Brains On! Universe Podcast Shows

Channel • 6 Shows

02/11/2021

Shark teeth: The sharp bits of a squishy animal

In this episode, we’re asking sharks to say “aaaah”, and taking a close look at their chompers. We’ll see how shark teeth grow, and what those teeth can teach us about sharks of the past. We’ll also play a game of Jaws Jeopardy, and find out how sharks help keep the ocean helping with their super snacking. Stick around for a listener-submitted mystery sound and a Moment of Um: why does steam rise in the air? This episode was sponsored by: Shopify (shopify.com/brainson)

02/11/2021

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33 min
23/11/2021

What happens if you drop a feather in space?

In space, will a feather stay still? Fall down? Float away? Turns out, the answer depends on where you are! But one thing affects your feather no matter what: gravity! So Galileo is joining us all the way from the 1500s to fill us in on his theory about gravity. Then, we’re heading to space, and dropping a feather in a few different places to see what happens. Listen closely for a listener-submitted mystery sound, and a moment of um that answers this question: If you pick a flower, fruit or vegetable, is it still alive or is it dead? This episode is sponsored by Flip and Mozi's Guide to How to be an Earthling. To support the show, head to Brainson.org/donate

23/11/2021

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33 min
19/10/2021

Crystals: More than just shiny rocks

This episode shines a light on crystals, and they’re sparkling right back at us! We’ll zoom way in on a diamond to understand the structure that makes crystals special, and hear about some unexpected crystals, too (hint: chocolate chip cookies contain a few different crystals!). Then, we take a look at how crystals form and get their cool colors. Plus, Marc and Sanden hunt down a hoax about Mesoamerican crystal skulls. And! A mystery sound and a moment of um: why does sugar taste sweet? This episode was sponsored by: Indeed (indeed.com/brainson)

19/10/2021

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35 min
27/12/2022

Is it possible to clone yourself?

Imagine an exact copy of you, someone with the same hair, eyes and DNA. That’s a clone. Scientists have been able to make clones of some animals. In this episode, we’ll hear the story of Dolly the sheep, the most famous clone ever! We’ll also talk about why people think it would be ethically wrong to clone humans. But natural human clones DO exist! They’re called identical twins and even though they share the same DNA, they can be quite different. We’ll meet two identical twins to talk about their differences, plus an all new Mystery Sound for your ears! This episode was sponsored by; Mathnasium (Mathnasium.com - Contact Mathnasium for a free in-center or online consultation.) Thrive Market (Thrive.com/brains - Join Thrive Market today and get 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift.)

27/12/2022

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38 min
01/02/2022

Do we live in a multiverse?

Get ready to learn the science behind the multiverse! That’s the idea that our universe isn’t the only universe out there. What if there were other, different universes existing alongside our own? Ones with different laws of physics, different planets and stars… or maybe even different versions of us! In this episode we explain a few different theories behind this popular idea. Plus, we’ll learn some quantum mechanics, hear about string theory and meet many different versions of Sanden. All that and a brand new Mystery Sound!Today’s episode is sponsored by Truebill (truebill.com/brainson) and Shopify (shopify.com/brainson). You can support the show by donating at brainson.org/donate or pre-order our books at brainson.org/books.Tell us about the place you’d like to make sure you see during your trip around the world at brainson.org/contact

01/02/2022

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38 min
16/11/2021

The innies and outies of belly buttons

Today’s episode is all about your belly button aka navel aka umbilicus. And not just your belly button -- every single person you can think of has one. This means our listeners have LOTS of questions about them. We're going to tackle several of these fascinating navel-gazing questions like: is your belly button connected to your insides? Where does belly button fuzz come from? Why do some belly buttons stick out? And do cats and dogs have belly buttons? Plus, we have a tricky mystery sound for you to guess and a Moment of Um that answers the question: How do carrots grow if they don't have seeds? This episode was sponsored by: Indeed (indeed.com/brainson)

16/11/2021

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29 min
09/11/2021

A guide to getting your COVID shot

Kids over 5 can now get a COVID vaccine in the U.S. We know a lot of you have been waiting for this day and lots of you have sent us questions about the vaccine since the pandemic started: like what's in the COVID vaccine? How does it work? How do scientists know it's safe? And even if the vaccine isn’t available to you where you live yet, this episode will answer those questions -- and there are some fun games you can play along with us! If you have more questions about how COVID, the vaccines or anything else, you can send them to us here. Plus we've got some tips for how to distract yourself if you're feeling nervous, and an original song designed to help you shake that arm after the shot so it doesn't get as sore. Dance those ouchies away! Also: Three (3!) mystery sounds and a Moment of Um that answers the question: How does concrete harden? Find the rest of our episodes about the coronavirus and COVID vaccines here. How do the mRNA vaccines work? And you can learn more about the vaccine trials for kids in this episode: How effective are the COVID vaccines?

09/11/2021

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36 min
31/03/2020

Do plants have feelings?

There’s more to plants than meets the eye. They detect sounds, they defend themselves against insect attacks and they can even send each other secret messages through the wind! Our leafy, green friends sense and interact with the world in their own, planty way. We’ll learn all about it in this episode, plus we’ll find out why some plants like to grow in spots where other plants have died. We’ve also got a Mystery Sound and a Moment of Um that answers the question: why do bats sleep upside down? This episode is sponsored by Khan Academy (khan.com/freekidsapp)

31/03/2020

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33 min
02/04/2019

Mystery Sound Extravaganza 2019

This episode is an ear-tickler! Guess your way through eleven mystery sounds — one from a scientist, and ten from listeners like you! Plus, another mystery: what’s making Marc and Sanden dance to the sounds of a door jamb and a printer? Stick around for all these reveals, and the answer to a new Moment of Um: Why is air invisible? This episode of Brains On is sponsored by the Kevin Henkes book, "Sweeping up the Heart,” Panama City Beach (visitpanamacitybeach.com), and Philo (philo.tv/brains). You can support the show at brainson.org/donate

02/04/2019

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32 min
05/02/2019

Are we still evolving?

In this episode, we climb up, down and all around our evolutionary family tree. When did we branch off from our more ape-like ancestors? And will we evolve one day into a different species altogether? We'll meet a bearded scientist from 160 years ago (no, not Charles Darwin) and eat some sundaes (thanks lactase persistence!). Plus a brand new Moment of Um answers the question: Do insects have the same blood as humans? This episode is sponsored by: Calm (calm.com/brainson) Quip (getquip.com/brainson) The podcast Josie and Jonny are Having a Baby With You. You can support Brains On at brainson.org/donate

05/02/2019

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33 min

The Brains On Universe is your number one stop for award-winning podcasts for kids and curious adults. Check out shows like Brains On, Forever Ago, Smash Boom Best and Moment of Um. Whether you love science, history, debate or just want cool facts to impress your friends with, we’ve got you covered. Brains On Universe podcasts are produced by American Public Media. Learn more at www.brainson.org

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Top Shows

Shark teeth: The sharp bits of a squishy animal

What happens if you drop a feather in space?

Crystals: More than just shiny rocks

Is it possible to clone yourself?

Do we live in a multiverse?

The innies and outies of belly buttons

A guide to getting your COVID shot

Do plants have feelings?

Mystery Sound Extravaganza 2019

Are we still evolving?

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