe, navigates us through the olfactory organs and the startling chemistry of food. Join us to discover the science of smell, and how your nose helps you cook and taste. Want to hear more from our interview with Molly? We have a special bonus interview episode available to all our patrons! Just pledge $1 or more a month at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. We’re sharing more resources about the science of smell and cooking on our blog at our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.
Answering More Kids’ Coronavirus Questions

22 min 24 April 2020

We’re back with a new set of kids’ questions about COVID19, as well as some important updates on questions from our first coronavirus episode. Dr. Juan Dumois, infectious disease pediatrician, answers some tricky questions like, “If you were the coronavirus, what would life feel like?” and “Can I play with my friend?” * *Our interview with Dr. Dumois was recorded on April 17, 2020. If you’re listening weeks later, the situation and the science might have evolved, and Dr. Dumois’ answers might be outdated - information that feels old or incorrect. In that case, look for more recently updated information from trusted sources, like the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and follow guidelines from your local government. You can also keep sending us questions at tumblepodcast@gmail.com! Do you love Tumble?
The Tale of the Interstellar Visitor

14 min 1 May 2020

What happened when astronomers discovered the first alien from another solar system? This is a true story! In 2017, a telescope in Hawaii spotted a distant object in the night sky, behaving like nothing we’d ever seen before. They named it ‘Oumuamua, and an astronomical chase began! Join astronomer Jane Luu on her quest to track it down and figure out how the first interstellar visitor arrived in our solar system. We have another great episode with Jane Luu, about her breakthrough discovery of the Kuiper Belt! Listen to The Search at the Edge of the Solar System. You can also listen to an extended interview with Jane Luu about Oumuamua when you pledge to support Tumble on our Patreon, for just $1/month. Learn more about ‘Oumuamua on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.
The Volcanic Eruption Adventure

16 min 16 May 2020

Would you fly to the top of a volcano that’s about to erupt at any moment? Volcanologist Helena Buurman did, and survived to tell the tale! In 2008, Helena was monitoring Mount Redoubt in Alaska, when the ground beneath the volcano began to shake. What follows is a tale of volcanic adventure, involving earthquakes, helicopters, and a massive eruption! We invite you to invent your own volcano! Find resources to learn more about volcano warning signs and eruptions, on our website at www.sciencepodcastforkids.com We have more from our interview with Helena Buurman for our Patrons who pledge just $1/month or more. To listen, pledge today at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. For more volcano episodes, check out one of our favorites: “What Would Earth Be Like If Volcanoes Didn’t Exist?”
Reinventing The Wheel

15 min 29 May 2020

How would you reinvent something that’s been used for thousands of years, by millions of people? In this episode, we discover the process of invention with Rory Cooper, an engineer who revolutionized the wheelchair. He’s our guide to time traveling back to the kings and queens who used wheelchairs, and to the future of rideable robots. Anyone want a ride on a Mars rover?! Listen to more of our interview with Rory Cooper, when you
Tumble Presents: Stoopkids Stories

21 min 13 June 2020

Stoopkids Stories is a storytelling podcast about Black characters navigating and overcoming different obstacles with family, friends and community. It’s hosted and written by performer Melly Victor. This episode, called “The BB Twins” is all about dance. It’s about two twins who hit it big with a dance they upload to the internet. Their success opens a big new opportunity - but is it one they want to take? We hope you enjoy the story, and maybe it will start some important conversations! You can
Tumble Presents: Mystery Recipe

17 min 26 June 2020

Mystery Recipe is a children’s podcast about cooking from America’s Test Kitchen Kids. Hosted by Molly Birnbaum (our guest on “The Science of Smell”), the series is a journey through different ingredients, all leading up to a grand finale cook along! The recipe is a MYSTERY—will you be able to guess what it is? Today we’re featuring the first episode. If you like what you hear, the first season is
Announcing The Wildlife Of Your Home Podcourse!

2 min 17 July 2020

Join Tumble for a first-of-its-kind, interactive, educational audio experience. The Wildlife of Your Home Podcourse is a 10 episode series that will train you to become an indoor wildlife investigator - a rare kind of scientist! You’ll learn about ecosystems, by discovering the unknown creatures you wake up with every day. As you listen, you’ll be writing, observing, and getting on your hands and knees to explore. And best of all, you’ll be doing REAL SCIENCE - contributing to a worldwide scientific effort to study indoor ecosystems. The Wildlife of Your Home is coming to you this July, exclusively on the Himalaya Learning Platform. Himalaya Learning provides bite-sized courses from world-class thinkers and industry experts for you to enjoy in the app, on the go. Not only will you receive all of our premium episodes, but you’ll also have access to educational PDFs to guide and expand your discovery. To listen to this audio course and others like it, go to learning.himalaya.com/tumble and sign up to pre-enroll and get your early bird discount.
The Wildlife of Your Home Podcourse: The First Suspect

11 min 24 July 2020

We're so excited to share the first episode of The Wildlife of Your Home Podcourse with you! We think of it as a true crime science story, happening in your own home. But don't be scared - this is definitely a kid-friendly who-dunnit! The Wildlife of Your Home is an interactive, educational audio experience - based on one of our favorite episodes of Tumble! Join me and scientist Rob Dunn for a 10 part series that will show your home in a whole - new - way. You’ll meet fascinating creatures and solve the mystery of what lives inside your home. Better yet, you’ll get the tools to do real science - starting a journey that can continue long after you finish the course. If you’ve ever enjoyed hunting for bugs, this course is for you. Go to learning.himalaya.com/tumble and enter promo code TUMBLE at checkout to get your first 14 days free.
How to Become an Astronaut [ENCORE]

17 min 7 August 2020

New Tumble episodes are coming next month, in Season 6! For now, please enjoy one of our favorite episodes of Season 5, with NASA astronaut Dr. Serena Auñon-Chancellor. How do you become an astronaut? That’s what Tumble listener Margaret wants to know. We go straight to the source to get an answer: A NASA astronaut! Dr. Serena Auñon-Chancellor shares her journey to outer space with us. Starting from being a kid watching shuttle launches, to her school’s Astronaut Club, all the way to NASA’s Astronaut Candidate program, and finally to the International Space Station. Serena also shares the surprising truth about doing science research in space. Join us on her path to the stars!
The Rise of the Dinosaurs [ENCORE]

18 min 21 August 2020

Tumble will return with Season 6 in September! In the meantime, please enjoy one of our favorite episodes from Season 5. Craving new Tumble? Check out our brand new audio course on Himalaya Learning at himalaya.com/tumble! “The Wildlife Of Your Home” has new episodes every week. Use code TUMBLE at checkout for a free 14 day trial. “What’s the oldest dinosaur?” “How did dinosaurs come alive?” We tackle two listener questions in one epic story of dinosaur domination. Scientist Jessica Whiteside takes us back in time to the dawn of the dinosaurs, 230 million years ago. The story involves fascinating fossils, intense lava eruptions, climate craziness, and dinosaurs doubling in size. We’re going to find out what happened, and how scientists discovered it all. Hear more from our interview with Jessica Whiteside and discover the bizarre ancestor of the dinosaurs! You can listen to our bonus episode (and many more!) when you pledge just $1/month or more to support Tumble on Patreon, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Learn more about dino-tastic topics covered in the show on our blog, at sciencepodcastforkids.com.
Season 6 Starts September 18! + How To Keep Kids Engaged in Online Learning (For Parents!)

19 min 4 September 2020

All new episodes of Tumble are starting on Friday, September 18! We have a preview of what’s coming (for kids!) and helpful advice from a teacher (for parents!). Our co-host Marshall has been a teacher for almost 17 years. He’s putting together a podcast mini-series for parents on Patreon called, “Tumble Teaching Tips.” In this first episode, he answers a BIG question: “How do I keep my kid(s) engaged in online learning?” You’ll learn about two research-based ideas to keep your child motivated - both in school, and in life. We hope this gives Tumble families some tools to navigate this unusual school year. Marshall will be doing more “Tumble Teaching Tips” on our special Patreon feed. If you’d like to sign up to listen, and receive all our other great rewards, pledge $1 or more a month at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. We can’t wait to share what’s to come!
The Poop Collector

17 min 18 September 2020

If someone asked you to collect your poop every day for a year, would you say yes? That’s what microbiologist Lawrence David did, after watching a movie about a man who said yes to everything. Accepting the challenge led to a year of very stinky international adventures, turning Lawrence into the James Bond of poo. And, he loved every minute of it. Join us for the incredible story of a secretive project about the human microbiome. This is the first episode of Season 6, and we’re so glad to be back! We’ve got so many great science stories to share with you. Want to learn more about Lawrence and why we are what we eat? Watch curated videos, listen to related podcast episodes, and discover the cutting edge science on a blog for this episode at sciencepodcastforkids.com. Find out what Lawrence eats, and if he’s good at dealing with bad smells, in a special bonus episode for Patreon supporters. The answers will definitely surprise you. Just go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast and pledge just a dollar a month to hear it, and all our other scientist interviews.
The Case of the Sleeping Trees (Interactive Episode)

16 min 2 October 2020

Why do some trees go dormant? You’ll discover the answer for yourself in this interactive episode, with the help of tree scientist Nalini Nadkarni! Nalini has loved trees since she was little, and dreamed of inventing a special tree microphone to ask them questions. But she found the scientific process was a way to get answers, no special equipment needed. Nalini will guide you through making observations, asking questions, and discovering why trees shut down for the winter. Special resources for this episode are
The Snot and the Whale

17 min 16 October 2020

How do whales use their blowholes to breathe, and what keeps them from filling up with water? There’s no better way to find out than getting up close and personal with whales! That’s what marine mammal biologist Justine Hudson did when she collected whale snot from belugas. Snot or “blow” is the watery cloud that sprays up when whales exhale. Justine shares her incredible snotty adventure in the Arctic, and tells us how blowholes work. Want to watch beluga whales chasing a boat of scientists trying to collect their snot? We have a video from Justine herself, on the blog on our website! Plus, more educational resources about studying whales. Visit sciencepodcastforkids.com. Scientists have a few other surprising ways to study whales. Find out more in our bonus interview episode with Justine, available to Patreon subscribers for just $1 or more a month. Pledge today on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. During October 2020, pledges at $10/month or more get a special PuppetGram with our awesome puppet friends!
The Science of Candy Land

17 min 30 October 2020

Happy Halloween! We’re headed to Candy Land, a sugary laboratory where mathematicians found a mysterious candy dagger appear - over and over again. So gather up your candy box, and let’s discover out why mathematicians are studying candy to understand the real-life landscapes around us. Mathematician Leif Ristroph shares how he stumbled into making sweet experiments. Want to learn more about the reason behind Leif’s experiments? Listen to our bonus interview episode, available for Patrons at the $1/level a month or higher. Pledge now at Patreon.com/tumblepodcast! Visit our website to see photos and videos of the candy daggers, and find out what a stone forest looks like. Plus, follow Leif’s special recipe for “research-grade candy.” Check it out on the blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com!
What’s Inside of an Atom?

17 min 13 November 2020

What are protons, neutrons, and electrons made out of? That’s what listener Xander wants to know. Physics expert Aatish Bhatia takes us on a journey into the atom, and explains how scientists discover things that are too small to see. You’ll find out how Albert Einstein helped prove the existence of atoms, and why physicists smash particles like piñatas in massive tunnels. You can learn more about how particle colliders work in our interview with Aatish, available for Patrons who pledge at the $1/level or higher, on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. We have free resources
The Bacteria Cookbook

17 min 27 November 2020

Bacteria are among the simplest forms of life on Earth. Each cell is identical to the one next to it, sharing the same DNA. So why do they all act so differently? Turns out, there’s a “cookbook” inside each teeny tiny bacteria cell, and every single bacteria has different ideas about the recipes it wants to make. Mary Dunlop is a biological engineer who’s a creative cook both in the kitchen and the lab - and she’s cooking up her own experiment of science discovery. Watch Mary’s “cell movie” on the blog post on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com. It’s really cool to see! You can learn more about synthetic biology in our interview with Mary, available for Patrons who pledge at the $1/level or higher, on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. This episode is supported by the National Science Foundation under award number MCB 2032357.
The Coronavirus Vaccine Race

18 min 11 December 2020

How did scientists develop coronavirus vaccines in record time? New York Times science reporter Carl Zimmer is our guide to the coronavirus vaccine race - from the starting line, to the point when several teams are racing to the finish line. Find out how science gave the competitors a turbo boost that could save hundreds of millions of lives. The information in this episode is accurate as of its release on December 11, 2020. Looking for the latest vaccine information? Check out the links to the CDC, WHO, and Johns Hopkins University on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com. Learn more about coronavirus vaccines with Carl Zimmer, in our special bonus interview episode for Tumble patrons. Pledge today on Patreon for just $1/ month, to get access to all of our scientist interviews.
Our Favorite Holiday Tradition (with The Secret Life of Plants ENCORE)

18 min 25 December 2020

A log that poops presents? Find out about Lindsay and Marshall’s favorite holiday tradition, Tió de Nadal! Followed by one of Tumble’s favorite-ever episode, The Secret Life of Plants. We’ll be back with brand new episodes in January. Thank you for listening to Tumble this year! Happy Holidays and see you in 2021!
The Tale of The Hungry Koala [ENCORE]

23 min 8 January 2021

Tumble returns with all new episodes starting January 22! We’ll have stories about fossils, telescopes, and baby falcons getting into big trouble. How does a koala eat eucalyptus leaves? Eucalyptus is toxic to most animals, but they’re a koala’s only food. In this episode, we look past the cuddliness to discover how koalas manage to chow down on the Australian tree species. Biologist Michaela Blyton shares the story of how she convinced some extremely picky koalas to try new foods in the midst of a conservation crisis. Spoiler alert: It involves starting a koala hotel, and inventing a pill with an unusual ingredient.
How To Be a Fossil Fixer

16 min 22 January 2021

Do you love fossils and dinosaurs? Let us introduce you to Myria Perez, a paleontology-obsessed kid who grew up to get her dream job! Myria is a 24 year old fossil preparator, which means she prepares fossils to study and display in museums. She shares her journey of how a visit to her local museum set her on the path to follow her dino dreams. Myria is an If/Then Ambassador. IF/THEN seeks to further advance women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) by empowering current innovators and inspiring the next generation of pioneers. This episode is supported by an If/Then mini grant. Curious to learn more about Myria’s journey and her work? Listen to our bonus interview episode with her on Patreon! Available for Patrons who support Tumble at the $1/ level or higher! Pledge at patreon.com/tumblepodcast Get Myria’s email address, see photos of her work and awesome dino outfits, plus watch her favorite paleontology YouTube channel - all on the blog on our website, sciencepodcast.com. Our next episode is our 100th! We’re asking listeners to send messages to us to celebrate - and we may include them on this very special episode! Tell us your favorite moment or episode of Tumble, how you discovered us or how long you’ve been listening, whatever you want to tell us! Record a video or voice memo and send it to tumblepodcast@gmail.com.
Do Trees Fart?

19 min 5 February 2021

Do trees fart? It’s a question that stumped scientists, and sends us on a journey to some serious science! Come with us as we ponder if trees are butts, whether farts are defined by gas or digestive systems, and why “even the smallest fart counts.” You’ll meet Mary Heskel, a plant biologist who wonders if she’s accidentally been studying tree farts, and Melinda Martinez, who studies climate change and identifies as a tree fart scientist. You’ll also hear from Tumble fans celebrating the fact that THIS IS OUR 100th ORIGINAL EPISODE! From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for listening! We hope you’ll stick around for the next hundred science stories! Listen to our bonus interview episode about tree fart research with Melinda Martinez, available to Patrons who pledge $1/month on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Find more resources (including tree farts being set on fire!) on the blog about this episode on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.
The Bird and The Balloon Telescope

18 min 19 February 2021

What happens when a baby falcon meets a balloon telescope in an old Wild West town? An astrophysics animal adventure, of course! Erika Hamden is an astrophysicist who’s attempting to launch a space balloon telescope called FIREBall, an experiment to study distant galaxies. But her mission to the stratosphere leads her to wild nature, when a baby falcon falls out of its nest and onto the telescope. It turns out, launches don't always go as planned. To learn more about Erika and FIREBall, listen to our bonus interview episode on Patreon! It’s available to Tumble fans who pledge just $1 or more a month. Pledge today at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Plus, there are free educational resources for this episode on our blog, at sciencepodcastforkids.com.
Music Meets Science

17 min 5 March 2021

What happens when a scientist is also a musician? For Barbara McClintock, the combination may have led the way to a Nobel Prize in genetics. Science historian Jocelyn Bosley tells us the story of Barbara’s remarkable life, and how her experience playing banjo in a jazz band (yes) helped her discover “jumping genes.” This is a very musical episode, with special guest jazz banjoist Mick Sullivan of The Past & The Curious! We highly recommend his history podcast. Want to hear more from our interview with Jocelyn? Listen to our exclusive interview episode on Patreon, available to those who pledge just $1 or more a month! We have more resources to learn about Barbara McClintock on our website, as well as links to Jocelyn’s podcast, Science! With Friends. Just go to sciencepodcastforkids.com!
Whooo Are Owls?

19 min 19 March 2021

What are the origins of owls, and why do they stay up at night? We answer questions from two owl-curious Tumble listeners. with the help of Harvard ornithologist Dr. Scott Edwards. He takes us on a journey starting in the time of the dinosaurs, to unravel the secrets of what made owls WHOOOO they are today. This episode is brought to you with support from Turing Tumble! (Note: No relation to our podcast.) Turing Tumble is an educational game where players build marble-powered computers to solve puzzles - with no screens necessary! Marshall and Lindsay tried it out with their son, and genuinely love it. Go to turingtumble.com/tumble to see how it works. Enter code TUMBLE for 10% off your order. Learn more about owls with Scott Edwards, in our bonus interview episode! It’s available to Patrons who pledge just $1/month. Support Tumble today at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Check out the bird family tree, and then draw your own version! It’s on our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com, along with other free educational resources. Click here to watch Marshall & Wingo’s “True or Poo” game show with Tumble listener Orla!
What If Fish Had Legs?

16 min 2 April 2021

Fish with legs? Crazy, right? Turns out, fish with legs are a lot more real than you might think! We teamed up with What If World, one of our favorite storytelling podcasts, to answer this question both scientifically and creatively! In our “science version,” we consult with the funniest fish biologist you’ll ever meet, Solomon David. He’s obsessed with creating puns for gars, the prehistoric fish that he studies. And he explains why fish are the reason that we have legs! Plus, you’ll meet fish that can “walk” on land. It’s nuts. On April 5 - three days after this episode is released - you’ll want to tune into fellow kidcast What If World to hear Marshall and Lindsay guest-star in a story about their pet gar who grows legs and puts them in a tank! It’s the “creative version” of the story, and What If World’s 200th episode! Wait, want more science? Listen to the bonus interview episode with Solomon David, when you support Tumble at the $1 level or higher on Patreon. You’ll also get an ad-free feed! Pledge at patreon.com/tumble podcast. We’ll also have videos of gars, amphibious fish, and images of Tiktaalik on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.
How To Name A Galaxy

18 min 16 April 2021

How do you get a galaxy named for you? In this episode, we learn about the incredible life of Burçin Mutlu-Pakdil, who discovered a new type of galaxy now known as “Burçin’s Galaxy.” Since she was young, Burçin dreamed of studying the stars as an astrophysicist. But she faced many challenges to getting an education, because of what she wanted to wear. Burçin was determined to both be true to her beliefs, and become a scientist. Find out how she did it, and made a huge discovery that changes the way we think about the universe. Hear more from Burcin about her work on dark matter! Listen to our special bonus interview episode available for patrons who pledge $1 or more a month on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Visit the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com, for more resources on this episode including videos, photos, and links to more galaxy science.
Time Machine Animal Safari

1 hr 19 min 9 July 2021

How did some animals start to walk on land? Why were dinosaurs so huge? What did our primate ancestors look like? Let’s dive into this special road-trip edition of Tumble, a safari through animal evolution. Your tour guides have put together some of their favorite episodes about evolution and their time traveling jeep will take you waaaaaaay back in time. Now buckle up, because it's gonna be a bumpy ride! This road trip episode includes: What if Fish Had Legs? Rise of the Dinosaurs Whooooo are Owls? The Skull of the Ancient Primate Decoding Dog DNA
Yoga Kids Adventure - A new yoga podcast from Tumble Media!

3 min 16 July 2021

From the makers of Tumble, meet Yoga Kids Adventure - the first ever yoga podcast for kids! Lindsay and Marshall give a sneak of our brand new yoga podcast in this mini-episode. Yoga Kids Adventure host and kids’ yoga teacher Kathryn invites young yogis to join her on creative journeys through movement. Stretch out with a morning swim at the beach, or calm your body before bedtime in a cozy bear cave. Wiggle with wild animals on a safari or lift off from your chair as you breathe and bend among the stars. Subscribe and go on your first yoga adventure, wherever you listen to Tumble! Check out the website at yogapodcastforkids.com. Return to these routines as many times as you want, and do them anywhere that you want! This podcast brings free family yoga to you in your living room, classroom, and even outdoors.
Tumble Presents: Yoga Kids Adventure

17 min 23 July 2021

Tumble Media has a new podcast, Yoga Kids Adventure! Lindsay and Marshall share why we decided to make a yoga podcast for kids, and how to use the show! Then, try out our first episode. It's a trip to the beach! With Yoga Kid Adventures, you can do yoga from anywhere! All you need is your ears, your imagination, and a safe place to move. In today’s adventure, we’ll salute the sun, splash in the waves, and spot some ocean animals. Get ready to stretch your imagination and your body. You can
Science Pirates Road Trip

1 hr 19 min 6 August 2021

Arrrrr! Join two of our favorite pirates on an adventure across the seven seas of science. In this ocean-themed road trip compilation, you'll hear a bunch of our favorite ocean episodes. Whether it's going on a deep-sea expedition with the JOIDES resolution, attending the largest whale shark party in the world, or collecting whale snot with tiny robots, this episode will take you all over the world's oceans. This road trip episode includes: The Expedition of the Science Ship The Snot and the Whale The Science of Whiskers The Voyage of the Ocean Trash with Jenni Brandon The Case of the Whale Shark Party
The Poop Collector [ENCORE]

19 min 20 August 2021

Tumble will return with all new episodes for Season 7, starting September 17! In the meantime, enjoy one of our favorite episodes of Season 6. If someone asked you to collect your poop every day for a year, would you say yes? That’s what microbiologist Lawrence David did, after watching a movie about a man who said yes to everything. Accepting the challenge led to a year of very stinky international adventures, turning Lawrence into the James Bond of poo. And, he loved every minute of it. Join us for the incredible story of a secretive project about the human microbiome. Want to learn more about Lawrence and why we are what we eat? Watch curated videos, listen to related podcast episodes, and discover the cutting edge science on a blog for this episode at sciencepodcastforkids.com. Find out what Lawrence eats, and if he’s good at dealing with bad smells, in a special bonus episode for Patreon supporters. The answers will definitely surprise you. Just go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast and pledge just a dollar a month to hear it, and all our other scientist interviews.
What's Inside of An Atom? [ENCORE]

18 min 3 September 2021

We’re only two weeks away from starting our new season, with all new episodes, on September 17! We’re putting the finishing touches on the first episode as we speak, and we can’t wait to share it with you. But for now, enjoy one of our most favorite episodes about what everything in the universe is made of. What are protons, neutrons, and electrons made out of? That’s what listener Xander wants to know. Physics expert Aatish Bhatia takes us on a journey into the atom, and explains how scientists discover things that are too small to see. You’ll find out how Albert Einstein helped prove the existence of atoms, and why physicists smash particles like pinatas in massive tunnels. Learn more about this episode on the blog on our website.
Tumble Season 7 Starts September 17!

2 min 13 September 2021

Tumble's seventh season is coming at you THIS FRIDAY! Here's a little taste of what's in store. While you're waiting, why don't you share Tumble with a friend instead of anxiously refreshing your podcast app all week? Just send them your favorite Tumble episode, show them how to
A Special Culinary Road Trip Adventure!

1 hr 24 min 24 June 2022

Join Marshall out to eat as we share this special road trip fun pack of Tumble episodes having to do with food! This collection of five classic Tumble episodes includes: The Science of your Favorite Foods The Tale of the Hungry Koala The Science of Smell The Bacteria Cookbook The Jack O’Lantern Science Mystery Buckle up and enjoy this great selection of episodes.
TUMBLE PRESENTS: Tai Asks Why

32 min 8 July 2022

Since Lindsay and Marshall are on a break for the summer, we thought we'd share with you one of our favorite other podcasts! We present to you: Tai Asks Why. Fifteen-year-old Tai Poole won’t rest until he’s uncovered the mysteries of the universe, one probing question at a time. In Season 4 of his Webby-winning podcast, Tai talks to everyone from NASA scientists to stand-up comedians to his equally curious little brother. If you’ve ever wondered what we can do when we’re anxious or if we’re alone in the universe, Tai has you covered. More episodes are
Road Trip: Journey to the Center of Your Brain

1 hr 7 min 22 July 2022

Join Marshall on a fantastic adventure to the center of the human brain. In this road trip adventure pack, we've put together four classic episodes of Tumble for your listening enjoyment. Learn all about the wonders of the human brain in these episodes: Do Dreams Have Meaning? (20min) Why Words? How we learn language (16min) The Magic Memory Molecule (20min) The Science of Colors Dive deep, and enjoy this selection of great episodes.
Tumble Presents: Cereal

24 min 5 August 2022

Tumble presents one of our favorite podcasts from RTÉjr Radio: Cereal! Deception, Mystery and so much more in “Cereal” RTÉjr Radio’s (not really) True Crime Podcast for all the family. Picture the scene. A brand new TV talent show for kids called “The Novice”. Middle Grade students battle it out to get funding and promotion for their mini company on the national stage. The candidates? Fergus, an ambitious eco-warrior who’s invented “The Bog Log” a product that turns your poop into compost for your garden. Xander, a tech whizkid who’s dreamt up the “Homework Helper”, an App that literally does your homework for you. Brother and Sister Duo PJ and Clara, forced to enter by their teacher in place of detention, have conjured a colour changing Mood Ring. And Aoife and Katie, best buds for life cooked up the product that gives this podcast it’s name. Crunch Ems; a Cereal bar treat that’s truly healthy and tastes like a dream. Four perfect products. But all is not what it seems. When the show goes sideways a tale of blackmail and intrigue is revealed. And who better to chart it in his own podcast but 15 year old Rian, runner on The Novice and budding TY podcast presenter. Ryan Tubridy cameos as himself, a veteran broadcast adviser to the young podcast host. And amateur sleuth in his own right. Across 6 episodes Rian takes the listener on a complex journey of discovery to unveil the truth behind the scandal. Find Cereal on on the RTÉ website, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Dinosaur Road Trip Adventure

1 hr 11 min 19 August 2022

Join Marshall for our final Road Trip adventure of the summer, as we travel back to the age of the dinosaurs! We'll be sharing a bunch of our favorite episodes about everyone's prehistoric creatures. In this collection, you'll find: The Rise of the Dinosaurs How to Be a Fossil Fixer The Call of the Antarctic Dinosaur with Julia Clarke The Dinosaur Asteroid You'll also get to help Marshall repair his broken time machine with some Dino-trivia questions after each episode. Enjoy! Support Tumble on Patreon: patreon.com/tumblepodcast
The Biggest Space Telescope in the Universe (UPDATE!)

21 min 2 September 2022

Hear sounds created from images by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, in this updated episode! The biggest space telescope in the universe had a busy summer, wowing us with incredible images of the cosmos like we've never seen before. But it took a lot of work to get there! Learn about it in this episode, originally released in December 2021. Hear more Webb sound here. Watch the launch here. See Webb's first images here. How do you launch the largest space telescope ever built into space? The James Webb Space Telescope will travel 1.5 million miles away from Earth to help answer some of our biggest questions about the universe. But first, it has to be launched on a rocket - and the telescope is too big to fit on a rocket. So NASA decided to fold it up - and then unfold it in space. How? NASA scientist Knicole Colón and NASA engineer Alphonso Stewart take us on a journey through the world’s biggest origami project. We have big news to share about Season 8 next week, so keep your ears out for the trailer!
Gas Busters - Life Lab, Pt. 5

20 min 14 October 2022

If there’s too much gas in the atmosphere, who you gonna call? Gas Busters! Find out how a bacteria from a rabbit’s gut could help fight climate change, in our final episode of Life Lab. This episode features Dr. Ryan Tappel of LanzaTech, and a song collaboration with Basho Mosko, of Basho & Friends! You can find a transcript and other educational materials about this episode on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com. Life Lab is supported by the Engineering Biology Research Consortium, a non-profit committed to educating the next-generation and building a community dedicated to solving big challenges with engineering biology. Funded by the National Science Foundation. Find more of Basho’s educational music here.
Thanksgiving Road Trip - Making a Difference

50 min 23 November 2022

In this special road-trip collection of Tumble episodes, you'll hear all about scientists who are making a difference in their communities. This episode pack contains: How to be Helping Scientist Reinventing the Wheel What to do about Trash? If you're a teacher and you want to participate in our group of teacher advisors, please follow this link to apply:
Winter Road Trip Adventure!

1 hr 23 December 2022

Join Marshall as he treks through a blizzard to find a warm spot by the fire, and listen to these great winter-themed episodes of Tumble. In this Road Trip Pack, you'll hear these episodes: The Great Seal Count The People of the Snow The Power of Pika Scientists The Volcanic Eruption Adventure Whether you're curled up by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa or out on a snow-shoe trek through the wilderness, enjoy these great episodes about science in the snow!
The Science of Butts [ENCORE]

20 min 6 January 2023

This is a re-broadcast of one of our most popular episodes of season 7, The Science of Butts! What is a butt? That’s what science journalist Katherine Wu wanted to know. Her quest for an answer leads her into a web of big butt questions, and a search to find the top butt scientists in the world. She discovers a debate over where butts come from, and a very strange butt that could rewrite the annals of butt history. This episode features an original song called, “Sometimes Butt.” Trust us, it’s a fun one! (And yes, we say the word “butt” and other butt-related words a lot.) Can’t get enough of butt science? There’s plenty more! Listen to a bonus interview episode with Katherine Wu, available to Patrons who support Tumble at a level of $1 a month or more. You’ll get access to an ad-free feed with all our bonus episodes, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast This episode is based on Katherine’s article, “The Body’s Most Embarrassing Organ is an Evolutionary Marvel.” Find more butt science resources on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com. Tumble en Español, our Spanish-language show, has new episodes starting January 27th! Check out that feed at here.
Special Road Trip - Life Lab

1 hr 32 min 30 June 2023

This special Road Trip edition of Tumble includes all five episodes of our Life Lab series, back to back! Listen to hear how scientists are using tiny life to go to Mars, solve climate change, make better clothes, and much, much more. Life Lab explores the incredible power of a new technology you probably haven’t heard of. This technology could solve some of the biggest challenges on our planet, and beyond. But with great power, comes great responsibility. We ask important questions about whether it could - or should - change our future. Thank you to our sponsor Kids’ Chemical Solutions and their chemistry comic book series filled with colorful characters and exciting storylines. Order now at www.kidschemicalsolutions.com. Check out our Tumble merch here: https://tumblepodcast.threadless.com/ Become a Spotify subscriber:
Presenting The Ten News: Making Changes to Major League Baseball ⚾

20 min 7 July 2023

About The Ten News The Ten News podcast explores topics that kids care about most including events, sports, science, gaming, pop culture, entertainment, and more! It’s a great way for you and your family to stay connected with what’s going on in the world. The Ten News also features some pretty awesome guests; LEGO Masters Judge Amy Corbett, America’s top doctor Dr. Anthony Fauci, Sarah Natochenny, the voice of Ash Ketchum for Pokemon fans, and many more. Our episodes are all about staying kind, cool, and curious. We hope you enjoy listening to The Ten News! Say hi at hello@thetennews.com Instagram - https://
Tumble is Bilingual! “The Dinosaur Asteroid” & “El Asteroide Que Mató Los Dinosaurios”

38 min 21 July 2023

Did you know that you can listen to Tumble in Spanish?! Tumble en Español is our Spanish podcast, hosted by native Spanish speakers Nuria Net and Alvaro Ramos. It’s an adaptation, not a translation! Meet Nuria in this episode and learn Tumble en Español’s special sign-off. Then, listen to one of our favorite episodes in both English and Spanish. To hear more,
The Cave of the Neanderthal Tools [ENCORE]

19 min 4 August 2023

We're still on vacation, and while we wait to come back for our ninth season of Tumble Science Podcast for Kids, we're sharing one of our favorite episodes from a few years ago: The Cave of the Neanderthal Tools. What tools did Neanderthals use? That’s what Leo wants to know. We dig into the past of Neanderthal archeology, back to when people used to excavate caves with dynamite! Archeologist and author Rebecca Wragg Sykes shares the explosive story of how Neanderthals made tools, and what they can tell us about how Neanderthals lived. Listen to our bonus interview episode with Rebecca about Neanderthals caves, available for Patrons who pledge just $1/ month or more on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Learn more about Neanderthals and their “knapping” habits with the free resources on our blog at
Tumble Presents Girl Tales

31 min 18 August 2023

Do you ever wonder what would happen if Cinderella started her own rock band or if Medusa realized just cool her hair was? Well … there’s a Webby Award winning show called Girl Tales that takes classic stories and puts a unique twist on them, giving girls the chance to save the day, use their intelligence and bravery, and show that they can be the heroes of their own stories! If you're ready for an adventure, find Girl Tales wherever you get your podcasts! Meema (or Memory) and her sisters run the most successful inspiration factory in the universe: The Idea Factory! In the Idea Factory, they don't make money, they make ideas! Meema wants to tell you a story (that's never-ended) about Narcissus & little black mirrors that make everyone just like him, obsessed with themselves and what the mirror reflects back at them! This Girl Tales episode won the Variety/Gotham Audio Honors in 2022. Written by Georgina Escobar Starring: Barron Bass, Jennifer Sun Bell, Adriana Colon, & Mindy Escobar-Leanse Produced by Chad Chenail Assistant Produced by Megan Bagala Executive Produced by Rebecca Cunningham
The Great Cave Road Trip

54 min 1 September 2023

Join Marshall on a Cave Road Trip! On Season 8’s last road trip, you’ll find cave-themed episodes of Tumble, featuring bats and archaeology! Avoid the stalagmites and tune in to these fun episodes: The Journey to the Bat Cave Inside the Bat Cave [BONUS] The Cave of the Underground Astronauts The Cave of The Neanderthal Tools Free resources, including a transcript for each episode, are
Coming September 15th - Tumble Season 9!

2 min 12 September 2023

A new season of Tumble is coming soon! Have you ever wondered whether dinosaurs burped? Or where the largest fungus collection in the world is? Or how braille was invented? Learn that and more in the newest season of Tumble! Also, if you love our show, make sure to tell three people you know about how awesome you think it is. It really helps us out!
How Do Toilets Work? [ENCORE]

22 min 22 November 2023

When you have to go, where does it go? That’s what our listener Ellie wants to know. Prepare for potty humor and science as we hear from civil engineer and toilet expert Francis de los Reyes! Who invented the toilet? And what’s “The Great Stink?” We’ll be plunging into the past, present, and future of flushing to discover how toilets don’t just save us from stinky smells - they save lives. Thanks so much to KiwiCo for sponsoring this episode. If you want to get 50% off your first month of any crate, go to kiwico.com/TUMBLE.
Do Aliens Exist? [ENCORE]

22 min 8 December 2023

Our 150th episode is coming up! To celebrate, we’re doing a quiz show with trivia from all 9 seasons of Tumble! Get entered to be on the show: Sign up now to become a Tumble Patreon on patreon.com/tumblepodcast, and tell us why you would make a great contestant! (Microphone licking not required.) How likely is it that we’ll find intelligent alien life on other planets? Are there extraterrestrial civilizations that we could contact - or that could contact us? And what would these aliens be like? We’re going to try to answer these big questions with the help of two scientists, and a very famous math equation. We have free resources
Do Dreams Have Meaning? [ENCORE]

21 min 21 December 2023

Happy Holidays! If you would like to help support Tumble and get a last-minute holiday gift, consider becoming a Patreon member! Pledge your support on Patreon.com/tumblepodcast to get access to ad-free episodes, bonus interview extras, and your very own shoutout! Before we go away on break, we’re sharing one of our favorite episodes: “Do Dreams Have Meaning?”. Join neuroscientist Sidarta Ribeiro as we unveil the fascinating history of dreams and witness how science revolutionized their interpretation forever. From ancient gods to Freud's couch, we'll discover how an 8-year-old boy contributed to a major scientific breakthrough, all while asleep. Learn three steps to unlock the meaning of your own dreams before drifting off to Dreamland. Sweet dreams!
The Cave of the Underground Astronauts

19 min 7 June 2024

This is a summer encore episode of one of our favorite episodes from Season 4 of Tumble! Do you love fossils, adventure, and spending time in small spaces? If so, you could become an underground astronaut! Marina Elliot, Becca Peixotto, and Kenni Molopyane found this unusual job description through a Facebook ad, and landed deep inside a cave that few people can access. The team of archeologists talked to Tumble in the middle of excavating Homo Naledi, one of the biggest recent discoveries on the human family tree. Find out how they squeeze through a 7 inch gap on their daily commute, and how their work could change the way we understand early human history. If you want to vote on Tumble's next re-broadcast for the summer, go to https://bit.ly/SummerTravelPoll and vote! While you're there, think about subscribing at the $5 level or higher to get birthday shout outs, interview extras, and more!
The Kid Scientists' Galapagos Adventure

20 min 21 June 2024

This is an encore of one of our favorite episodes from Season 5! If you'd like to help us choose our next episode, go to our Patreon and VOTE! You don't have to pledge to support us in order to vote, but if you do we'd appreciate it a ton! What’s it like to be a kid doing experiments in one of the most famous science places in the world? Oscar and Mae Johnson were nine and twelve when they traveled to the Galapagos Islands with their scientist dad. The Galapagos are isolated tropical islands made famous by Charles Darwin, who came up with the theory of evolution based on his research there. Mae and Oscar followed in Darwin’s footsteps. With help from their parents, they conducted their own research and got it published in a scientific journal - a big deal for scientists of every age! Hear Mae and Oscar tell their own story of science discovery in this episode. See photos of Oscar and Mae doing their experiment on our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com! We also have more resources to learn about the Galapagos there. Want to learn more about Mae and Oscar’s great science adventure and experiments? We have a special bonus interview episode available for our Patrons. Just pledge $1/month for this and all our scientist interviews at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.
The Science of Candyland

20 min 5 July 2024

Happy Halloween! We’re headed to Candy Land, a sugary laboratory where mathematicians found a mysterious candy dagger appear - over and over again. So gather up your candy box, and let’s discover out why mathematicians are studying candy to understand the real-life landscapes around us. Mathematician Leif Ristroph shares how he stumbled into making sweet experiments. Want to learn more about the reason behind Leif’s experiments? Listen to our bonus interview episode, available for Patrons at the $1/level a month or higher. Pledge now at Patreon.com/tumblepodcast! We have Leif’s special recipe for “research-grade candy” on our website. Check it out on the blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com! Want to see Lindsay and Marshall perform LIVE at the Foundry in West Stockbridge, MA? Go get tickets here.
The Science of Bubbles

19 min 19 July 2024

This is an encore episode, picked by our Patreon supporters. If you want to go vote for our next encore, just go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast to go vote! You don't have to be a patreon supporter to vote, but it does help! Why do bubbles pop, and why do bubbles have shadows? We’re in double bubble trouble with two listener questions. Luckily, Dr. Bubbles is here to save the day! We’ll find out how a normal, everyman physicist named Justin Burton became a superhero bubble scientist, on a quest to make a scientifically proven recipe for giant bubbles. Along the way, we’ll discover the answers to our listeners’ bubbling curiosity. Hear from the inventor of edible bubbles, Li Wei Tan, in a bonus interview episode
Hearing the Stars

26 min 2 August 2024

This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from Season 8! This was voted on by our patrons on Patreon--if you want to help us pick our next AND FINAL REBROADCAST OF THE SUMMER--just go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast and vote. You don't have to be a supporter to vote, but we'd appreciate it if you were! Can we hear and touch the stars, if we can’t see them? Yuma Decaux is trying to put the night sky into everyone’s hands, through technology and engineering. Find out how stargazing captured Yuma’s imagination when he was six, and how losing his sight inspired him to explore the cosmos in a whole new way - making astronomy accessible to everyone. Astreos, Yuma’s app, is currently in Beta. That means that when you try it out, you can give Yuma feedback on how to make it better! Download it on iOs here: https://astreos.space/ Listen to our bonus interview episode with Yuma to learn more about how he developed Astreos and what accessibility means to him. You can hear it when you
Do Bugs Have Elbows?

20 min 16 August 2024

This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from the past. Do bugs have elbows? That’s what Clare wants to know. Her question starts a debate between Team Bug Arms and Elbows, and Team Bug Legs and Knees! Choose a side, and come on the trail of a bug bod mystery with superstar entomologist and dragonfly specialist Jessica Ware. Turns out, dragonflies are a lot weirder (and ancient!) than you might think! Hear more from our interview with Jessica! Check out our bonus interview episode, available to patrons who
What Do Dogs Think?

22 min 30 August 2024

“Do dogs think and feel the way we do?” We all know dogs can’t talk. That’s why scientists have to come up with creative ways of asking our canine companions what’s going on in their minds. We’ll find out why dog cognition scientist Zachary Silver put on a play for dogs - which inspired us to create Tumble’s very first dog radio theater production! Just call us “The Tumble Dog Players.” It will all make sense by the end of the episode. This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from Season 8. We hope you enjoyed it! It was selected as a rebroadcast favorite by our supporters on Patreon, and if you want to vote on future events or hear more on our bonus interview episodes, just go
The Swift Quake

29 min 27 November 2024

This is a re-airing of our award-winning episode The Swift Quake! This episode won the AAAS Kavli Silver Medal Award for excellence in Children's Science News, as well as a Signal Award for kid's podcasts. Give it a listen! How do you think a stadium full of Taylor Swift fans would shake the earth? Tumble enters the Swiftiverse with Jackie Caplan-Auerbach, the scientist who discovered the “Swift Quake” - a type of earthquake created by fans at Taylor Swift concerts. Find out who really “shakes it off” - when it comes to music and seismic energy. If you'd like to support Tumble, there's more than one way to do it! You can
The Great Seal Count

18 min 20 December 2024

Happy holidays! This is a rebroadcast of our chilly Season 7 episode, The Great Seal Count. How do you count the cutest seals on the planet? With the help from thousands of people around the world! Conservation scientist Leo Salas explains the story behind the first-ever global count of Weddell seals in Antarctica. Plus, you’ll find out what counting seals shares with searching for ancient tombs! Learn more about Weddell seals in our special bonus episode with Dr. Leo Salas, available to Tumble Patrons who pledge just $1 or more a month - along with an ad-free episode feed! Support us today at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. We’ll have free resources to learn more about Weddell seals (or the ‘widdle Weddells’) on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com. Do you speak Spanish, or are you a Spanish language learner?
The Polar Bear Adventure

21 min 3 January 2025

Happy New Year! This is a rebroadcast of “Polar Bear Adventure” from Season 8! Join us on an Arctic adventure as we head out onto the sea ice with a polar bear scientist! Andrew Derocher shares exciting stories of flying in helicopters, getting bit by a polar bear cub, and discovering how polar bears are surviving in a warming world. Andrew explains what happens when polar bears move into human towns, in the bonus interview episode. It’s available to Patrons who pledge just a dollar or more a month on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Teachers! Find a toolkit to share polar bear science with students, on the World Wildlife Fund’s WildClassroom.org. A transcript for this episode and other resources are
Tumble Sonic Saturday May 10th! Featuring the Science of Ocean Sounds

24 min 9 May 2025

🎉 We’re getting ready for our biggest live event ever — Sonic Saturday! It’s a day of science, sound, and storytelling in Brooklyn, NY on May 10, and we’re celebrating by rebroadcasting one of the episodes that inspired it all: The Science of Ocean Sounds. 🌊🔊 Come join us (and special guest Dan Saks from Noodle Loaf!) for two interactive shows, hands-on science, and live demos from amazing STEM educators — including accessible science activities for blind and low-vision communities. RSVP ⁠now⁠! And if you can’t be there in person, don’t worry — we’ll have a recording available soon. Explore the sounds of ocean science on a sound scavenger hunt! Tune in as oceanographer Amy Bower takes us to the sea, to show us how she uses sound to study ocean currents and make ocean science accessible for blind and visually impaired people. Listen up and help us search for clues beneath the waves to reveal the secrets of the underwater realm! Ocean data sonifications courtesy of Dr. Jon Bellona at Oregon State University, and the Accessible Oceans project. Learn more about Dr. Amy Bower in our bonus interview episode, available to Patrons who pledge just $1 or more a month to support Tumble, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. We have free resources to keep exploring the world of ocean science and data sonification with Amy Bower. They’re on the blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com, along with a free transcript. This episode is the first in a series featuring blind scientists. The material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number # 2148711 - Engaging Blind, Visually Impaired, and Sighted Students in STEM with Storytelling through Podcasts. ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ We're also launching a fundraiser! Go visit our donation page ⁠here⁠ to make a tax deductible donation, support your favorite joke tournament contestant, and maybe even win some cool prizes!
Did Dinosaurs Burp?

25 min 23 May 2025

To support the Tumble Joke-ha-thon and win awesome prizes, go here! “Did dinosaurs burp?” Tune into our Season 9 premiere to find out the answer to this stinky question. We’ll hear about dino gasses from returning guest Jessica Whiteside and their potential ecological impact from David Wilkinson. Our dive into dinosaur digestion will lead us to a smelly look at gas in Earth’s past! Listen to our bonus interview episode with Dave to learn more about how he studies the past without a time machine. You can hear it when you support us for just $1 on Spotify or on Patreon on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Free resources, including a transcript, are
The Plastic Pollution Patrol

20 min 6 June 2025

What if you found out that there was a tiny, nearly invisible type of plastic pollution that’s found nearly everywhere… but you’d never heard of it! That’s what happened to environmental scientist Jace Tunnell several years ago, and he’s been on a great nurdle hunt ever since! This episode on fighting plastic waste comes with a special bonus: the opportunity to enroll in a “Nurdle Patrol” and lead the Nurdle search in your community! Join the Nurdle Patrol Special Agent Training Course at sciencepodcastforkids.com/nurdles If you want to support Tumble on Patreon, just go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Ad-free early access to episodes is just $1/month, and for just $5/month you can get a birthday shout out on our feed! T-shirts and other merch (including merch specific to this episode) are
The Volcanic Eruption Adventure

19 min 27 June 2025

Would you fly to the top of a volcano that’s about to erupt at any moment? Volcanologist Helena Buurman did, and survived to tell the tale! In 2008, Helena was monitoring Mount Redoubt in Alaska, when the ground beneath the volcano began to shake. What follows is a tale of volcanic adventure, involving earthquakes, helicopters, and a massive eruption! Tumble is on our summer break right now, working on some exciting new projects. Stay tuned to hear them in our feed! We invite you to invent your own volcano! Find resources to learn more about volcano warning signs and eruptions, on our website at www.sciencepodcastforkids.com We have more from our interview with Helena Buurman for our Patrons who pledge just $1/month or more. To listen, pledge today at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.
Summer Episode: Science Songs and Games!

41 min 11 July 2025

Listen to our brand new album of science songs, and play some games along with us as we celebrate the release of our album: Science Songs Vol. 1! It’s a special summer episode that will get you singing along and testing your knowledge of everything from capybaras to planets! Here’s where you can listen to the full album: Spotify: Listen on Spotify Apple Music: Listen on Apple Music Bandcamp:
Mailbag: Why are four leaf clovers rare? Can one side of our brain fall asleep? Why do fish have different colors? How big is infinity?

29 min 25 July 2025

Do you know why four leaf clovers are so rare? Or if just one side of our brain can fall asleep? Why do fish have different colors, and how big is infinity? Lindsay & Marshall dig into the Tumble mailbag to answer listener questions with the help of Tumble’s science advisors, and respond to reviews! (Yes, we’ll talk about cats.) We want to hear from you! Send us YOUR science questions, and let us know what you think of this mailbag episode! Here’s how to do it: Email Lindsay & Marshall at tumblepodcast@gmail.com Upload a voice recording on our website sciencepodcastforkids.com Donate to Central Texas Flood Relief: bit.ly/tumbletexasfloods Support Tumble on Patreon: patreon.com/tumblepodcast Stream Science Songs Vol. 1 here!
How Big is the Universe?

24 min 8 August 2025

This is a summer rebroadcast of an episode of Tumble from a few years ago. How big is the universe? And how do we know? It's a question that puzzled astronomers for centuries. They had no way to measure distance in space - until Henrietta Leavitt showed them how. Henrietta Leavitt was a "computer" in the 19th century, before there were computers, and she made an incredible discovery that would help change the way people thought about the universe - forever. Modern-day astronomer Karen Masters helps us tell her remarkable story. If you like this episode, you'll love our free audio course, "Cataloging the Universe" where you'll learn much more about how Henrietta Leavitt's discovery made a big difference in astronomy - plus, you'll become a skywatcher yourself! "Cataloging the Universe" is more than a podcast. It’s interactive! Each episode - or lesson - in the series contains activities to complete while you listen. Plus, you’ll get discussion questions, graphic organizers, and a star journal to keep your observations in. Check out the series and download all the resources at ⁠our website⁠! Hear more from Karen Masters in the bonus interview episode available to Patrons, when you pledge just $1 a month or more on our ⁠Patreon⁠ to support the show! We have free resources
Mailbag: What state of matter is fire? What's the science of asking good questions?

24 min 22 August 2025

Is fire a liquid, a solid, or is it even matter at all? And what is the science of asking good questions? Lindsay and Marshall dig into the Tumble mailbag to answer listener questions with the help of Tumble's science advisors, and respond to reviews! Somehow, the whole "cats are evil" thing just refuses to die. We want to hear from you! Send us YOUR science questions, and let us know what you think of this mailbag episode! Here's how to do it: Email Lindsay & Marshall at tumblepodcast@gmail.com Upload a voice recording on our website sciencepodcastforkids.com Want to support Tumble on Patreon? Go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast, and for a limited time you can get 75% off the first month using the code BTS2025 at check out! You can also stream Science Songs vol. 1 here, or find the album on Bandcamp here. Our merch store is tumblepodcast.dashery.com, where you can find the bird jacket t-shirt!
Tumble Newsflash: Yoto Cards, Audiobook, & Your Plant Questions!

27 min 5 September 2025

There’s so much happening in the world of Tumble, and we’re excited to share it all with you! Plus we answer questions about plants with the help of plant biologist Carina Baskett. Tumble Yoto Cards A brand-new pack of 3 cards with Tumble episodes on our most popular themes - Animals, Bugs, and Gross Science - for the Yoto audio player! Get it 20% off during Yoto’s Back to School sale on educational cards: https://us.yotoplay.com/products/animal-facts-critter-curiosities-gross-science-pack Tumble Science in the Field: Europe Our first ever audiobook featuring science adventure episodes in Europe! Find it where you get your audiobooks: Audible , Libro.fm , Hoopla , Audiobooks.com , and more!! Tumble Live Events! Cambridge Science Festival in Cambridge, MA - Sept 21 Princeton Public Library, Thursday September 25th The Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton University. Saturday September 27th Connecticut River Museum in Essex, CT - October 11 Lincoln Center, NYC - February 7, 2025 We can’t wait to see you there.
The Wild Axolotl - And Tumble en Español is Coming Back!

30 min 19 September 2025

We have a big announcement: Tumble en Español is returning on September 25th! This is a rebroadcast of an episode of Tumble from last season. If you can't wait to hear the Spanish-language version, just go
Mailbag: How do asteroids form? Why don't we feel dizzy as Earth spins? Would we know if we were in a black hole?

25 min 3 October 2025

This is our final Mailbag episode before all-new stories of science discovery arrive on Friday, October 17. Lindsay and Marshall share behind-the-scenes updates on what’s coming up in Season 11 — plus a special challenge to guess the topics of our first three episodes! Then, astrophysicist Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi (host of NOVA’s Particles of Thought and judge on Netflix’s Baking Impossible) joins us to tackle your big-universe questions: How does your body know you’re in a black hole? How do asteroids form? Why don’t we feel dizzy as Earth spins? And… what dessert would be best to eat in space? Plus we read your reviews, share how to support Tumble, and send in your own guesses and stories. Next time, we kick off a brand-new season of science adventures! LINKS! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/tumblepodcast Yoto cards: https://us.yotoplay.com/products/animal-facts-critter-curiosities-gross-science-pack Audiobook: https://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/single-post/tumble-media-announces-first-audiobook-collaboration-with-rbmedia Merch store: https://tumblepodcast.dashery.com/ Want to hear Aidee's Album "Nothing Rhymes With Orange?" Just click here. (
The Science of Snot

22 min 28 November 2025

Why do we have snot? Do animals get stuffy noses, too? We delve into the world of thick secretions with the help of Dani Rabiaotti, zoologist and author of “Believe it or Snot: The Definitive Field Guide to Earth’s Slimy Creatures.” You’ll find out why we make so much mucus, and meet the slimiest animals on the planet. Plus, you’ll discover why scientists study slime, even though it’s super gross. This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from season 5, inspired by a question we recently got from our listener Harrison, who wondered why snot exists. Hopefully this answers the question for him! If you want to support Tumble with your holiday shopping, there are lots of ways to do it! Our merch store can be found at Tumblepodcast.dashery.com You can
Mailbag: Why is English so weird? Do all cats hate getting wet? Who made PB&J a combo?

24 min 19 December 2025

We’re wrapping up 2025 with a final Mailbag episode, featuring some of our longest-running Patrons! Did you know, when you sign up to support Tumble on Patreon, you’ll get a personalized message from Marshall? And if you’ve been supporting us for years, we might just call you up to chat! We’ll meet our mysterious patron, MiloSloth and his family, and learn why they love to support the show. Plus, why is the English language so weird? Who made PB & J a combo? And do all cats hate getting wet? We have the answers. If you want to join Milo and support Tumble on Patreon, just go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast and pledge at whatever level you want! $1 or more gets you ad-free versions of the show, and $5 and up gets you a birthday shout out! Also don't forget about gift subscriptions, which make great last-minute holiday gifts! Want Tumble merch? Just go to tumblepodcast.dashery.com for t-shirts, mugs, hats, tote bags, and so much more.
The Science of Whiskers

17 min 26 December 2025

This is a re-broadcast of a favorite episode from 2019. We actually won our first AAAS Kavli Award for this episode, along with The Cave of the Underground Astronauts. Check it out! Why do seals have whiskers? Listener Karah’s question dives into the wonderful world of whisker science. Robyn Grant, a self-described “whisker biologist” shares her discoveries of how whiskers work, from training a friendly seal named Moe to making slow-mo movies of super speedy “whisking.” (You will find no cuter field of research… but if you do, tell us about it!) Listen to learn about humans’ hidden whisker muscles and find out to rank whiskers like the pros! Want to learn more about whisker science? We have more from our interview with Robyn on our Patreon podcast feed! Subscribe for $1/month at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. You can also tune in on the Castbox podcast app by tuning into our Premium Channel. Find more whiskery educational resources on our blog, at sciencepodcastforkids.com. If you want a t-shirt from our merch store, go check it out at tumblepodcast.dashery.com.
The Science of Fungi

27 min 9 January 2026

This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from season 9! Do fungi breathe? That’s what listener Alice wants to know - and we’ll find out in our punniest episode yet! We visit the Fungarium - the largest and oldest collection of fungi in the world with curator Lee Davies, who describes himself as a “librarian” of mushrooms. We’ll explore how fungi live and die, and why there’s so many species left to discover. Watch out for the zombie fungi! And beware, Lindsay and Marshall don’t hold back on the “fun guy” puns! To support Tumble on Patreon, visit patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Our merch store is at tumblepodcast.dashery.com. Go here to get more details about Tumble's appearance at Lincoln Center this February 7th at 11 am! It's totally free to the public!
Who Invented the Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich? (with The Past and the Curious)

38 min 6 March 2026

Who invented the peanut butter and jelly sandwich? And how did it become one of the most famous lunches in America? In this episode, a question from listener Leila sends us on a trip through history to find out how peanut butter, jelly, and sliced bread came together to make the classic PB&J. Along the way, we learn about the first written recipe for the sandwich in 1901, how peanut butter went from a fancy food to a lunchbox staple, and why sliced bread changed everything. To help answer Leila’s question, we turned to our buddy Mick Sullivan, host of the history podcast The Past and the Curious. Mick loved the question so much that he made a whole episode about it—and today we’re sharing it with you. Join on Patreon to help us continue to make Tumble: ⁠patreon.com/tumblepodcast⁠ Shop official Tumble merch: ⁠https://tumblepodcast.dashery.com/⁠ Listen to Tumble en Español: ⁠https://pod.link/1521514886⁠ Submit a science question: https://
Mailbag: Are Animals Ticklish? + New Song!

21 min 17 April 2026

A special “tickle attack” Mailbag edition of Tumble! We’re tackling your questions about whether animals can be tickled, and why we laugh when we’re tickled. David Leavens, a professor of psychology, helps us break down the not-so-silly science of tickling. Plus, a brand NEW SONG from Marshall based on a listener request! Want to be on a future mailbag episode? With an adult, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, a comment on Spotify, or email us at tumblepodcast@gmail.com! Join on Patreon to help us continue to make Tumble: patreon.com/tumblepodcast Shop official Tumble merch: https://tumblepodcast.dashery.com/ Listen to Tumble en Español: https://pod.link/1521514886Submit a science question: https://
Pluto and the Planetary Pandemonium - Encore

24 min 15 May 2026

This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from the past! It’s a scientific controversy of planetary proportions! Is Pluto a planet, or not? You decide, after we present two sides of an epic astronomy argument. Back in 2006, the International Astronomer’s Union voted on a definition of the word “planet” that excluded Pluto and other newly dubbed “dwarf planets” from planethood status. Astronomers - and everybody else - quickly chose sides. We dive deep into the debate and learn that Pluto’s not the only Space Object Formerly Known As A Planet. Then we’ll ask you to weigh in with your opinion, and see if you can find “consensus” on what should be called a planet. Featuring planetary astronomer Kirby Runyon. We have a present for your birthday!! We’ll be doing birthday shoutouts for our Patreon members, beginning next month. Want to hear a message on the podcast just for your special day? Pledge at the $5 level at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. You’ll be helping us make the show, and we also have extra audio goodies for you. Hear more from our interviews with scientists! For this episode, Kirby Runyon expands on the different types of planets, and the fascinating features you can find on each one. There’s more about planets, on our website at sciencepodcastforkids.com. Don’t forget to
Mailbag: Could a Peacock and Platypus Be Friends? Why does the ground keep spinning? Do magnets work in space?

25 min 29 May 2026

You asked, we answered! In this mailbag episode, we're tackling three big kid questions: why does the ground keep spinning after you stop? Do magnets work in space? And could a peacock and a platypus ever be BFFs? We get answers from real experts, as well as reading your reviews and comments! Also, the Joke-ha-thon is coming up on June 3rd! Go here to donate and pick your champion, and also win some amazing, amazing prizes for yourself and your school. If you want to have your comment or review read on our show, leave one! Write a review on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ or comment on ⁠Spotify⁠. Join on Patreon to help us continue to make Tumble and be featured on future episodes, and help us decide on Season 12 topics: ⁠patreon.com/tumblepodcast⁠ Shop official Tumble merch: ⁠https://tumblepodcast.dashery.com/⁠ Submit a science question: ⁠https://
How Were Dinosaur Tracks Made?

23 min 12 June 2026

This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from season 10! Ever wondered how dinosaurs left their footprints behind millions of years ago? We embark on a prehistoric adventure with renowned paleontologist Paul Olsen! Discover the secrets behind dinosaur tracks and how these ancient prints can tell us incredible stories about the lives of dinosaurs. From the science of fossilization to what these footprints reveal about dinosaur behavior and habitats, Paul Olsen will guide us through the fascinating world of these mysteries left in stone - and share how he discovered thousands of dino tracks when he was just a kid. Join us on a Dino Map Adventure at ⁠nepm.org/dinomap⁠! We’ve created a free audio tour to explore the science and history of dinosaur tracks in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts. Lindsay and Marshall will guide you through the place where dinosaur footprints were first discovered - and put you on the path to becoming dino track explorers! Dinosaur Adventures in the Pioneer Valley are supported by The Bement School, The Center School, and HCS Headstart. If you like this episode, consider supporting Tumble on Patreon by going to patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Get ad-free episodes for just $1 a month!
Mailbag: What would happen if the Moon disappeared? How big is the universe, really? Are there atoms in a black hole?

21 min 26 June 2026

What would happen if the Moon disappeared? How big is the universe, really? And what happens to atoms inside a black hole? Marshall and Lindsay get the answers to some cosmic questions in this special mailbag episode! If you want to have your comment or review read on our show, leave one! Write a review on ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ or comment on ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠. Join on Patreon to help us continue to make Tumble and be featured on future episodes, and help us decide on Season 12 topics: ⁠⁠patreon.com/tumblepodcast⁠⁠ Shop official Tumble merch: ⁠⁠https://tumblepodcast.dashery.com/⁠⁠ Submit a science question: ⁠⁠https://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/contact Watch the Joke-ha-thon here! Other Tumble episodes mentioned in this mailbag: "What Would Happen If There Was No Moon?" (in Spanish). "The Quest for the Edge of the Universe with Katie Mack" "How Big is the Universe?" Cataloging the Universe - Audio Course
The Plastic Pollution Patrol [ENCORE]

21 min 10 July 2026

This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from last season, and one that is particularly timely for the summer! What if you found out that there was a tiny, nearly invisible type of plastic pollution that’s found nearly everywhere… but you’d never heard of it! That’s what happened to environmental scientist Jace Tunnell several years ago, and he’s been on a great nurdle hunt ever since! This episode on fighting plastic waste comes with a special bonus: the opportunity to enroll in a “Nurdle Patrol” and lead the Nurdle search in your community! Join the Nurdle Patrol Special Agent Training Course at ⁠sciencepodcastforkids.com/nurdles⁠ If you want to support Tumble on Patreon, just go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Ad-free early access to episodes is just $1/month, and for just $5/month you can get a birthday shout out on our feed! T-shirts and other merch (including merch specific to this episode) are
The Secret to Cheetah's Super Speed [Encore]

18 min 24 July 2026

How do cheetahs get their super speed? We talk to a cheetah scientist to find out why a spotted cat is the fastest animal on Earth. Cheetahs are literally built for speed! Anne Hilborn spent months scoping out cheetahs on the hunt in the grasslands of the Serengeti. We’ll discover how cheetahs’ incredible speed is linked to their survival - and what they do when being fast isn’t enough. On our special bonus interview episode - available to our Patreon supporters - Anne shares the amazing story of how being photographed while dropping cheetah poop on herself became both her most embarrassing and her proudest moment. Photos on the blog! Pledge at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Only $1/month gets you double the Tumble, and $5/month comes with a shoutout on the show, a birthday greeting, and opportunities to be on the show! Want to learn more about cheetah science, and reputable conservation organizations? Check out our blog at ⁠
Mailbag: How Do Stem Cells Decide What to Become? What's Morse Code?

24 min 7 August 2026

In this special summer mailbag episode, Marshall and Lindsay help answer three kid questions: How do stem cells decide what to become? How do chameleons change color? and... What is Morse code? This special episode features answers from Jessica Whited, Michel Milinkovich, and Mick Sullivan, from The Past and the Curious! As well as a roundup of listener reviews, and more!
The Science of Your Favorite Foods [ENCORE]

21 min 21 August 2026

This is a rebroadcast of a favorite episode of Tumble from season 6. What’s your favorite food? Why does it taste so good? It turns out, what we think is tasty isn’t just a matter of opinion. It’s science! Ecologist and science writer Rob Dunn takes us on a journey back in time, before kitchens, cooking, and even farming! We find out how our ancestors’ tastes shaped our own cravings - and how our experiences lead us to pick our favorites. Curious to learn more about the science of taste? Listen to our bonus interview episode with Rob Dunn on Patreon! Available for Patrons who support Tumble at the $1/ level or higher! Pledge at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. We have free resources to learn more about taste and our ancient ancestors on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.
Tumble Science Podcast for Kids Season 12 Starts September 11!

2 min 28 August 2026

Why do T. Rexes have tiny arms? Can dogs actually talk? Do we remember dreams or nightmares more? Season 12 of Tumble Science Podcast for Kids drops September 11th — and we're bringing kids' wildest science questions to REAL scientists for the REAL stories behind discovery (plus the jokes and sound design you know we can't resist). Almost 200 episodes in, and we're just getting started. 🚀 🎧 Want it early + ad-free? Pledge $1+ at patreon.com/tumblepodcast 🌐 More at sciencepodcastforkids.com Follow/subscribe now so you don't miss episode 1
Mailbag: Why Does the Left Brain Control the Right Side of Your Body? Are Dinosaurs Reptiles or Birds?

18 min 4 September 2026

In this final mailbag episode of Summer 2026, Marshall and Lindsay address two listener questions, and learn about a surprising twist of evolution. Plus, listener reviews and comments! To get an invite to the next Tumble meetup, as well as receive birthday shout outs and ad free versions of the show, go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast and support us! For Tumble t-shirts, visit our store on Dashery: tumblepodcast.dashery.com And don't forget to keep checking our blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com for NGSS alignment, activities, and more! Submit your own question and be on our show here!
Mailbag: Do Space Wormholes Exist?

15 min 18 September 2026

In this mailbag episode, Marshall and Lindsay tackle two listener questions — whether space wormholes are real, and what a fly wing and a carrot could possibly have in common under a microscope. Plus, listener reviews and comments from China! To get an invite to the next Tumble meetup, as well as receive birthday shout outs and ad free versions of the show, go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast and support us! For Tumble t-shirts, visit our store on Dashery: tumblepodcast.dashery.com And don't forget to keep checking our blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com for NGSS alignment, activities, and more! Submit your own question and be on our show here!
Mailbag: What Happens When Galaxies Crash?

21 min 2 October 2026

In this mailbag episode, astronomer Karen Masters joins Marshall and Lindsay to answer a listener's question: what happens when Andromeda crashes into the Milky Way? Plus, we're launching a brand-new segment: The Kid Quiz! Find Tumble Cards on Yoto here. To get an invite to the next Tumble meetup, as well as receive birthday shout outs and ad free versions of the show, go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast and support us! For Tumble t-shirts, visit our store on Dashery: tumblepodcast.dashery.com And don't forget to keep checking our blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com for NGSS alignment, activities, and more! Submit your own question and be on our show here!
Fact or Fiction: Sloths (Featuring the Story Pirates)

36 min 16 October 2026

Explore the wild world of kids’ imaginations with Story Pirates! Story Pirates is a podcast that takes stories written by kids and brings them to life as hilarious sketches and songs, performed by a crew of comedians, actors, and musicians. Listen to Story Pirates here: https://www.storypirates.com/
Mailbag: How Did Mars Form?

21 min 2 November 2026

In this mailbag episode, Marshall and Lindsay tackle two great questions from listeners about rainbows and how Mars formed. Also, you'll get to hear about Marshall's trip to the Cambridge Science Carnival in Cambridge, MA, and as always your listener reviews. Help Tumble on our quest to 4.4 stars! Go here to leave a rating and review! Get Tumble merch at tumblepodcast.dashery.com Also join Marshall at his Kid Quiz / Science Question meetup by becoming a subscriber on Patreon at patreon.com/tumblepodcast
The Hunt for the Alien Viruses

19 min 30 April 2021

Can viruses live in space? That’s what our listener Julian wants to know. It turns out, that’s a question that scientists are asking, too! Kathryn Bywaters is one of the scientists starting the search for viruses in space. She believes that finding viruses might be the easiest way to discover life on other planets. But first, we have to learn more about what a virus is, and how to find them. Discover why viruses are like the “message in a bottle” of alien life, and how you could become a real life alien virus hunter on Mars. Hear more from Kathryn about viruses in space! Listen to our special bonus interview episode available for patrons who pledge $1 or more a month on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Visit our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com, for more resources to learn about the search for life and viruses in our solar system. Parents! This week, we're recommending Science Vs, a science podcast for adults! Find it wherever you listen to podcasts.
The Seed Treasure Map

22 min 14 May 2021

How long can a seed live? To find out, scientists follow a secret map on a mission under the cover of night, to find a buried treasure. It’s all part of one of the longest running, most legendary experiments in science history! We follow plant biologist David Lowry and his team on this secret scientist-spy-treasure hunt, which only happens once every 20 years. But things don’t go quite as planned. Find out what happens on this epic science quest, if seeds will sprout after 141 years underground, and what a wise, ancient rabbit has to do with it all. Curious to learn more about David and the Beal Seed Experiment? Listen to our bonus interview episode on Patreon! Available for Patrons who support Tumble at the $1/ level or higher! Pledge at patreon.com/tumblepodcast See photos of the experiment, read more about the 2021 dig, and find out how to do your own seed experiments - all on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.
The Science of Your Favorite Foods

21 min 28 May 2021

What’s your favorite food? Why does it taste so good? It turns out, what we think is tasty isn’t just a matter of opinion. It’s science! Ecologist and science writer Rob Dunn takes us on a journey back in time, before kitchens, cooking, and even farming! We find out how our ancestors’ tastes shaped our own cravings - and how our experiences lead us to pick our favorites. Curious to learn more about the science of taste? Listen to our bonus interview episode with Rob Dunn on Patreon! Available for Patrons who support Tumble at the $1/ level or higher! Pledge at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. We have free resources to learn more about taste and our ancient ancestors on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com. Our next episode on June 11 will be the final episode of Season 6! But don't worry, we'll have plenty of listening on our feed over the summer - and we'll be doing Patreon birthday shoutouts!
How To Be a Helping Scientist

20 min 11 June 2021

How can science help people? Charita Castro is a scientist who’s spent her life using science to make kids’ lives better, all over the world. When she was little, she saw something that made her ask a big question: “Why don’t other kids have what I have?” She decided to dedicate her life to helping other people. But she didn’t know how until she discovered social science. Follow Charita’s journey to find out about a very special kind of science! Did you know: Saturday, June 12 is the World Day to End Child Labor! 2021 is the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labor. We have resources on the blog on our website to get involved with the fight against child labor, anytime you want to start! Learn more about how social science works during our special bonus interview episode with Charita. It’s available to Patrons who pledge just $1/month or more, on patreon.com/tumblepodcast This is our last episode of Season 6! But don’t worry, we have lots to share over the summer. Stay subscribed (and listen to birthday shoutouts) throughout the summer. We’ll be launching a BRAND NEW PODCAST and you don’t want to miss it!!
The Worst Sounds in the World

18 min 17 September 2021

What are the worst sounds in the world? Lots of noises that can send your hands rushing to cover your ears, but only a select can be the most horrible! Fortunately, one brave acoustic scientist named Trevor Cox decided to find out, by asking hundreds of thousands of people to rank the worst of the worst sound. It was one of the first online sound experiments - and the result was a lot of fun! Note: This episode features sound effects, and if you’re sensitive to sounds, you may want to skip it. Hear more about this pioneering internet psychology study on our bonus episode with Trevor Cox, available to Tumble patrons who pledge $1 or more a month! Pledge now at patreon.com/tumblepodcast Learn more about the horrible sounds experiment on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.
How to Be an Ocean Explorer

15 min 1 October 2021

Want to explore the hidden treasures of the deep sea? Come on board the EV Nautilus, a research ship that searches the seafloor with the help of robot submarines! Our guide is Taylorann Smith, who’s on her third trip on the ship! We’ll witness a whalefall, meet the submarines, and learn how Taylorann discovered what it really means to be a marine biologist. Want more? You can visit the Nautilus from home! Join Taylorann and the Nautilus team on live deep sea exploration expeditions online at nautiluslive.org. Check out their exciting animal discovery videos, fun try-at-home activities, and explorer career features to envision yourself as a future ocean explorer! Taylorann has an amazing story of how she found her way to the Nautilus. Hear it on our bonus interview episode, when you pledge $1 or more a month on Patreon! patreon.com/tumblepodcast We’ll have more links and our favorite Nautilus materials on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com. This episode was supported by The Ocean Exploration Trust with support from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Audio from the Whalefall is credited to Ocean Exploration Trust / NOAA ONMS.
Where Does Laughter Come From?

17 min 15 October 2021

How do you find out why we laugh? With tickling, of course! Gorillas and other great apes appear to love being tickled, and sound like they’re laughing just like us. Animal biologist Marina Davila-Ross thought tickling might connect humans and great apes - and hold the clues to the origin of laughter. To find out, she assembled teams of ticklers in an experiment full of giggles. It’s the silliest science you’ve ever heard, but the discoveries will blow your mind. Learn more about laughter in animals and humans in our interview with Marina Davila-Ross. Listen to the bonus interview episode available to Patrons who support Tumble at the $1/level or higher, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. See videos of gorillas being tickled, and more free educational resources on our blog at sciencepodcast.com.
The Jack O'Lantern Science Mystery

20 min 29 October 2021

Why do carved pumpkins rot faster than uncarved pumpkins? That’s what Ari, an 11 year old podcast host, wants to know. To find out what’s making good Jack O’Lanterns go bad, we turn to squash detective/ scientist Michael Mazourek. Together, we track down clues to crack the case - and find out how we make a Jack O’Lantern last forever. Learn more about pumpkin science, like the shocking truth of what’s in your can of pumpkin puree (spoiler alert: it’s not pumpkin), with the free resources on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com. We have a special bonus interview episode about how to breed vegetables, with Michael Mazourek! It’s available for Patrons who pledge just $1 or more a month on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Find out what it’s like to make a brand new pepper!
The Cave of The Neanderthal Tools

18 min 12 November 2021

What tools did Neanderthals use? That’s what Leo wants to know. We dig into the past of Neanderthal archeology, back to when people used to excavate caves with dynamite! Archeologist and author Rebecca Wragg Sykes shares the explosive story of how Neanderthals made tools, and what they can tell us about how Neanderthals lived. Listen to our bonus interview episode with Rebecca about Neanderthals caves, available for Patrons who pledge just $1/ month or more on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Learn more about Neanderthals and their “knapping” habits with the free resources on our blog at
Kids’ Vaccines Tackle COVID-19

18 min 26 November 2021

What do you need to know about the new COVID-19 vaccines for ages 5 - 11? Sam, age 8, and Natalie, age 10, are here to help! They participated in a COVID vaccine trial, which is an important part of the science that will help end the threat of coronavirus. Along with Dr. Kawsar Talaat, an epidemiologist who helped run the trials, they share the behind-the-scenes of the process that helps us know that vaccines are safe to take. Nervous about getting your shot? Natalie and Sam have some great advice to share, so you can help the world get back to normal. Visit vaccine.gov for information of where to get your shot, and answers to more common questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. We have more resources and trusted sources for vaccine information and updated coronavirus news on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com. Happy Thanksgiving, friends!!
The Biggest Space Telescope in the Universe

20 min 10 December 2021

How do you launch the largest space telescope ever built into space? The James Webb Space Telescope will travel 1.5 million miles away from Earth to help answer some of our biggest questions about the universe. But first, it has to be launched on a rocket - and the telescope is too big to fit on a rocket. So NASA decided to fold it up. How did they do this? NASA astrophysicist Knicole Colón and NASA engineer Alphonso Stewart take us on a journey with the world’s most complicated origami project. Don't miss Webb's launch! As of this episode's release date, it is scheduled for December 22, 2021. Learn more with free resources on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com. This will be our last new episode until January 21. But you can look forward to hearing a few of your favorite previously published episodes, and brand new birthday shoutouts on each episode! Plus, if you
A Big Announcement and Dinopoop Series Part 1 [ENCORE]

19 min 24 December 2021

We have some exciting changes to share with you at the beginning of this episode! Plus, Part 1 of our favorite-ever two part series about dinosaur poop! In "Who Dung It," paleontologist Karen Chin shares how she cracked the mystery behind an ancient dinosaur doo-doo, or coprolite. It's a super fun story, and you can learn more about ancient fossil feces on our blog. We're on winter break until January 21, when we'll be back with all new episodes. Lindsay and Marshall had so much fun recording special video messages for new Patreons, we're extending our sign-up special through early January 2022! All you have to do is pledge at the $5 or higher level at patreon.com/tumblepodcast before Dinopoop Part 2. HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE TUMBLE TEAM!
Dinopoop Series Part 2 [ENCORE]

19 min 7 January 2022

All-new Tumble episodes return January 21! We can't wait to share what we have in store. Today, we're sharing the exciting conclusion of our two part dinosaur poo series, "The Coprolite Queen." In the 1800’s, Mary Anning was known as the best fossil hunter in England. She made many great discoveries, including dinosaur poop. With help from our friend Kidosaurus and children’s science historian Melanie Keene, we dig into Mary Anning’s story and her place in the history of women in science. Check out the blog about this episode on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.
The Great Seal Count

18 min 21 January 2022

How do you count the cutest seals on the planet? With the help from thousands of people around the world! Conservation scientist Leo Salas explains the story behind the first-ever global count of Weddell seals in Antarctica. Plus, you’ll find out what counting seals shares with searching for ancient tombs! Learn more about Weddell seals in our special bonus episode with Dr. Leo Salas, available to Tumble Patrons who pledge just $1 or more a month - along with an ad-free episode feed! Support us today at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. We’ll have free resources to learn more about Weddell seals (or the ‘widdle Weddells’) on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com. Do you speak Spanish, or are you a Spanish language learner?
The Science of Butts

19 min 4 February 2022

What is a butt? That’s what science journalist Katherine Wu wanted to know. Her quest for an answer leads her into a web of big butt questions, and a search to find the top butt scientists in the world. She discovers a debate over where butts come from, and a very strange butt that could rewrite the annals of butt history. This episode features an original song called, “Sometimes Butt.” Trust us, it’s a fun one! (And yes, we say the word “butt” and other butt-related words a lot.) Can’t get enough of butt science? There’s plenty more! Listen to a bonus interview episode with Katherine Wu, available to Patrons who support Tumble at a level of $1 a month or more. You’ll get access to an ad-free feed with all our bonus episodes, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast This episode is based on Katherine’s article, “The Body’s Most Embarrassing Organ is an Evolutionary Marvel.” Find more butt science resources on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.
Do Bugs Have Elbows?

20 min 18 February 2022

Clare wants to know if bugs have elbows. Her question starts a debate between Team Bug Arms and Elbows, and Team Bug Legs and Knees! Choose a side, and come on the trail of a bug bod mystery with superstar entomologist and dragonfly specialist Jessica Ware. Turns out, dragonflies are a lot weirder (and ancient!) than you might think! Hear more from our interview with Jessica! Check out our bonus interview episode, available to patrons who
Why Do Cats Purr?

24 min 4 March 2022

Why and how do cats purr? That’s what Reid wants to know. It sounds like a simple question, but it leads us to a deep challenge: Can we ever understand cats? To find out, we launch a full-scale cat purr investigation. You’ll hear from a puzzled veterinarian, a scientist who studied her cat’s annoying purr, and the author of purring.org, the premier cat purr research website. It’s a purr-fect episode for everyone who’s curious about cats. Learn more about cat purrs - and cat smiles - in our bonus interview episode! It’s
Do Dreams Have Meaning?

20 min 18 March 2022

Come on a trip to Dreamland, as we explore the history of dreaming - and how science changed their meaning, forever. Our guide is Sidarta Ribiero, neuroscientist and author of “The Oracle of Night.” We’ll travel back to ancient times when gods and goddesses appeared in dreams, visit the offices of Dr. Sigmund Freud, and watch as an 8 year old boy contributes to a huge scientific breakthrough - while he slept. Plus, we’ll send you off to sleep with the three steps to exploring the meaning of your dreams. Let’s get dreaming! Want to learn more about dreams? Tune into our bonus interview episode with Sidarta to learn more about when dreams have meaning, and how dreams might make us better at learning. We have free resources
The Dinosaur Asteroid

21 min 1 April 2022

Where did the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs come from? That’s what our listener Lucian wants to know. Prepare to hear a “podcast movie” about the fateful impact, starting with an explosive collision in space that sent asteroids careening towards Earth. Then we’ll discover the science behind the story, with the help of planetary scientist Sean Gulick. He led an expedition along with Dr. Joanna Morgan to drill into the impact crater - and find the final piece of evidence in the asteroid theory. This episode is sure to blow your mind. *Special thanks to the kids who helped us collect the sound effects used in the “podcast movie” section of this episode!* Learn more about the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs on our bonus interview episode with Sean. It’s available to patrons who pledge just $1 or more a month at patreon.com/tumblepodcast We have free resources about science behind the effects of the asteroid impact, and the debate around the asteroids’ origins. Go to our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com to check it out.
What to Do About Trash?

21 min 15 April 2022

Trash is one of the biggest problems on the planet. But scientists are coming up with solutions that might surprise you. In this Earth Day episode, we meet two researchers who are tackling trash in two very different ways. Kevin Solomon hopes to solve the challenge of recycling plastic with the help of meal worms, and Lily Pollans is figuring out what kids can do to help everyone make less trash. Find out how science can help tackle Earth’s biggest challenges - and how you can help. Learn how one city learned to make less trash, in a special bonus interview episode with Lily Pollans. To listen, pledge to
Why Do Colors Exist?

23 min 29 April 2022

Why do colors exist in the world? That’s what Phoebe wants to know. The answer might change how you think about the colors that you see! Neuroscientist and artist Bevil Conway bends our minds and our eyes, to show us how colors are the ultimate optical illusion. We’ll discover what color is made of, why even plants can “see” color, and what color can tell us about how our brains work. Take out your coloring supplies and prepare for a color journey. Want to learn why we choose our favorite colors, or if the red I see is the same as the red you see? Listen to our bonus interview episode with Bevil,
The Science of Bubbles

19 min 27 May 2022

Why do bubbles pop, and why do bubbles have shadows? We’re in double bubble trouble with two listener questions. Luckily, Dr. Bubbles is here to save the day! We’ll find out how a normal, everyman physicist named Justin Burton became a superhero bubble scientist, on a quest to make a scientifically proven recipe for giant bubbles. Along the way, we’ll discover the answers to our listeners’ bubbling curiosity. Hear from the inventor of edible bubbles, Li Wei Tan, in a bonus interview episode
The Seed Treasure Map [UPDATE!]

24 min 13 May 2022

How many seeds sprouted in the historic Beal Seed experiment we covered in 2021? Find out in this updated version of one of our favorite episodes for spring! We tag along with scientists following a secret map on a mission under the cover of night, to find a buried treasure. It’s all part of one of the longest running, most legendary experiments in science history! We follow plant biologist David Lowry and his team on this secret scientist-spy-treasure hunt, which only happens once every 20 years. But things don’t go quite as planned. Find out what happens on this epic science quest. To learn more about the Beal Seed Experiment, listen to our bonus interview episode with David. It’s available to Patrons who pledge just $1/ month or more on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Learn more about the experiment and plant biology on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com. Send us your science questions at tumblepodcast@gmail.com.
What If Oceans Didn't Exist?

19 min 10 June 2022

What would Earth be like if our oceans never existed? That’s what Charlie wants to know! We recruit Earth detective Lucia Perez-Diaz to help us track down clues hidden within our planet’s rocks. Our investigation takes us through the mysteries of how water got on Earth, the giant plates moving beneath our feet, and why our oceans are shaped the way they are. Lucia’s also an illustrator, and will draw us an Earth without oceans. What will it look like? Listen to find out. Learn more about how Lucia uses her detective skills to reveal the last 200 million years of Earth’s history, on our special bonus interview episode. It’s available to Patrons who pledge $1 a month or higher! You can support our show and get our ad-free feed on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. You can see some of Lucia’s illustrations on our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com, along with other resources to learn more about water and plate tectonics on our planet!
The Volcano Eruption Adventure [ENCORE]

17 min 25 June 2021

Would you fly to the top of a volcano that’s about to erupt at any moment? Volcanologist Helena Buurman did, and survived to tell the tale! In 2008, Helena was monitoring Mount Redoubt in Alaska, when the ground beneath the volcano began to shake. What follows is a tale of volcanic adventure, involving earthquakes, helicopters, and a massive eruption! Tumble is on our summer break right now, working on some exciting new projects. Stay tuned to hear them in our feed! We'll be back with new episodes of Tumble in September 2021. We invite you to invent your own volcano! Find resources to learn more about volcano warning signs and eruptions, on our website at www.sciencepodcastforkids.com We have more from our interview with Helena Buurman for our Patrons who pledge just $1/month or more. To listen, pledge today at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.
Tumble Season 8 Starts September 16!

3 min 9 September 2022

Season 8 of Tumble begins September 16 with a special, five-part series called “Life Lab.” Life Lab will explore the incredible power of a new technology you probably haven’t heard of. This technology could solve some of the biggest challenges on our planet, and beyond. But with great power, comes great responsibility. We’ll be asking important questions about whether it could - or should - change our future. Bonus: Life Lab will be released weekly, for five weeks! After that, we’ll return to our regular schedule of science discovery, every other week. Help us spread the word! If you can’t wait for all new episodes of Tumble, tell your friends, family, and your teachers to listen along with you. Subscribe or follow wherever you listen to Tumble Science Podcast for Kids.
Tumble's Summer Quiz Show!

17 min 23 June 2023

It's Tumble's first science quiz edition! Play along as Tumble fans Arlo and Talyse compete in three science games: Purr Vs. Roar, What Does the Say?, and Does It Fart? Lindsay and Marshall play quiz masters, while their contestants make a surprising discovery. And that's before the quiz even starts! If you enjoyed this quiz show and would like to hear more, let us know! To support our show and get ad-free episodes - plus the chance to be on an episode like Arlo and Taylse -
More Cheese, Please - Life Lab Pt. 1

23 min 16 September 2022

What does cheese have to do with technology? What does engineering have to do with biology? And why should we know about it? We’ll slice into these questions to get a taste of what synthetic biology is, how it's already in our lives, and how it got there. Welcome to Life Lab! This is the first part of our five part series about how tiny life can change everything. In Life Lab, we explore the incredible power of synthetic biology to solve some of our biggest challenges - and asking how it could change our future. This episode features Christina Agapakis and Kristala Prather. Life Lab is supported by the Engineering Biology Research Consortium, a non-profit committed to educating the next-generation and building a community dedicated to solving big challenges with engineering biology. Funded by the National Science Foundation. We have two bonus interviews for you this week, featuring Christina and Kris! They’re available to Tumble Patrons who pledge just a dollar or more a month, on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. You can find a transcript and other educational materials about this episode on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.
Moving to Mars? - Life Lab, Pt 2

21 min 23 September 2022

Should we make the move to Mars? And how would we live there? Join us as we pack our bags for Mars with the help of synthetic biology. We’ll find out how astronauts could grow their own food, medicine, and even building materials on the Red Planet. But when Lindsay and Marshall start to disagree about moving to another planet, some tricky questions threaten the mission… Welcome to Life Lab! This is the first part of our five part series about how tiny life can change our world. In Life Lab, we explore the incredible power of synthetic biology to solve some of our biggest challenges - and asking how it could change our future. This episode features Adam Arkin and Kris Prather. Life Lab is supported by the Engineering Biology Research Consortium, a non-profit committed to educating the next-generation and building a community dedicated to solving big challenges with engineering biology. Funded by the National Science Foundation. We have two bonus interviews for you this week, featuring Christina and Kris! They’re available to Tumble Patrons who pledge just a dollar or more a month, on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. You can find a transcript and other educational materials about this episode on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com. Episode Advertiser: National Children's Museum STEAM Daydream Podcast
“Is This a Good Idea?” - Life Lab, Pt. 3

21 min 30 September 2022

So far in Life Lab, we’ve uncovered the power of synthetic biology. But with great power comes great responsibility! In this episode, we’ll ask “Is this a good idea?” when it comes to changing the DNA of mosquitoes to fight a deadly virus. This episode features Dr. Sam Weiss Evans and his 8 year old daughter, Izzy Weiss Evans. Hear more from Sam about modified mosquitoes and making decisions about science, in our bonus interview episode! They’re available to Tumble Patrons who pledge just a dollar or more a month, on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. You can find a transcript and other educational materials about this episode on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com. Life Lab is supported by the Engineering Biology Research Consortium, a non-profit committed to educating the next-generation and building a community dedicated to solving big challenges with engineering biology. Funded by the National Science Foundation.
Fashion's New Spider Sense - Life Lab, Pt. 4

18 min 7 October 2022

Take the Kids Listen Survey! Tumble’s Life Lab Show at the Cambridge Science Festival Spider silk? Mushroom leather? Discover what’s next in fashion: Clothes made from synthetic biology. We hear the story of how a synthetic biologist went from collecting spiders in his bedroom to working with some of the biggest names in fashion. This episode features Dr. Dan Widmaier, CEO of Bolt Threads. You can find a transcript and other educational materials about this episode on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com. Life Lab is supported by the Engineering Biology Research Consortium, a non-profit committed to educating the next-generation and building a community dedicated to solving big challenges with engineering biology. Funded by the National Science Foundation.
The Tomb of the Animal Mummies

22 min 28 October 2022

Ever wonder what a mummy smells like? Or why millions of animals were mummified - including baboons? We climb into ancient tombs with Egyptologist Salima Ikram, to discover the science and culture of animal mummies. Salima is a real life tomb adventurer, cautious of scorpions and curious about the dead. Join us this Halloween as we excavate the secrets behind mummies! We’re participating in Nat Geo Kids’ Podcast Party: Ancient Egypt in honor of the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tut’s tomb. Together with other kids podcasts we are making episode about Ancient Egypt. If you are interested in listening to more, check out Greeking Out. We're also participating in a Kids Listen Survey! Grownups, take a moment to tell us about your family media habits in this quick survey. Hear more from Salima in a bonus interview episode
How Do Toilets Work?

21 min 11 November 2022

When you have to go, where does it go? That’s what our listener Ellie wants to know. Prepare for potty humor and science as we hear from civil engineer and toilet expert Francis de los Reyes! Who invented the toilet? And what’s “The Great Stink?” We’ll be plunging into the past, present, and future of flushing to discover how toilets don’t just save us from stinky smells - they save lives. Are you a teacher? Participate in our NSF-funded research project! Sign up here: https://bit.ly/TumbleTeachers Learn more about toilets and sanitation around the world, on our bonus interview episode with Francis de los Reyes. It’s available to Patreons who pledge just $1 a month at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. We have free resources about this episode on the blog on our website: https://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/single-post/how-do-toilets-work All episodes have transcripts now!
Do Aliens Exist?

21 min 9 December 2022

How likely is it that we’ll find intelligent alien life on other planets? Are there extraterrestrial civilizations that we could contact - or that could contact us? And what would these aliens be like? We’re going to try to answer these big questions with the help of two scientists, and a very famous math equation. Hear more from Kaitlin Rassmussen and Arik Kershenbaum in our special bonus interview episode, available to Patrons who pledge just $1 or more a month to
The Polar Bear Adventure

20 min 20 January 2023

Join us on an Arctic adventure as we head out onto the sea ice with a polar bear scientist! Andrew Derocher shares exciting stories of flying in helicopters, getting bit by a polar bear cub, and discovering how polar bears are surviving in a warming world. Andrew explains what happens when polar bears move into human towns, in the bonus interview episode. It’s available to Patrons who pledge just a dollar or more a month on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Teachers! Find a toolkit to share polar bear science with students, on the World Wildlife Fund’s WildClassroom.org. A transcript for this episode and other resources are
The Hidden Histories of Plant Science

21 min 3 February 2023

A Black botanist is on a mission to discover the hidden stories of Black plant scientists throughout history. Shawn Abrahams shares how Black people are responsible for vanilla cupcakes, and the microscopes you use in science class! Plus, hear how Shawn started their own journey to becoming a botanist and historian, with the help of Wikipedia. Hear more stories from Black scientists featured on Tumble! Check out our blog post for a list of episodes. Learn more about how Shawn became a botanist on our bonus interview episode, available to Patrons who pledge $1/month on Patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Dig deeper into the stories of Black botanists on the blog on our website at sciencepodcastforkids.com. Want to hear science stories in Spanish? Listen to our Spanish show, Tumble en Español! Hosted by Nuria Net and Alvaro Ramos.
The Science of Ocean Sounds

22 min 17 February 2023

Explore the sounds of ocean science on a sound scavenger hunt! Tune in as oceanographer Amy Bower takes us to the sea, to show us how she uses sound to study ocean currents and make ocean science accessible for blind and visually impaired people. Listen up and help us search for clues beneath the waves to reveal the secrets of the underwater realm! Ocean data sonifications courtesy of Dr. Jon Bellona at the University of Oregon, and the Accessible Oceans project. Learn more about Dr. Amy Bower in our bonus interview episode, available to Patrons who pledge just $1 or more a month to support Tumble, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. We have free resources to keep exploring the world of ocean science and data sonification with Amy Bower. They’re on the blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com, along with a free transcript. This episode is the first in a series featuring blind scientists. The material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number # 2148711 - Engaging Blind, Visually Impaired, and Sighted Students in STEM with Storytelling through Podcasts. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
Why Are Sloths Slow?

24 min 3 March 2023

Why are sloths so slow? We’ll find out how one sloth scientist got crafty and discovered why slowness is a sloth’s secret to survival. Rebecca Cliffe, founder of the Sloth Conservation Foundation, shares the story of her quest to study these sneakily stealthy creatures, with the help of a special backpack. What she finds will definitely surprise and delight you! If you're like Marshall, you might even laugh/cry. To hear more about Rebecca’s slothsome adventures, listen to our bonus interview episode! It’s available to Patrons who pledge just $1 or more a month on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Learn more about sloth research and conservation with the free resources on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com - where you’ll also find a free transcript for the episode.
Why Do Cats Purr? (ENCORE)

23 min 17 March 2023

We're working on a special project that we'll announce in our next episode! Enjoy one of our favorite episodes while we make it ready for you. Why and how do cats purr? That’s what Reid wants to know. It sounds like a simple question, but it leads us to a deep challenge: Can we ever understand cats? To find out, we launch a full-scale cat purr investigation. You’ll hear from a puzzled veterinarian, a scientist who studied her cat’s annoying purr, and the author of purring.org, the premier cat purr research website. It’s a purr-fect episode for everyone who’s curious about cats.
How Big is the Universe?

21 min 31 March 2023

How big is the universe? And how do we know? It's a question that puzzled astronomers for centuries. They had no way to measure distance in space - until Henrietta Leavitt showed them how. Henrietta Leavitt was a "computer" in the 19th century, before there were computers, and she made an incredible discovery that would help change the way people thought about the universe - forever. Modern-day astronomer Karen Masters helps us tell her remarkable story. If you like this episode, you'll love our free audio course, "Cataloging the Universe" where you'll learn much more about how Henrietta Leavitt's discovery made a big difference in astronomy - plus, you'll become a skywatcher yourself! "Cataloging the Universe" is more than a podcast. It’s interactive! Each episode - or lesson - in the series contains activities to complete while you listen. Plus, you’ll get discussion questions, graphic organizers, and a star journal to keep your observations in. Check out the series and download all the resources at our website! Hear more from Karen Masters in the bonus interview episode available to Patrons, when you pledge just $1 a month or more on our Patreon to support the show! We have free resources
What's That Bird Song?

22 min 14 April 2023

Have you ever wondered what bird you’re hearing? We’re going to discover how to recognize birds by their sound - and what that means for science. Trevor Attenberg is an environmental scientist and science communicator who learned to identify birds without sight, by their sound alone. He takes us through his journey to becoming a birder and a scientist, and shares how you can learn to recognize birds by their sound. Learn more about Trevor, and find his recommended resources for birding on the blog on our website, www.sciencepodcastforkids.com. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number # 2148711 - Engaging Blind, Visually Impaired, and Sighted Students in STEM with Storytelling through Podcasts. Take our survey to help support the podcast! Just go to https://bit.ly/TumbleScienceSurvey and spend a few minutes of your time answering questions.
Was T-Rex Smart?

24 min 28 April 2023

When did smartness begin? We’ll find out how a neuroscientist blends up brains, and cracks the case of the Tyrannosaurus Rex smarts! Suzana Herculano-Houzel helps us answer listener Penny’s question by explaining how “smartness” might not mean what you think - and how all animals have shown off their intelligence over time. Help us out by taking our listener survey! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/tumblepodcast Listen to our bonus interview with Suzana on our Patreon when you pledge just $1 a month or more! patreon.com/tumblepodcast.Learn more about Suzana and her work on the evolution of intelligence the blog on our website, www.sciencepodcastforkids.com. We apologize that the cover art of the episode is not a scientifically accurate portrayal of a T.Rex! We know that they likely did not wear graduation caps.
Hearing the Stars

23 min 12 May 2023

Can we hear and touch the stars, if we can’t see them? Yuma Decaux is trying to put the night sky into everyone’s hands, through technology and engineering. Find out how stargazing captured Yuma’s imagination when he was six, and how losing his sight inspired him to explore the cosmos in a whole new way - making astronomy accessible to everyone. Astreos, Yuma’s app, is currently in Beta. That means that when you try it out, you can give Yuma feedback on how to make it better! Download it on iOs here: https://astreos.space/ Listen to our bonus interview episode with Yuma to learn more about how he developed Astreos and what accessibility means to him. You can hear it when you
What Do Dogs Think?

22 min 26 May 2023

“Do dogs think and feel the way we do?” We all know dogs can’t talk. That’s why scientists have to come up with creative ways of asking our canine companions what’s going on in their minds. We’ll find out why dog cognition scientist Zachary Silver put on a play for dogs - which inspired us to create Tumble’s very first dog radio theater production! Just call us “The Tumble Dog Players.” It will all make sense by the end of the episode. This is the final episode of Tumble’s 8th season! But stay subscribed for some special treats over the summer. Hear more from our interview with Zachary Silver on our bonus interview episode. It’s available for listeners who pledge $1 or more a month on Patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Free resources, including a transcript, are
What If Oceans Didn't Exist? [ENCORE]

18 min 9 June 2023

We'll be back with a new episode in two weeks! What would Earth be like if our oceans never existed? That’s what Charlie wants to know! We recruit Earth detective Lucia Perez-Diaz to help us track down clues hidden within our planet’s rocks. Our investigation takes us through the mysteries of how water got on Earth, the giant plates moving beneath our feet, and why our oceans are shaped the way they are. Lucia’s also an illustrator, and will draw us an Earth without oceans. What will it look like? Listen to find out. Hear this episode (and Lucia!) en Español on Tumble en Español: Qué pasaría si los océanos no existieran? Learn more about how Lucia uses her detective skills to reveal the last 200 million years of Earth’s history, on our special bonus interview episode. It’s available to Patrons who pledge $1 a month or higher! You can support our show and get our ad-free feed on Spotify or patreon.com/tumblepodcast
Did Dinosaurs Burp?

22 min 15 September 2023

Tune into our Season 9 premiere to find out the answer to this stinky question. We’ll hear about dino gasses from returning guest Jessica Whiteside and their potential ecological impact from David Wilkinson. Our dive into dinosaur digestion will lead us to a smelly look at gas in Earth’s past! Listen to our bonus interview episode with Dave to learn more about how he studies the past without a time machine. You can hear it when you support us for just $1 on Spotify or on Patreon on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Free resources, including a transcript, are
The Science of Fungi

24 min 29 September 2023

Do fungi breathe? That’s what listener Alice wants to know - and we’ll find out in our punniest episode yet! We visit the Fungarium - the largest and oldest collection of fungi in the world with curator Lee Davies, who describes himself as a “librarian” of mushrooms. We’ll explore how fungi live and die, and why there’s so many species left to discover. Watch out for the zombie fungi! And beware, Lindsay and Marshall don’t hold back on the “fun guy” puns! Our series "Life Lab" is a Signal Award Finalist! Vote for us to win the Gold Medal here: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2023/limited-series-specials/general/kids Also check out our Threadless store! https://
How Do We Read?

28 min 13 October 2023

How does reading work in the brain? It’s a question that has fascinated scientists for years. Could braille - the system of raised dots that blind and low vision people use to read - be the key to understanding how it works? We talk to writer Andrew Leland (“The Country of the Blind”) and neuroscientist Simon Fischer-Baum to learn about the invention of braille, and how it could be the key to learning how reading works - for everyone. And we might just solve a bedtime reading mystery along the way. Learn more about braille on the bonus interview episode on our Patreon, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. We have more free resources about braille and the science of reading
The Mind Control Cat Parasite

23 min 27 October 2023

It’s a Halloween episode! “There’s a scary secret lurking in the kitty litter…” We’re making a horror movie about a common cat parasite - that can control minds! Toxoplasma gondii makes mice lose their fear of cats, in a plot to take over the world! Biologist Sebastian Lourido helps us tell the true tale of toxoplasma’s quest for cat domination, and what scientists are doing to stop the parasite in its banana-shaped tracks.
What If There Were No Animals?

22 min 10 November 2023

What would the world be like without animals? Rae Wynn Grant - ecologist, podcaster, and bear cub cuddler - gives us a picture of what would happen if animals disappeared, and explains how we can stop it from happening. We’ll find out how the Endangered Species Act has worked for over 50 years to save endangered species, and how we can make it even better for the next generation. Thanks to Elliana, as well as Hadley and Roman for their question! This episode is part of the Kids Podcast Party! Tumble and other kids podcasters are making episodes to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act. Want to hear more? Check out Smash Boom Best, and their episode about Capybaras vs. Komodo Dragons. Hear more from our interview with Rae Wynn Grant - host of Going Wild with Rae Wynn Grant - on the bonus interview episode on our Patreon, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast We have free resources for this episode on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.
Tumble's 150th Episode Quiz Show!

24 min 5 January 2024

It’s Tumble’s 150th episode! 🥳 To celebrate, we had a Quiz Show with four of our biggest fans. Hear our Patrons Zoe, Kai, Eleanor and Avery compete in Tumble trivia with questions from episodes across all nine seasons of our podcast! You can play along at home, too! Click here or visit our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com to find an online quiz form that you can fill out as you listen. There will be a prize for our first three winners! Thank you to our amazing contestants! If you would like to compete in a future quiz show and help support the show, sign up to become a Tumble Patreon on patreon.com/tumblepodcast. You’ll get access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more goodies like these Quiz Shows.
How Did Humans Create Language?

22 min 19 January 2024

What are the origins of human language? That’s what Elliana wants to know. Linguist Robert Englebretson joins us for a time travel adventure to unravel the mysteries of a question that has stumped scientists for centuries. Learn more about the study of language with Robert Englebretson on the bonus interview episode on our Patreon, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Check out free resources for this episode
The Swift Quake

30 min 2 February 2024

How do you think a stadium full of Taylor Swift fans would shake the earth? Tumble enters the Swiftiverse with Jackie Caplan-Auerbach, the scientist who discovered the “Swift Quake” - a type of earthquake created by fans at Taylor Swift concerts. Find out who really “shakes it off” - when it comes to music and seismic energy. Hear the other "sounds" of Jackie's earthquake and volcano research on the bonus interview episode on our Patreon, at ⁠patreon.com/tumblepodcast⁠. Check out free resources for this episode
The Case of the Molecular Detective

20 min 16 February 2024

When human health is on the line, it’s a case for a molecular detective! Meet Mona Minkara, a scientist who studies molecular clues to solve big crimes inside the body. She’s tracking down the criminals who creep into our bodies to make us sick. Find out how Mona uses her powers of observation to solve mysteries just like her hero, Sherlock Holmes. Support Tumble on Patreon to join Lindsay and Marshall on Zoom! Just go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast and support at ANY LEVEL! Learn more about Mona's work on the bonus interview episode on our Patreon, at ⁠⁠patreon.com/tumblepodcast⁠⁠. Check out free resources for this episode
A Kid's Guide to the Total Eclipse

23 min 1 March 2024

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse is coming to the United States! Join us for Tumble’s Eclipse Spectacular with games, music, and a thrilling audio experience to learn what it’s like to be on the path of totality. Eclipse expert Vivian White guides us and our listeners through the mysteries of this rare astronomical event. You’ll be singing our new song, “Total Eclipse of the Sun” with your eclipse glasses on! Hear our bonus interview episode with Vivian on our Patreon feed at patreon.com/tumblepodcast, when you pledge just $1 or more a month. There’s more free resources to learn about the eclipse on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com “Total Eclipse of the Sun” will be
The Songs of Spiders

19 min 15 March 2024

What does a spider web sound like? Join us as we weave a web of connections between science and music - and learn some truly mind-blowing facts about spiders! MIT scientist and musician Markus Buehler shares his journey into the spiderverse, turning spider silk into instruments and making materials from nature. Watch Markus’ spider music videos on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com The song "Spider Variations" by Markus Buehler was used with permission from Markus. The sounds are based on a sonification method of a spider web as described in the references below [1-2], part of a larger collaboration with Tomás Saraceno, Saraceno Studios, Ally Bisshop, Thomas Muehletahler, and Evan Ziporyn, and the MIT Center for Art, Science and Technology (CAST). Hear more of Markus' songs on his Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-275864738 Hear more from Markus about materials and music in our bonus interview episode, available when you
Can We See Black Holes?

21 min 29 March 2024

Why can’t we see black holes? Can we see black holes with a telescope? That’s what Tumble listener James wants to know. We explore the science of supermassive black holes and gravitational waves, with the help of astronomer Maura McLaughlin. Find out how the LIGO telescope is aiding in the search for supermassive black holes on an intergalactic collision course! ANNOUNCEMENT: Tumble en Español, the Spanish adaptation of Tumble, is back for Season 3! Listen here: https://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/tumble-en-espanol Learn more about black holes and gravitational waves on the science podcast for kids blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com Listen to Maura talk about the science of pulsar stars - the key to finding gravitational waves and black holes - in our bonus interview episode, available when you
The Alien Bacteria Abduction

20 min 12 April 2024

Scientists stage an alien abduction to learn how bacteria avoid antibiotics, in this fact-meets-fiction episode! Meet our alien bacteria invaders (fiction) and our real life scientist, Caroline Blassick (fact) as they face off in a battle of microbial life and death. We’ll find out how Caroline implants mind-control devices in bacteria to improve human health, in bioengineer Mary Dunlop’s lab. Our bacteria are played by Clara and Elijah, middle school STEM students. This episode is supported by the National Science Foundation under award number MCB 2032357. Learn more about “alien bacteria” on the bonus interview episode on our Patreon, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. We have more free resources about bacteria and antibiotics
Why Do Cicadas Live Underground for So Long?

21 min 26 April 2024

How did cicadas evolve to go underground for so long? Why do cicadas spend so much of their lives underground? That’s what listeners Gus and Zachary want to know. This spring, up to a TRILLION cicadas will emerge across 16 states in the U.S., in an event that hasn’t happened since 1803. Cicada scientist Chris Simon helps us dig into the surprising science of cicadas - and figure out how they’re changing on this science podcast for kids. Listen to our interview episode with Chris Simon, available to Patreon members who pledge at the $1 level or higher at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. We also have free resources on our website - including maps of the emergence and links to download Cicada Safari, a citizen science cicada project. That’s on the blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com. Buy Tumble gear at our threadless shop! ¿Hablas español? Hay más episodios de nuestro podcast Tumble en Español en nuestro sitio web, https://
Will An Asteroid Hit Earth?

22 min 10 May 2024

How do scientists find out if an asteroid might hit our planet? And what do they do if it’s on a collision course with Earth? We’ll meet a planetary defender - an astronomer who uses radar telescopes to defend our planet from space rocks! Edgard Rivera Valentín grew up in Puerto Rico, next to Arecibo, the world’s most powerful radar telescope. Hear the story of how Edgard became a scientist superhero, and the supervillain asteroids they’re up against. A bonus interview episode with Edgard is available to Patreon members who pledge at the $1 level or higher at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Check out more resources about Arecibo and asteroids on our blog, at sciencepodcastforkids.com. Listen to Tumble en Español! Search for “Tumble en Español” wherever you get your podcasts, or on our website under “En Español.”
Can We Time Travel?

21 min 24 May 2024

Is it possible to build a time machine? Can we time travel someday? That’s what Tumble listener Willa wants to know. Clifford Johnson, a theoretical physicist and film consultant, says that there’s real science behind the time travel - and he’ll tell us what it takes to do it. To learn more about time travel, go visit our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com, where you can find all sorts of awesome resources to go along with this episode. This is our last episode of season 9! If you like what we do, why not support our show on Patreon? Just go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast and
Was T. Rex Smart?

24 min 13 December 2024

This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from Season 8! When did smartness begin? We’ll find out how a neuroscientist blends up brains, and cracks the case of the Tyrannosaurus Rex smarts! Suzana Herculano-Houzel helps us answer listener Penny’s question by explaining how “smartness” might not mean what you think - and how all animals have shown off their intelligence over time. Listen to our bonus interview with Suzana on our Patreon when you pledge just $1 a month or more! patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Learn more about Suzana and her work on the evolution of intelligence on the blog on our website,
The Poopologist

21 min 6 September 2024

What do you call a scientist who studies poop? A poopologist! We’re exploring the stinky science of “poopology” at the zoo, to discover what poop can tell us about animal behavior! Poopologist Laurel Wescott, at the Oregon Zoo, will take us on a journey to find how chemicals found in animal poop can help zoo animals stay healthy. Plus, she’ll clue us in on the “cutest” and most surprising poops, and so much more!
How Were Dinosaur Tracks Made?

21 min 20 September 2024

Ever wondered how dinosaurs left their footprints behind millions of years ago? We embark on a prehistoric adventure with renowned paleontologist Paul Olsen! Discover the secrets behind dinosaur tracks and how these ancient prints can tell us incredible stories about the lives of dinosaurs. From the science of fossilization to what these footprints reveal about dinosaur behavior and habitats, Paul Olsen will guide us through the fascinating world of these mysteries left in stone - and share how he discovered thousands of dino tracks when he was just a kid. Join us on a Dino Map Adventure at nepm.org/dinomap! We’ve created a free audio tour to explore the science and history of dinosaur tracks in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts. Lindsay and Marshall will guide you through the place where dinosaur footprints were first discovered - and put you on the path to becoming dino track explorers! Dinosaur Adventures in the Pioneer Valley are supported by The Bement School, The Center School, and HCS Headstart. If you like this episode, consider supporting Tumble on Patreon by going to patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Get ad-free episodes for just $1 a month!
The Monkeyflower Mystery

23 min 4 October 2024

Why do plants grow in different places? How do they adapt to different environments? And what makes them different species? Those are the questions that drove biologist David Lowry to begin a 20 year study of a shape-shifting plant called the yellow monkeyflower. It begins with a road trip, and ends up questioning everything you think you know about the definition of species. Get ready for a wild, plant-fueled ride into science! Hear more from our interview with David, on the special bonus interview episode that’s available to Patreon members who pledge at the $1 level or higher at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Check out photos and video of the yellow monkeyflower on our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com! This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant 2153100: IMAGiNE: The genetic, developmental, and physiological mechanisms of plant local adaptation to oceanic salt spray.
The Secret of the Monkeyflower

20 min 18 October 2024

How do species evolve? Find out in the shocking conclusion of our Monkeyflower mystery series! Plant biologist David Lowry has been tracking down clues to solve the question of why plants look different - and the yellow monkeyflower is more than a suspect. Now, it’s time to take his detective skills up a notch, and use the science of DNA. A twisted discovery will flip the case - and lead to a new chapter in understanding how life evolves. Hear more from our interview with David, on the special bonus interview episode that’s available to Patreon members who pledge at the $1 level or higher at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Check out David’s monkeyflower mystery comic book on our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com! This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant 2153100: IMAGiNE: The genetic, developmental, and physiological mechanisms of plant local adaptation to oceanic salt spray.
Are Cats Evil?

24 min 31 October 2024

Are cats evil? Are they hatching a plot to take over the world? Or are they just misunderstood? Scientist and cat expert Mikel Maria Delgado will tell us how the domestication of cats and dogs changed the way we think of our pets today, and she’ll explain how scientists of all ages can study cat preferences (or purr-fur-ences). Plus, she’ll share some tips on cat do’s and don’ts, so we can learn how to be better friends to our kitty companions.
How Does it Feel to Be in Space?

20 min 15 November 2024

What does it feel like to be in space? That’s what Elijah wants to know. So we’re taking off on a zero-gravity flight to find out! Guest reporter Jason Strother shares the story of Sheri Wells-Jensen, a blind scientist who is paving the way for people with disabilities to go to space. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number # 2148711 - Engaging Blind, Visually Impaired, and Sighted Students in STEM with Storytelling through Podcasts. Learn more about Sheri on the bonus interview episode on our Patreon, at patreon.com/tumblepodcast. Check out the blog on sciencepodcastforkids.com
The Wild Axolotl

25 min 17 January 2025

Why are there so many axolotls in fishtanks, and so few in the wild? That’s what Maximiliano wants to know. You may have found axolotls in the lush caves of Minecraft, but in real life, they live in the lakes and canals of Xochimilco, near Mexico City. But the species is slowly disappearing from its native habitat. Axolotl veterinarian Horacio Mena takes us on a journey to Xochimilco to find out what scientists are doing to save these adorable amphibians. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 2415575.
How Does Vision Work?

25 min 31 January 2025

How does vision work? That’s what Junie wants to know. And is it possible to create vision for people who don’t see? We’ll dive into the mysteries of how we see with Lucas Nadolskis, a scientist who became blind when he was five. Lucas is studying how vision works in the brain to understand if it’s possible to see without using your eyes! Intrigued? Listen in to find out more of the mysteries behind the science of vision! This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number # 2148711 - Engaging Blind, Visually Impaired, and Sighted Students in STEM with Storytelling through Podcasts.
Why are Capybaras So Big?

23 min 14 February 2025

Why do capybaras have such big teeth? Adrian had to know! To get to the bottom of this, we spoke to a biologist named Santiago Herrera Alvarez. Capybaras are Internet sensations, and Santiago can't get enough of them! Santiago's questions were even bigger than capybara teeth: how did capybaras, a relative of rodents like mice and rats, get to be so enormous? Tune in for a capybara rodeo, and stick around to find out how one little animal can grow to superstardom. Want to learn more? Go visit us at sciencepodcastforkids.com for videos, resources, and so much more about the world's biggest rodents! If you want to support Tumble on Patreon, go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number # 2415575 - Culturally Situated STEM Podcasts for Kids.
Why Do Animals Play?

25 min 28 February 2025

Why do some animals play - and some don’t? That’s what Meredith wants to know. In this special collaboration with Outside/In, we investigate how and why animals - and people! - of all shapes and sizes play. Play scientists Junyi Chu and Jackson Ham help us ask the important questions like: Can you tell an octopus to play? And what can rats teach us about why taking turns is important? It turns out that play is serious science! This episode is a collaboration with Outside/In from New Hampshire Public Radio, and co-reported with executive producer Taylor Quimby. Taylor recommends the show for older kids and teens, and suggests these family-friendly episodes for listening together. The $1,000 balloon What's living under your porch You can make kids hike, but you can't make them hikers Learn more about animal play on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com Support Tumble on Patreon at patreon.com/tumblepodcast.
How To Be An Inventor

25 min 14 March 2025

What does it take to become an inventor? To find out, we spoke with an inventor named Josh Miele about one of his greatest inventions: tactile maps! Tactile maps use braille technology to help blind people explore their neighborhoods with their fingers first. But how does Josh create brand-new inventions? Tune in to find out how inventors bring new ideas to life, and stick around to find out whether birds like wearing denim. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number # 2148711 - Engaging Blind, Visually Impaired, and Sighted Students in STEM with Storytelling through Podcasts. If you want to learn more about Josh and all his inventions, go to our blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com, where we've got lots of awesome resources! If you want to make a recurring $5 donation to Tumble, you can go to bit.ly/donatetumble. Or you can
What If Trees Didn't Exist?

22 min 28 March 2025

Have you ever wondered what life on Earth would be like without trees? In this episode of Tumble Science Podcast for Kids, we’re exploring that big question with the help of two curious listeners, Rowan and Neesha! Join Lindsay and Marshall as they talk to plant ecophysiologist Angelica Patterson to uncover the essential role trees play in our world. From providing oxygen to supporting animals and keeping water clean, trees are a crucial part of life as we know it. But could they disappear? And what happens when trees move? Plus, Angelica shares her unique (and surprising!) method for studying trees—spoiler alert: it involves a shotgun! Get ready for a wild journey into forests, photosynthesis, and the impact of climate change on trees. Don’t miss this leafy adventure! Support Tumble on Patreon by visiting patreon.com/tumblepodcast. OR donate to our new non-profit by visiting bit.ly/donatetumble
Was There Ever Nothing?

23 min 11 April 2025

Was there ever nothing in the universe? What is nothing? That’s what listener Aviva wants to know. We turned to particle physicist Dr. Jessica Esquivel to find out! She takes us on a mind-bending journey to ask what existed before the universe began, and how a quantum dance party might have started the Big Bang! This story about subatomic particles, giant magnets, and quantum physics is something that will blow your mind. You can find a transcript of the episode and learn more about the particle party in nothing on the blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com Send us your science questions, ideas and songs to tumblepodcast@gmail.com
Why Is It Calm in the Eye of a Hurricane?

23 min 25 April 2025

Why is the center of a raging storm so… calm? Tumble listener Lydia wants to know what’s really going on in the eye of a hurricane. To find out, we’re flying into the storm — literally — with meteorologist Shirley Murillo! Shirley is a real-life “hurricane hunter” who flies in a specially equipped airplane to collect data from inside the hurricane itself! Discover how hurricanes form, and what keeps the center of the storm calm, and what Shirley learned while flying through Hurricane Katrina, one of the most impactful storms in U.S. history. Buckle up — it's going to be a wild ride! You can find a transcript of the episode and learn more about hurricane hunters on the blog at sciencepodcastforkids.com Send us your science questions to tumblepodcast@gmail.com and leave a review on Apple Podcasts with the help of a grownup!
The Dino Butt Fossil

25 min 17 October 2025

Did dinosaurs sniff each other’s butts like dogs? That’s what listener Ernie wants to know! We’ll dig up the surprising dino discovery that leads to our answer with the help of one of the world’s foremost animal butt experts, Dr. Diane Kelly! You can learn more about Diane, and find a transcript of this episode on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.
Are Ghosts Real?

26 min 29 October 2025

Are ghosts real… or not? That’s what Lily wants to know. To find out, we talk to a real-life Ghostbuster and science historian Efram Sera-Shriar, who takes us on a journey back in time to when the world’s most famous scientists became ghost investigators: Sitting in on séances, inventing ghost-hunting devices, and exposing the tricks of “spirit photography.” Did you know, Thomas Edison made plans to create a phone to call ghosts? Learn all this and more when you join us on the trail of spooooky spirit science! You can learn more about Efram, and find a transcript of this episode on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.
What Sounds Do Fish Make?

23 min 14 November 2025

What sounds do fish make? 🐟🎶 We know that cows say moo, and sheep say baa, but what do fish say? Come explore “Under the Sea” to discover the chorus of fish noises with help from fish ecologist Audrey Looby. We’ll find out how fish can be sneaky, loud, and even “slimy, grumpy cuties” (Audrey’s words) who go boop boop - and what they can tell us about life underwater. 🌊 You can learn more about Audrey, and find a transcript of this episode on the blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com.
The Minecraft Experiment

25 min 12 December 2025

How do people learn — and how can a video game help us find out? In this episode, we meet cognitive scientist Charley Wu, who built the ultimate science “mod” in Minecraft! Journey into a video game world of science to discover how and why Charley used one of the world’s most popular games to follow his curiosity about how humans learn. Featuring a “braintrust” of kid Minecraft experts to explain the game to Lindsay and Marshall, and a song inspired by The Minecraft Movie. You can learn more about Charlie, and find a transcript of this episode on the blog on our website, ⁠sciencepodcastforkids.com⁠.
How Did Earth Begin?

24 min 23 January 2026

How did Earth get created? What did our planet begin as? Why does our world exist? What started our planet? These questions take us back billions of years to learn how Earth formed in the very beginning - and then, we’ll look to a group of mysterious asteroids that might reveal how Earth became the planet it is today. With planetary scientist Bill Bottke, we’ll hear the incredible story of Earth’s earliest days in cinematic style. And get ready for a journey to Jupiter, where a NASA mission you probably haven’t heard of is heading, in hopes of revealing mysteries hidden in the Trojan asteroids. What could they reveal about why our planet came to host life? Listen to find out! Join on Patreon to help us continue to make Tumble: patreon.com/tumblepodcast Shop official Tumble merch: https://tumblepodcast.dashery.com/ Listen to Tumble en Español: https://pod.link/1521514886 Submit a science question: https://
Do Animals Have Friends?

27 min 6 February 2026

In this episode, we talk to two scientists who study animal friendships, in different animals, and in different ways. We’ll hear from Karen Bales, who studies titi monkeys (AKA “fuzzy little guys”) and Annaliese Beery, who studies voles (AKA “the cutest rodents”). Get ready to discover how animal friends play and cuddle - and what they can teach us about our own friendships. This episode was produced thanks to a generous grant from the Greater Good Science Center. Check out their website for all kinds of awesome quizzes, information, and more! Join on Patreon to help us continue to make Tumble: patreon.com/tumblepodcast Shop official Tumble merch: https://tumblepodcast.dashery.com/ Listen to Tumble en Español: https://pod.link/1521514886 Submit a science question: https://
Can Axolotls Teach Us to Grow New Hands?

23 min 20 February 2026

Why do humans usually have five fingers on each hand? And what if one day, we could grow a new finger if we lost one? In this episode, a question from six-year-old listener Ayla sends us on a journey from tiny developing embryos to one of the most amazing animals on Earth: the axolotl. We talk with Dr. Jessica Whited, a Harvard-based biologist who studies how axolotls regrow their limbs - and why humans can’t do the same… for now! Along the way, we discover how our hands develop before we’re born, why evolution settled on five fingers, and axolotls might show us the way to regrow our own limbs. Plus: why axolotls have to live in separate tanks (hint: they’re a little too snack-happy). Join on Patreon to help us continue to make Tumble: patreon.com/tumblepodcast Shop official Tumble merch: https://tumblepodcast.dashery.com/ Listen to Tumble en Español: https://pod.link/1521514886 Submit a science question: https://
What's Dark Matter?

25 min 20 March 2026

What is dark matter? Why do scientists think it exists? How are they searching for it, and why are they doing it in an underground lab?! Join us on the search for dark matter with Alvaro Chavarria, a physicist running a dark matter detector underneath a mountain in the French Alps. We’ll take you inside the lab to visit the detector, and find out why everything we think we know about dark matter… could be wrong. For more, visit our website! Our question comes from Jeronimo, a Tumble en Español listener! To listen to Tumble en Español, use this link to
Do Trees Think?

24 min 3 April 2026

Do trees think? That’s what our listener Alden wants to know. He has an idea that scientists might study mushroom roots to find out if trees are sending messages. Is that true? And if so, what do trees have to say?!We travel deep into the forest with a young soil scientist named Natalia Mondi from the Mother Tree Project, to find out how and why trees communicate through the ecosystem. Along the way, we’ll discover what trees are asking for, how their “forest buds” help them out, and how Natalia is using this knowledge to restore a forest in Canada, guided by the Kwiakah Nation. Join on Patreon to help us continue to make Tumble: patreon.com/tumblepodcast Shop official Tumble merch: https://tumblepodcast.dashery.com/ Listen to Tumble en Español: https://pod.link/1521514886 Submit a science question: https://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/contact

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