A Single Light

Jennifer Vandenberg and Maddy Cable

This podcast will explore science in a way that will increase curiosity in the world around us.

  1. MAY 6

    Snowflakes, Lava, and Tardigrades, oh my!

    Description Temperature affects everything from animals to vegetables tominerals. In today’s grab bag session, we are going to discover how temperature influences snowflake shape, igneous rock formation, the sex of baby turtles, and my favorites, tardigrades. Maddy agreed that if we get ten comments on this session,she will draw a tardigrade. Please comment so the world can get its promised drawing. Jennifer really wants to see it. Credits Co-founders of MooseEel Media, LLC: Jennifer Vandenberg& Maddy Cable Original art: Maddy Cable Research: Jennifer Vandenberg Script: Jennifer Vandenberg & Maddy Cable Editing: Jennifer Vandenberge Editing software: Canva Music: Remember This Moment by Patrick Rundblad Comment below (with kindness) Email us at asinglelight1110@gmail.com And if you want…Subscribe and like!!! Highlighted Link of the Session Snowflakechart TriplePoint of Water Link to Information Used in Session 10 The Morphology Diagram: Snow Crystals.com https://www.snowcrystals.com/morphology/morphology.html  Are All Snowflakes Really Different? The Science of Winter: Smithsonian https://ssec.si.edu/stemvisions-blog/are-all-snowflakes-really-different-science-winter  Triple Point: Science Direct https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/mathematics/triple-point U.S. Standard Atmosphere: Temperature, Pressure, and Air Properties vs. Altitude: The Engineering Toolbox https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/standard-atmosphere-d_604.html  Sublimation: Britannica https://www.britannica.com/science/sublimation-phase-change  Freeze-drying: Britannica https://www.britannica.com/technology/freeze-drying  What is the difference between "magma" and "lava"?: USGS https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-difference-between-magma-and-lava  Igneous Rocks: National Geographic https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/igneous-rocks/  Environmental Sex Determination: National Library of Medicine https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9989/   What causes a sea turtle to be born male or female?: NOAA https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/temperature-dependent.html  Tardigrades: American Scientist https://www.americanscientist.org/article/tardigrades  Tardigrades: National Geographic Kids https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/tardigrade  Highlight: Tardigrades and the Science of Extreme Survival: National Library of Medicine https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10799322/   We finally know how tardigrades can survive extreme conditions: New Scientist https://www.newscientist.com/article/2412569-we-finally-know-how-tardigrades-can-survive-extreme-conditions/ Amazon Store Please note: As an Amazon Associate, MooseEel Media, LLC (Jennifer and Maddy) earns from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on certain links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. From Session 3 – Celsius Whatever Happened to the Metric System?: How America Kept Its Feet by John Bemelmans Marciano https://amzn.to/4lxPz5h

    20 min
  2. APR 29

    Let's Talk About the Weather

    Description The weather depends on many variables, including temperature, air pressure, wind, and humidity. In this session, we are going to learn how temperature can influence the weather. From heat domes to blizzards, temperature is not merely a result of the weather but also a cause. Credits Co-founders of MooseEel Media, LLC: Jennifer Vandenberg& Maddy Cable Original art: Maddy Cable Research: Jennifer Vandenberg Script: Jennifer Vandenberg & Maddy Cable Editing: Jennifer Vandenberge Editing software: Canva Music: Remember This Moment by Patrick Rundblad Comment below (with kindness) Email us at asinglelight1110@gmail.com And if you want…Subscribe and like!!! Link to Information Used in Session 7 What causes weather?: National Centre for Atmospheric Science https://ncas.ac.uk/learn/what-causes-weather    What Are High and Low Pressure Systems? NOAA https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/about/k-12-education/weather-forecasting/what-are-high-and-low-pressure-systems  What Is A Heat Dome? Explaining The Deadly Weather Pattern Behind America's Most Dangerous Summer Days: TheWeather Channel https://weather.com/science/weather-explainers/news/2025-06-20-death-ridge-heat-dome-explainer  What causes a heatwave and how to minimize the impact on your business: Aggreko https://www.aggreko.com/en-us/resources/construction/understanding-heatwaves  Blizzards: UCAR https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/storms/blizzards  Ice Storms: NOAA https://www.weather.gov/safety/winter-ice-frost  What Is A Whiteout? Here’s Your Weather Word Of The Day: The Weather Channel https://weather.com/news/weather/video/what-is-a-whiteout-heres-your-weather-word-of-the-day  What Is the Polar Vortex?”: NOAA https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/about/k-12-education/severe-weather/what-the-polar-vortex  Origin of Wind: NOAA https://www.noaa.gov/jetstream/synoptic/origin-of-wind  How Tornadoes Form: UCAR https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/storms/how-tornadoes-form  Tornados: American Museum of Natural History https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/earth/tornadoes-spinning-thunderstorms  Tornados: MRCC https://mrcc.purdue.edu/living_wx/tornadoes  Three ways NOAA Research works to improve our weather forecasts: NOAA https://research.noaa.gov/three-ways-noaa-research-works-to-improve-our-weather-forecasts/  The Challenges and Complexities of Weather Forecasting: National Weather Service https://www.weather.gov/car/weatherforecasting  Forecasting the Future: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Transforming Weather Prediction and Policy: WorldMeteorological Organization https://wmo.int/media/magazine-article/forecasting-future-role-of-artificial-intelligence-transforming-weather-prediction-and-policy  Weather Analysis and Forecasting: AMS https://www.ametsoc.org/ams/about-ams/ams-statements/statements-of-the-ams-in-force/weather-analysis-and-forecasting2/  Amazon Store Please note: As an Amazon Associate, MooseEel Media, LLC (Jennifer and Maddy) earns from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on certain links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. From Session 3 – Celsius Whatever Happened to the Metric System?: How America Kept Its Feet by John Bemelmans Marciano https://amzn.to/4lxPz5h

    19 min
  3. APR 22

    Critters at home in extreme temperatures

    Description Humans can live in extreme temperatures, but we need external assistance. Animals don’t have jackets or air conditioning, but many of them thrive in extreme areas. In this session, we learn about several animals that live in extreme temperature zones and explore how they survive. Credits Co-founders of MooseEel Media, LLC: Jennifer Vandenberg& Maddy Cable Original art: Maddy Cable Research: Jennifer Vandenberg Script: Jennifer Vandenberg & Maddy Cable Editing: Jennifer Vandenberge Editing software: Canva Music: Remember This Moment by Patrick Rundblad Comment below (with kindness) Email us at asinglelight1110@gmail.com And if you want…Subscribe and like!!! Highlighted Link of the Session  Watch this video on Devil’sHole Pupfish! You will not regret it!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voe1LXhB7bE Link to Information Used in Session 7 How do camels survive in deserts?: Natural History Museum https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/how-do-camels-survive-in-deserts.html  Kangaroo Rat: Organ Pipe Cactus NM https://www.nps.gov/orpi/learn/nature/kangaroo-rat.htm  How does a reindeer keep warm in the winter?: the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd https://www.cairngormreindeer.co.uk/2025/03/14/how-does-a-reindeer-keep-warm-in-the-winter/  Horned Lizards: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum https://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_horned_lizard.php  What happens to Wood Frogs in the Winter?: Chicago Academy of Sciences https://naturemuseum.org/cas/blog/what-happens-to-wood-frogs-in-winter Antarctica’s Icefish keep from freezing thanks to special proteins: Earth Rangers https://www.earthrangers.com/EN/CA/omg_animals/antarcticas-icefish-keep-from-freezing-thanks-to-special-proteins/  How Do Penguins Stay Warm?: Britannica https://www.britannica.com/science/How-Do-Penguins-Stay-Warm  African Skimmer: Laura Erickson’s For the Birds https://www.lauraerickson.com/bird/african-skimmer/  Woolly Bear Caterpillar - Winter Predictor Or Not?: National Weather Service https://www.weather.gov/arx/woollybear  How Animals Survive Temperature Extremes: ACS https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/education/resources/highschool/chemmatters/documents/how-animals-survive-in-extreme-temperatures.pdf  Amazon Store Please note: As an Amazon Associate, MooseEel Media, LLC (Jennifer and Maddy) earns from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on certain links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. From Session 3 – Celsius Whatever Happened to the Metric System?: How America Kept Its Feet by John Bemelmans Marciano https://amzn.to/4lxPz5h

    18 min
  4. APR 15

    Fevers and Shivers

    Description Most of us have had a fever before, and many of us have suffered from extreme cold. Why does the body react in such extreme ways to temperature changes? How have we tried to cure fevers and shivers throughout history? Can sufferingfrom these temperatures heal as well as harm? In today's session, we will explore the causes, problems, and cures of overheating or hypothermia. Credits Co-founders of MooseEel Media, LLC: Jennifer Vandenberg& Maddy Cable Original art: Maddy Cable Research: Jennifer Vandenberg Script: Jennifer Vandenberg & Maddy Cable Editing: Jennifer Vandenberg Editing software: Canva Music: Remember This Moment by Patrick Rundblad Comment below (with kindness) Email us at asinglelight1110@gmail.com And if you want…Subscribe and like!!! Highlighted Link of the Session  This article has a great list of the variety of diseases that have fevers as symptoms Fever, fever patterns and diseases called ‘fever’ – A review: Science Direct https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034111000256 Link to Information Used in Session 7 History of Body Temperature:Springer Nature https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-21886-7_2  Alcohol and Cold: PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1811578/  38°C: Fever, Thermometry, and the Coming into Being of a Global Norm, ca. 1868–1890: The University of Chicago https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10.1086/733980  Carl Reinhold August Wunderlich: Grokipedia https://grokipedia.com/page/carl_reinhold_august_wunderlich  Carl Reinhold August Wunderlich and the Evolution of Clinical Thermometry: Oxford Academic https://academic.oup.com/cid/article-abstract/18/3/458/739639?redirectedFrom=PDF  A critical appraisal of 98.6 degrees F, the upper limit of the normal body temperature, and other legacies of Carl Reinhold August Wunderlich: NIH https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1302471/  The Mutter Museum https://muttermuseum.org/   Fever: Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20352759  Mary Mallon (1869-1938) and thehistory of typhoid fever: PubMed https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3959940/  Cold-related Illnesses in Workers: CDC https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/cold-stress/about/related-illness.html  Frostbite: John Hopkins Medicine https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/frostbite  Hypothermia: Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothermia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352682  Video: The Man Who Froze To Death and Came Back To Life: ASAPScience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUnqW9xWlLA&t=350s  The chilling truth: Exploring the health benefits and risks of cryotherapy: Mayo Clinic https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/living-well/the-chilling-truth-exploring-the-health-benefits-and-risks-of-cryotherapy/  Decreasing human body temperature in the United States since the Industrial Revolution: elife https://elifesciences.org/articles/49555  Amazon Store Please note: As an Amazon Associate, MooseEel Media, LLC (Jennifer and Maddy) earns from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on certain links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.  From Session 3 – Celsius  Whatever Happened to the MetricSystem?: How America Kept Its Feet by John Bemelmans Marciano https://amzn.to/4lxPz5h

    19 min
  5. APR 8

    Saunas and Freezers

    Description Lots of places on Earth are hot or cold, but a few get extremely hot or extremely cold. In this session, we will visit some of these places and learn why they are more extreme than any other place on Earth. Credits Co-founders of MooseEel Media, LLC: Jennifer Vandenberg& Maddy Cable Original art: Maddy Cable Research: Jennifer Vandenberg Script: Jennifer Vandenberg & Maddy Cable Editing: Jennifer Vandenberge Editing software: Canva Music: Remember This Moment by Patrick Rundblad Comment below (with kindness) Email us at asinglelight1110@gmail.com And if you want…Subscribe and like!!!   Highlighted Link of the Session Fascinating article about Oymyakon, Russia Photos From the Coldest City onEarth: Smithsonian https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/photos-coldest-city-earth-180953888/  Link to Information Used in Session 6 Records of Weather and Climate Extremes: WMO https://wmo.int/sites/default/files/2025-07/Table_Records_25Jul2025.pdf  World Weather and Climate Extremes Archive: WMO https://wmo.int/site/world-weather-and-climate-extremes-archive The Hottest Place on Earth and 9 Scorching Contenders: howstuffworks https://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather/atmospheric/hottest-place-on-earth.htm   Top 10 hottest places on Earth 2025: BBC Science Focus https://www.sciencefocus.com/planet-earth/hottest-place-on-earth  Ahvaz: Britannica https://www.britannica.com/place/Ahvaz  Foehn: ScienceDirect https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/foehn  What are the 10 coldest places on Earth?: BBC Science Focus https://www.sciencefocus.com/planet-earth/what-are-the-10-coldest-places-on-earth  Coldest Place on Earth: NASA https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/4126/   9 of the Coldest Places on Earth: Treehugger https://www.treehugger.com/coldest-places-in-the-world-to-live-4869363  How Scientists Are Helping Cities Adapt to Extreme Heat: Berkeley Lab https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2023/08/23/how-scientists-are-helping-cities-adapt-to-extreme-heat/  Amazon Store Please note: As an Amazon Associate, MooseEel Media, LLC (Jennifer and Maddy) earns from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on certain links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. From Session 3 – Celsius Whatever Happened to the Metric System?: How America Kept Its Feet by John Bemelmans Marciano https://amzn.to/4lxPz5h

    19 min
  6. APR 1

    How Do Thermometers Work?

    Description Thermometers are so common in our lives that we rarely thinkof what they are made of or how they work. In this session, we look at the different types of materials used on the inside and outside of thermometers, then peer into the future to see what is next (can anyone say quantum?). Credits Co-founders of MooseEel Media, LLC: Jennifer Vandenberg& Maddy Cable Original art: Maddy Cable Research: Jennifer Vandenberg Script: Jennifer Vandenberg & Maddy Cable Editing: Jennifer Vandenberge Editing software: Canva Music: Remember This Moment by Patrick Rundblad Comment below (with kindness) Email us at asinglelight1110@gmail.com And if you want…Subscribe and like!!!   Link to Information Used in Session 5 Check this one out first! It’s the picture of the crazy thermometer. History of the Thermometer: PubMed Central https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7120475/  The Weight of the Air: Santorio’s Thermometers and the Early History of Medical Quantification Reconsidered: PubMed Central https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6407691/  Scientific Glassblowing: The Scientific Glassblowing Learning Center https://www.ilpi.com/glassblowing/glassblowing.html The fascinating history of thermometers: these silent temperature guards.: Guilcor Instruments https://www.thermometer.eu/blogs/thermometers-guide-1/the-fascinating-history-of-thermometers-these-silent-temperature-guards  The Challenge: Make a Thermometer: Rough Science https://www.pbs.org/weta/roughscience/series2/challenges/thermometer/page3.html  Thermometer Speed—How to Properly Compare Instruments: ThermoWorks https://blog.thermoworks.com/thermometer-speed-how-to-properly-compare-instruments/  Molecular Thermometry: PubMed Central https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2892932/  Thermometer Market Size to Hit USD 4.11 Billion by 2032: Yahoo Finance https://finance.yahoo.com/news/thermometer-market-size-hit-usd-123000534.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAIUShQryO_iD5Vwc9ig4A4mncNvgmucZfiMr1WW2A9Cgmr9WnxOYGFwRPXy2qUv3bBu7FAqt6UNFi1BEDTn6qKhK4uoWrUXlPpmuxFGqYmCSyACJ-vexT6f5UOx7Op4sAUXO_C__EF5KzCXe0Mi1YnqRTb3AsIJYIpbWl6O19zOD  History and Future of Plastics: Science History Institute https://www.sciencehistory.org/education/classroom-activities/role-playing-games/case-of-plastics/history-and-future-of-plastics/  Atomic Thermometers: NIST https://www.nist.gov/programs-projects/atomic-thermometers  Amazon Store Please note: As an Amazon Associate, MooseEel Media, LLC (Jennifer and Maddy) earns from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on certain links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. From Session 3 – Celsius Whatever Happened to the Metric System?: How America Kept Its Feet by John Bemelmans Marciano https://amzn.to/4lxPz5h

    18 min
  7. MAR 25

    Then There Was Kelvin

    Description Oh Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, look at what you’ve done. In this session, we will explore everything Lord Kevin, aka Sir William Thomson, contributed to the science of thermometers. Along the way, Jennifer will dive into Quantum Physics, but she stays in the shallow end. Credits Co-founders of MooseEel Media, LLC: Jennifer Vandenberg& Maddy Cable Original art: Maddy Cable Research: Jennifer Vandenberg Script: Jennifer Vandenberg & Maddy Cable Editing: Jennifer Vandenberge Editing software: Canva Music: Remember This Moment by Patrick Rundblad Comment below (with kindness) Email us at asinglelight1110@gmail.com And if you want…Subscribe and like!!!   Link to Information Used in Session 4 Kelvin: Introduction https://www.nist.gov/si-redefinition/kelvin-introduction   Later life of William Thomson, Baron Kelvin: Britannica https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Thomson-Baron-Kelvin/Later-life  Celebrating the life and work of Sir William Thomson Baron Kelvin of Largs: University of Glasgow https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/physics/theschool/lordkelvin/  What is Quantum Physics?: Caltech https://scienceexchange.caltech.edu/topics/quantum-science-explained/quantum-physics  Thermodynamics: Britannica https://www.britannica.com/science/thermodynamics  SI Units – Temperature: NIST https://www.nist.gov/pml/owm/si-units-temperature  Amazon Store Please note: As an Amazon Associate, MooseEel Media, LLC (Jennifer and Maddy) earns from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on certain links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. From Session 3 – Celsius Whatever Happened to the Metric System?: How America Kept Its Feet by John Bemelmans Marciano https://amzn.to/4lxPz5h

    19 min
  8. MAR 18

    A Scale Named Celsius

    A worldwide phenomenon, Celsius is the late runner that took over the world. In session 3 of our series on temperature, we learn which few countries still use the Fahrenheit scale, who Anders Celsius was, and how his temperature scale became an international standard. In the end, we decide if it is time for the United States to join the world in embracing Celsius.   Credits Co-founders of MooseEel Media, LLC: Jennifer Vandenberg& Maddy Cable Original art: Maddy Cable Research: Jennifer Vandenberg Script: Jennifer Vandenberg & Maddy Cable Editing: Jennifer Vandenberge Editing software: Canva Music: Remember This Moment by Patrick Rundblad Comment below (with kindness) Email us at asinglelight1110@gmail.com And if you want…Subscribe and like!!!   Link to Information Used in Session 3 Countries That Use Fahrenheit 2026 – World Population Review https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-that-use-fahrenheit   Celsius Made His Thermometer Upside Down – Veritasium (Video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjht4oAByCI  History of the Celsius temperature scale – Astro.uu https://www.astro.uu.se/history/celsius_scale.html Anders Celsius (1701) – Energy Kids (US EIA) https://www.eia.gov/kids/history-of-energy/famous-people/celsius.php  The Legacy of Anders Celsius – JSTOR https://daily.jstor.org/the-legacy-of-anders-celsius/  SI Units – Temperature – NIST https://www.nist.gov/pml/owm/si-units-temperature  Celsius temperature scale – Britannica https://www.britannica.com/technology/Celsius-temperature-scale   Busting Myths about the Metric System – NIST https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/busting-myths-about-metric-system   The change to Celsius in U.S. remains stalled; here's why – Spectrum News https://spectrumlocalnews.com/mo/st-louis/weather/2023/02/20/the-change-to-celsius-in-u-s--remains-stalled--here-s-why  Amazon Store Please note: As an Amazon Associate, MooseEel Media, LLC (Jennifer and Maddy) earns from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on certain links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Whatever Happened to the Metric System?: How America Kept Its Feet by John Bemelmans Marciano https://amzn.to/4lxPz5h

    18 min

About

This podcast will explore science in a way that will increase curiosity in the world around us.