Science Journal for Kids

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Channel • 3 Shows

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Updated 12/14/2023
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09/23/2023

Ask-a-Scientist E8: Dr. Jen Stern, space scientist at NASA

Read Jen's student-friendly article “What can we learn from carbon on Mars?” at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-can-we-learn-from-carbon-on-mars/ It's available in two reading levels in English and also translated into Spanish. For a full transcript and photos, go to https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/lesson-ideas/ask-a-scientist-podcast-e8-dr-jen-stern-space-scientist-nasa/ Original paper: https://www.pnas.org/doi/suppl/10.1073/pnas.2201139119 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

09/23/2023

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34 min
12/14/2023

Ask-a-Scientist E10: Dr. Will Beckerson, zombie insects researcher

Read Will's kid-friendly article "How do some fungi turn insects into zombies?" in two reading levels (for middle to high school) and in Spanish at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-some-fungi-turn-insects-into-zombies/. Find the original paper we adapted at https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.01872-21. Read a follow-up kid-friendly article "Which chemical makes ants walk like zombies?" at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/which-chemical-makes-ants-walk-like-zombies/ See photos of zombified insects and of Will's tattoos and read the full transcript of the interview in our companion post at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/lesson-ideas/ask-a-scientist-podcast-e10-will-beckerson-zombie-insects-researcher/. Learn more about Will's most recent work, including a Zombie Ant VR game and his popular TikTok channels at https://www.williamcbeckersonphd.com/. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

12/14/2023

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32 min
04/20/2023

Ask-a-Scientist E4: Dr. Emily Fairfax, beaver scientist

Read the student-friendly article by Emily Fairfax "Would beavers make good firefighters?" at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/would-beavers-make-good-firefighters/ It is accompanied by an original lesson plan: Beavers - a townhall role-play activity Get the latest updates about Emily on her website: https://emilyfairfaxscience.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

04/20/2023

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37 min
JAN 31

E179: How does your brain know which food made you sick? [SJK Audio Edition]

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-does-your-brain-know-which-food-made-you-sick/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/y0ySCVZrZgM Summary: Scientists studied how the brain links new flavors with delayed sickness by replaying flavor memories in the amygdala. Abstract: Sometimes food makes you feel sick long after you eat it. But how does your brain know which food caused the problem? We wanted to find out. We studied this question in mice. First, we gave them a sweet drink with a flavor that was either new or familiar. Then, after a short delay, we caused mild sickness and looked at their brains. The amygdala, a brain area for memory, “replayed” the flavor signal when the stomach sent the sickness signal. This replay made the memory stronger. Mice then avoided the new flavor that made them sick, but not the familiar flavor that hadn’t made them sick in the past. This shows how the brain bridges the gap between eating and later feeling sick. You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe. But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it. If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Jan 31

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11 min
03/13/2023

Ask-a-Scientist E3: Dr. María-Teresa Ramírez-Herrera, Earth scientist

Read María-Teresa's student-friendly article "How can the eruption of a volcano affect the ocean everywhere on Earth?" at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-the-eruption-of-a-volcano-affect-the-ocean-everywhere-on-earth/ It's available in two reading levels in English and also translated into Spanish (here). Watch the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano erupt here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

03/13/2023

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33 min
07/26/2023

E93: What can we learn about dinosaur skin using a laser? [SJK Audio Edition]

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-can-we-learn-about-dinosaur-skin-using-a-laser/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/XnEJihYBR6E Summary: Scientists used a new laser method to analyze a dinosaur fossil to learn more about its skin. Abstract: Have you ever wondered how we know what dinosaurs looked like millions of years ago? We analyze fossils! When you think about dinosaur fossils, you might think about bones and footprints. But sometimes fossils contain pieces of skin. One example is the Psittacosaurus fossil located in a German museum. Many scientists examined the scaly skin of this specimen. We then re-examined this fossil using a technique called laser-stimulated fluorescence. This technique helped us gather information that was not visible under normal light. We found that the shape and size of the scales of the Psittacosaurus are not the same everywhere. We also learned that there are patterns in the scales. These patterns are unique to the family of dinosaurs to which the Psittacosaurus belongs. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

07/26/2023

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10 min
10/23/2023

Ask-a-Scientist E9: Dr. Jay Jinsing Falk, hummingbird researcher

Read Jay's student-friendly article “What does hummingbird coloration tell us about competition?” at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-does-hummingbird-coloration-tell-us-about-competition/ It's available in two reading levels in English and also translated into Spanish. Visit Jay's website to learn more at https://jayjinsing.github.io/ReadingList/ Original paper: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rspb.2022.0332 Review paper mentioned in the interview: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-019-1019-7 For a full transcript of this interview and photos, go to https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/lesson-ideas/ask-a-scientist-podcast-jay-falk-hummingbird-researcher/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

10/23/2023

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33 min
04/02/2024

E119: How do bumble bees play? [SJK Audio Edition]

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-bumble-bees-play/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/gT0LECbcxHk Summary: Researchers wanted to find out whether bumble bees take part in object play. Abstract: Have you watched cute cat videos or funny dog compilations? Or primates “monkeying around”? Then you know that mammals love to play. Even the dancing cockatiel has gone viral! But have you ever considered whether insects play “for fun”? We did an experiment to test whether bumble bees take part in object play. We wanted to see whether they would interact and play with wooden balls. We found that the bumble bees did play with a ball-rolling action. Their behavior fulfilled our expectations of play in animals. What's more, they also found it rewarding! We ruled out the possibility that the ball rolling was an attempt to look for food or to mate. This suggests that bumble bees may be more capable of feeling than we had thought! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

04/02/2024

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10 min
10/28/2024

E142: What are the benefits of Marine Protected Areas?

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-are-the-benefits-of-marine-protected-areas/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/mTdP4plixKw Summary: Researchers wanted to assess the economic benefits of marine protected areas. Abstract: You have probably heard that the ocean is in trouble. One reason is that we are catching too many fish, which is bad for the fish and the environment. But there is a cool solution to that problem called Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). These are special zones in the ocean where fishing is limited. This gives fish a chance to grow and thrive! But some people argue that they are not helpful and make it hard for fisheries. So are there any benefits of MPAs? To find out, we reviewed 81 articles from 37 countries. It turned out that MPAs not only help fish but also fisheries. Near most MPAs, fishermen catch more and find bigger fish. Moreover, MPAs make a lot of money through tourism! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

10/28/2024

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8 min
04/22/2024

E122: Why don't whales get cancer? [SJK Audio Edition]

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/why-dont-whales-get-cancer/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/C11YMSLV_e4 Summary: Researchers wanted to discover how the genomes of the humpback whale have evolved to help them avoid developing cancer. Abstract: Every day, the cells in your body are super busy growing and dividing. When something goes wrong, mutations appear. Our immune system usually detects cells with mistakes and kills them before they become a problem. But sometimes they go undetected and the rogue cell multiplies, turning into cancer. So, if an animal has more cells and a longer life, it should get more cancer. Whales have up to 1,000 times more cells than humans and some live for over 200 years. But their cancer rates are no higher than ours! To figure out why this is, we compared the humpback whale and other whale genomes to other mammal genomes. Our DNA analysis showed that in whales there was duplication of cancer-suppressing genes. We also found that whales have the slowest rate of genetic changes. Our findings help us understand the role of DNA in preventing cancer. It could also help us fight cancer in humans! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

04/22/2024

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11 min

We publish cutting-edge peer-reviewed science research adapted for students and their teachers.

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Science Journal for Kids

Top Shows

Ask-a-Scientist E8: Dr. Jen Stern, space scientist at NASA

Ask-a-Scientist E10: Dr. Will Beckerson, zombie insects researcher

Ask-a-Scientist E4: Dr. Emily Fairfax, beaver scientist

E179: How does your brain know which food made you sick? [SJK Audio Edition]

Ask-a-Scientist E3: Dr. María-Teresa Ramírez-Herrera, Earth scientist

E93: What can we learn about dinosaur skin using a laser? [SJK Audio Edition]

Ask-a-Scientist E9: Dr. Jay Jinsing Falk, hummingbird researcher

E119: How do bumble bees play? [SJK Audio Edition]

E142: What are the benefits of Marine Protected Areas?

E122: Why don't whales get cancer? [SJK Audio Edition]

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