Ask Dr. Universe

Send us a textToday I'm talking with Von Walden, an atmospheric scientist at Washington State University.Hear about Earth's bubble of gases AKA the atmosphereLearn why clouds can be weird in the polar regionsFind out what an expert thinks about climate change—and how optimistic he is about the futureResources You Can UseCheck out AMNH's climate change resourcesWatch these polar bear camsLearn more about the polar regionsFind out more about clouds and make a cloud in a jar As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Send us a textWhat up with the small intestine and the large intestine? Join Cosmo and me—and our friend Franck Carbonero, microbiologist at Washington State University—to break down how we break down food.You'll hear:how the intestines differ in size and functionall about your gut bacteriathe journey food takes through your digestive tractResources you can use:American Museum of Natural History's microbiology resourcesFrontiers for Young Minds' explainer on fermentationNational Geographic Kids' info on the human digestive systemSound effects courtesy Zapsplat As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Send us a textPurr-haps you'd like a new way to get your claws on science questions sent in by kids like you. That's litter-ally my favorite thing.Today Cosmo and I tackle a question from William, 7, from the United Kingdom: Why is snot green?You'll hear:What mucus isWhat protein makes mucus green sometimesHow immune cells trap irritants and stuff that can make you sickResources you can use:Check out Operation Ouch's Science of SnotLearn about the nursing career As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Send us a textPurr-haps you'd like a new way to get your claws on science questions sent in by kids like you. That's litter-ally my favorite thing.Today Cosmo and I tackle a question from Hillary's 1st graders in Washington: What makes snow sparkle?You'll hear:How snowflakes are hexagonal ice crystalsAbout white light and rainbow colorsWhat reflection and refraction meanResources you can use:Check out Von Walden's research near the North Pole and South PoleLearn about atmospheric science As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Send us a textWelcome back, young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe.  If you're anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world. Today I'm talking to WSU biological anthropologist Thomas Siek.Hear about all kinds of anthropologyFind out how Dr. Siek studied bones from the Middle Ages in PolandLearn how clues in bones help solve crimes with forensic anthropologyResources You Can UseWatch this NPR team use forensic anthropology to figure out info about a skeleton from a high school art classSee how fast you can build a human skeletonCheck out the anthropology collections at the Smithsonian As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Send us a textPurr-haps you'd like a new way to get your claws on science questions sent in by kids like you. That's litter-ally my favorite thing.Today Cosmo and I tackle a question from Gabby, 9, in Kansas: Why do bees make honey?You'll hear:What a bee proboscis is and why bees are so adorably hairyWhy some people call honey "bee barf" and what trophollaxis is How bees make foods like bee bread and honeyResources you can use:Check out these baby beesLearn how to make homes for native bees (they're like cousins to honey bees)Read the answer to this question here: Why do bees make honey? As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Send us a textWelcome back, young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe.  If you're anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world. Today I'm talking to WSU environmental archeologist John Blong.Hear what environmental archeology isLearn about fossilized poop—AKA coprolites—and what they reveal to scientistsFind out when the first people came to North AmericaResources You Can UseFollow these interactive digs or talk to your grownup about skyping with a scientist from the Archaeological Institute of AmericaCheck out these famous archeologistsRun through these archeology lessons or show them to your teacher As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Send us a textWelcome back, young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe. If you're anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world.Today, the 4th graders at Palouse Prairie Charter School take Dr. Universe and her cougar cub friend Cosmo back in time to the formation of the universe.Join our intrepid science team as they explore the Big BangHear about how the sun worksLearn about the Chicxulub asteroid that wiped out the dinosaursAll sound effects courtesy of Freesound.Explosion Outdoors Evan BoyermanF16 Takeoff SandermotionsBig boom SamsterBirdiesDramatic evil music Humanoid9000Snr_whoosh aishabag23Bing bong TimbreAsteroid toxicnunRadio static: eddy15Whoosh.spaceship newlocknewDynamite explosion in the mountain felix.blumeDramatic acoustic guitar music LolaMooreWant to make a podcast episode with your class or group? Ping me at dr.universe@wsu.edu As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Send us a textWelcome back, young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe. If you're anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world.Today, the 4th graders at Palouse Prairie Charter School take Dr. Universe and her cougar cub friend Cosmo on an earth science adventure.Join our intrepid science team as they dig for fossilsHear about the supercontinent PangeaLearn about volcanoes and earthquakesAll sound effects courtesy of Freesound.Radio static: eddy15Steps on the sand field: rodrigovazMoving a boulder: BW_ClowesDigging with pick axe: cameronmusicTsunamiBeach: acclivityLandslide: bikesandbassboiVolcanoexplosion: craigsmithFlagstones scraping: MetzikWant to make a podcast episode with your class or group? Ping me at dr.universe@wsu.edu As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Send us a textWelcome back, young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe.  If you're anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world. Today I'm talking to WSU astronomer Michael Allen.Learn what an astronomer does and what their day looks likeHear how people who do astronomy as a hobby contribute to the fieldFind out what Dr. Allen thinks about aliensResources You Can UseCheck out Zooniverse to find a research project you can help withFind a robotic telescope to use from MicroObservatory or SkyNetLearn about the Jewett Observatory at WSU As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Send us a Text Message.Welcome back, young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe.  If you're anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world. Today I'm talking to WSU veterinarian Jessica Bunch.Learn what a veterinarian does and funny things that happenHear about how Dr. Bunch gives acupuncture to all kinds of animals Resources You Can UseCheck out ag careers with Future Farmers of America and 4-HBrowse the House Rabbit Society or the Humane SocietySome veterinarians use fear-free methods to keep animals unstressed As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Send us a Text Message.Welcome back, young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe.  If you're anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world. Today we're talking to nurse practitioner Bevan Briggs. Warning! This episode very briefly mentions intestines, body fluids, shots, stitches, broken bones, surgery, kids putting on pretend wounds (with intestines!) to help EMTs train, and the fact animals are butchered for food in some homes. If that doesn't sound like something you'd like to hear, I'll catch you on the next one. If you're not sure, ask your grownup to preview the audio or transcript. (I used italics in the transcript for anything that might be a little bit gross so it's easier to scan.) =^..^=Learn what a nurse practitioner doesHear about seeing surgery for the first time and wearing pretend wounds to help train EMTs on ambulances when he was a kidDiscover what nursing school and nurse practitioner school are likeResources You Can UseDo this body parts word search or labeling gameCheck out weird body stuff: how dogs detect things in your breath, why gross stuff makes us squeamish, and how scientists study viruses As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Welcome back, young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe.  If you're anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world. Today we're talking about birds with Wes Dowd, a marine biologist and environmental physiologist at Washington State University. Learn about tiny crustaceans called copepods, which are a type of plankton— and rock out to this song about zooplanktonCheck out ocean mussels and their freshwater cousinsDiscover how to explore tide pools gentlyResources You Can UseSpend some time on the American Museum of Natural History's marine biology pageLearn more about ocean plankton with Black in Marine Science As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Welcome back, young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe.  If you're anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world. Today we're talking about birds with Jennifer Phillips, an ecologist at Washington State University. Learn about sensory pollution and the difference between a phenotype and a genotypeFind out how birds get tagged and measured—and how it's a little bit like an alien abductionHear Dr. Phillips' journey to be a scientist, her favorite bird fact and how being a scientist is like being a spyResources You Can UseCheck out this video that shows how a cardinal's syrinx makes two sounds at onceDid you know there's a poisonous bird? Meet the PitohuiLearn all about birds with Audubon for KidsEnjoy these spy activities from the Spy Museum As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Welcome back, young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe.  If you're anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world. Today we're talking about libraries with David Luftig, a science librarian at Washington State University. Find out what a science librarian is and how to become oneLearn how the resources at WSU's Owen Science and Engineering Library and Holland and Terrell Libraries are there for everyone in WashingtonHear how everyone is a scientist—including youResources You Can UseText, chat, email or tweet at a WSU librarian—or schedule a time to work together one-on-oneLook at this cool taxidermy bear that lives in the science libraryBrowse vintage photos and digital media from Washington and  the PalouseCheck out some of the rare books and collections at WSU As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Welcome back, young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe.  If you're anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world. Today we're talking about learning with Kira Carbonneau, an educational psychologist at Washington State University. Find out what educational psychologist is and how Dr. Carbonneau became oneLearn the difference between quantitative research and qualitative researchHear Dr. Carbonneau's advice for being a good learner—and what it has to do with the movie SingResources You Can UseSee the What Works Clearinghouse yourselfCheck out what Dr. Carbonneau taught me about having a growth mindset As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Welcome back, young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe.  If you're anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world. Today we're talking about babies with Masha Gartstein, a psychologist who studies infant temperament at Washington State University. Learn about the individual differences that make up a baby's temperament and how scientists study it in the lab with real babies (Hint: It involves Halloween masks!)Hear about Dr. Gartstein's job and her advice for kids who want to be scientistsResources You Can UseCheck out the Gartstein Infant Temperament Lab to learn more about Dr. Gartstein's work and see adorable photos of babies in the labWatch the trailer for Babies, Season 2 (Netflix). Dr. Gartstein is on the episode called "Nature and Nurture." Some episodes from the first season are available on YouTube. As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Welcome back, young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe.  If you're anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world.  Do you love insects? Me, too. In this episode, we meet Rich Zack, an insect scientist at Washington State University. Learn about entomology, the study of insects and arthropods like spiders and scorpions, and how to study insects right now.Hear how Dr. Zack discovered his passion for entomology in college—and how there's a place in science for everyone.Resources You Can UseHave an insect to identify? Try BugGuide or iNaturalistCheck out insect content and community science projects at Xerces Society— and become a Xerces KidSee some of the WSU entomology museum with this throwback videoWatch ultraHD videos of insects with Deep Look As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Hey, friends. I'm Dr. Universe. If you're anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world.    In this episode, we meet Adah Crandall. She's an organizer with the Sunrise Movement. That's a youth-led organization working on solutions for climate change. She started organizing as a middle schooler when she took on the Oregon Department of Transportation. If you want to learn more, check out Sunrise on Instagram or the Green New Deal for Public Schools.  As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Welcome back, friends. I'm Dr. Universe. If you're anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world.    In this episode, we meet Emily Erickson. She's part of the Western Monarch Mystery Challenge team. That's a community science project that asks people to look for monarch butterflies in early spring and send in pictures to help scientists learn more about these important pollinators.If you're interested in helping monarch butterflies near you, check out these nectar plant guides from the Xerces Society. As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Welcome back, young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe.  If you're anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world.  It's not enough to just do science—you've got to get the science out so people can read all about it. That's where science writers come in. In this episode, we meet Sara Zaske, a science writer at Washington State University. She also edits the Ask Dr. Universe column!  As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Welcome back, young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe.  If you're anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world.  What's a postdoctoral fellow? How do rattlesnakes rattle? What's it like searching for snakes in the field or taking blood samples from a grizzly bear? In this episode, we meet Blair Perry, a postdoctoral fellow at Washington State University. He uses the same methods to study the genes of snakes and bears!  As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Welcome back, young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe.  If you're anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world.   Do you love our solar system? Today, 4th graders from Palouse Prairie Charter School take me on a space tour in their Boomcrusher space shuttle. Come along!Ask Dr. Universe is a service of Washington State University geared toward an 8- to 13-year-old audience. If your class or group is interested in working on a podcast episode with Dr. Universe, reach out. It takes about 6 months for young scientists to research and write a script and then work through editing, factchecking, and recording. Sound effects courtesy Zapsplat.com. Thank you to Dr. Michael Allen (WSU Physics & Astronomy) for factchecking and to Northwest Public Broadcasting for recording. As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Welcome back, young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe.  If you're anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world.   How do you become a scientist? What does a scientist's day look like? Is being a scientist fun?  In this episode, we meet Nora Hickey, a fish veterinarian at Washington State University. We learn about fish medicine and why it's important to follow your interests as you grow up. As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu.  Who knows where your questions will take us next. Ask Dr. Universe is a service of Washington State University geared toward an 8- to 13-year-old audience. Check out WSU Veterinary Medicine's Outreach Events—like the Teddy Bear Clinic—to find university experiences like Dr. Hickey had when she was a kid. As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Welcome back, young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe.  If you're anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world. What was early Earth like? How did life start on Earth? And what's up with plate tectonics?In part two of this two-part episode, we meet geologist Johannes Haemmerli of Washington State University. We learn about early Earth, some brand-new research on plate tectonics and the idea that this process helped make Earth habitable.As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu.  Who knows where your questions will take us next.Ask Dr. Universe is a service of Washington State University geared toward an 8- to 13-year-old audience. Listeners working on the Middle School History of Earth Next Generation Science Standards may particularly enjoy this episode: | MS-ESS1-4. | Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence from rock strata for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth's 4.6-billion-year-old history. | MS-ESS2-2. | Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth's surface at varying time and spatial scales. | MS-ESS2-3. | Analyze and interpret data on the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to provide evidence of the past plate motions.  As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

What was early Earth like? How did life start on Earth? And what's up with plate tectonics?In part one of this two-part episode, we meet NASA scientist and Blue Marble Space Institute of Science founder Dr. Sanjoy Som. We learn about early Earth, stromatolites and how we can care for the planet that gave us life.As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu.  Ask Dr. Universe is a service of Washington State University curated for an 8- to 13-year-old audience. Listeners working on the Middle School History of Earth Next Generation Science Standards may particularly enjoy this episode:| MS-ESS1-4. | Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence from rock strata for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth's 4.6-billion-year-old history.| MS-ESS2-2. | Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth's surface at varying time and spatial scales.| MS-ESS2-3. | Analyze and interpret data on the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to provide evidence of the past plate motions.  As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Welcome back, young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe.  If you're anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world.How do you become a scientist? What does a scientist's day look like? Is being a scientist fun?In this episode, we meet Kalli Stephens, a student scientist at Washington State University. We learn about what she does in the lab and how to find your place in science as a young person.  As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu.  Who knows where your questions will take us next! As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

Welcome back, young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe.  If you're anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world. How do you become a scientist? What does a scientist's day look like? Is being a scientist fun?In this episode, we meet Dr. Marcos Frank, a brain scientist at Washington State University. We learn about his path to becoming a scientist and how science works in real life. As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu.  Who knows where your questions will take us next! As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

I'm Dr. Universe, and if you're anything like me, you've got big questions about our world. I get lots of questions from kids wondering about aliens.In this episode, we meet Afshin Khan, an astrobiologist who studied signs of life when she was a Ph.D. student at Washington State University. She shares her adventures to uncover the teeny, tiny life that forms framboidal pyrite on Earth -- and what it would mean if we found those structures outside Earth.As always, submit your burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu.  Who knows where your questions will take us next!Learn more about astrobiology from scientists like Dr. Khan at Blue Marble Space Institute of Science. Thanks to the amazing student actors at Regional Theatre of the Palouse.

Dr. Universe and a group of junior scientists from Palouse Prairie Charter School learn about underwater volcanoes and crystals. Students from the fourth-grade class in Moscow, Idaho help Dr. Universe answer earth science questions. Another big thank you to Northwest Public Broadcasting for help with recording! You can find sources for information about underwater volcanoes and crystals in the transcript.

Dr. Universe is back with a group of junior scientists from Palouse Prairie Charter School to learn about space. Students from the fourth-grade class in Moscow, Idaho help Dr. Universe answer how we know there are planets outside our solar system and what the universe actually is. If you like thinking about multiverses, black holes and the potential for life outside Earth, this is the episode for you!A big thank you to Northwest Public Broadcasting for help with recording!You can find sources for space information in the transcript.

Dr. Universe joins a group of junior scientists from Palouse Prairie Charter School to learn about volcanoes. Students from the fourth-grade class in Moscow, Idaho, help Dr. Universe answer how volcanoes work, how they form, what happens when they erupt, whether volcanoes are on other planets, and a lot of other cool (or hot) information about these amazing mountains. A big thank you to Northwest Public Broadcasting for help with recording!You can find sources for volcano information in the transcript.

Welcome back, young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe and if you're anything like me you've got lots of big questions about our world. This special edition episode features an interview with a scientist from our video series, Ask Dr. Universe, Meet the Scientists. If you like what you hear, you can watch the whole video interview with Dr. Ryan Driskell under the videos tab at askDrUniverse.wsu.edu. Let's get started. 

Welcome back, young scientists. On this episode, we meet Dr. Kim Chiok, a veterinarian at Washington State University who enjoys writing, doing experiments, and who is curious about viruses, especially those that affect the lungs and other parts of the respiratory system. Plus, we explore a question about how our lungs work. The adventures continue at askDrUniverse.wsu.edu.

On this podcast, we'll talk to some curious people, hear their stories, and investigate some fun science questions along the way. Today's guest is someone who is really curious about sleep. Let's give a warm welcome to Ashley Ingiosi. She'll help us explore a science question about why sleep sometimes feels so short. Keep exploring at askDrUniverse.wsu.edu. 

Hello young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe and if you are anything like me, you've got lots of big questions about our world. Today's special guest is someone who is really curious about plants and why they get sick—yes, you heard that right, plants can get sick, too.  We'll also investigate some questions about pumpkins along the way. As always, kids can submit a question for a chance to be featured on a future episode at askDrUniverse.wsu.edu/ask

On this episode, we meet with Julie Menard, a planetary scientist and geoscience education professional from Washington State University. Plus, we investigate a big kid question about how mountains form. Featured Music: "Geology Rocks" by Mikey the Rad Scientist 

Welcome back, young scientists. I'm Dr. Universe and if you're anything like me you've got lots of big questions about our world. On this episode, we'll investigate great questions from young scientists like, Why does ice cream melt? Why are some berries poisonous? And how do we learn things that are really, really hard?   A big thanks to the scientists at Washington State University and our kid narrator from Regional Theatre of the Palouse. Ask a question at askDrUniverse.wsu.edu/ask

Welcome back, young scientists. Have you ever wondered why most people are right-handed? How we learned to weigh a whole planet? How worms help the soil?  Join Dr. Universe and Washington State University researchers as we investigate these great kid questions. Submit a question of your own at askDrUniverse.wsu.edu

Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe and if you’re anything like me you’ve got lots of big questions about our world. On this episode, we investigate questions about toothpaste, sunburns, and Saturn. A big thanks to our kid narrator from Regional Theatre of the Palouse and to the scientists at Washington State University. 

Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe and if you’re anything like me you’ve got lots of big questions about our world. On this episode, we are talking birds, touch screen technology, and goosebumps. A big thanks to our narrator Natalie from Regional Theatre of the Palouse and to WSU researchers Heather Watts, Praveen Sekhar and Ryan Driskell for helping with the science on this episode. Kids can submit a question of their own for a chance to be featured at askDrUniverse.wsu.edu/ask

On this episode, we'll explore questions about flying squirrels, our curious pets, frost, and stinky cheese. A big thanks to our kid narrator from Regional Theater of the Palouse. Thanks to everyone who helped with the science on this episode: Todd Wilson, Dr. Jessica Bell, Kai Carter, and Minto Michael.Submit a science question at askDrUniverse.wsu.edu/ask for a chance to be featured on a future episode.

Welcome back, young scientists. On this episode, our questions take us to outer space the bottom of the pond and into the fascinating world of light and shadows. A big thanks to our kid narrator from Regional Theatre of the Palouse. Thanks to our friends at Washington State University for helping with the science: Vivienne Baldassare, Sukanta Bose, Joan Wu and Anya Rasmussen. And thanks to you for listening. If you enjoy the podcast, leave a review for Dr. Universe on your favorite podcast app.As always, you can submit a question for a chance to be featured on a future podcast at askDrUniverse.wsu.edu/ask.

Hello young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe and if you are anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world. On this episode, we will investigate questions about why mushrooms grow in rings, how to make apple cider, the art of stained glass, why trees have sap, and finally, investigate why the internet goes down. Thanks to our friends Washington State University who helped with the answers: David Wheeler, Bri Valliere, Nadia Valverdi, Dustin Regul, and Dingwen Tao. And a big thanks again to guest narrator Vivian from Regional Theater of the Palouse and Parker for helping read the questions on this episode. As always, thanks to you for listening. You make this podcast possible. Kids can submit a science question of their own for a chance to be featured at askDrUniverse.wsu.edu/ask

Have you ever wondered why apes walk on their knuckles? Why we make tears when we yawn? Why and how exercise helps our bodies? What's the best exercise? How the COVID-19 pandemic started? On this episode, we’ll dig into these great kid science questions with help from researchers at Washington State University. Thanks to Parker for helping read the questions on this episode. If you would like to help read questions on a future episode send an e-mail to Dr.Universe@wsu.edu.Thanks to WSU researchers Nanda Grow, Karin Biggs, Chris Connolly, and Michael Letko for helping with the science.If you'd like to submit a question of your own for a chance to be featured on the podcast visit askDrUniverse.wsu.edu/ask.

Have you ever wondered why ants build hills? Why face masks are effective? Why we sometimes get that pins and needles feeling when we sit too long? How gummies are made? Why spiders hang upside down in their webs? On this episode, we’ll dig into these great kid science questions with help from researchers at Washington State University. Thanks to Asher and Natalie for helping read the questions on this episode. If you would like to help read questions on a future episode send an e-mail to Dr.Universe@wsu.edu. Thanks to WSU researchers Rob Clark, Darrell Jackson, Marian Wilson, Hang Liu, Connie Remsberg, and Todd Murray for helping with the science. If you'd like to submit a question of your own for a chance to be featured on the podcast visit askDrUniverse.wsu.edu/ask.

Hello, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe and if you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world. On this episode, we’ll talk with researchers at Washington State University about how coins are made, robot languages, bee wings, how food gives us energy, if dogs can tell time, and explore a tiny world of microbes. A big thanks to our friends Natalie and Sierra who helped read the questions on this episode. Thank you to Elizabeth Reilly Gurocak, Manoj Karkee, Melanie Kirby, Alice Ma, Lynne Nelson, and Viveka Vadyvaloo for helping with the science. You can learn more the different topics or send in a science question of your own at askDrUniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.