Senator Gaylord Nelson wanted to make a day where people could recognize and care for the environment! The first Earth Day began in 1970 and it grew even more! People plant trees and even have parades to honor the Earth, the blue planet we live on.Here are some things you can do to help the …
Author Archives: Akshay
How a Battery Works Worksheet
Materials: Spectacular Science How a Battery Works Worksheet (Click here!) Directions: Print out the first page. Fill in the blanks. Use the video below.
How Batteries Work
Batteries provide portable, convenient sources of power without wires. It makes many mobile devices possible! The common type of battery is called the dry cell battery. There are three parts of a battery: the anode, the cathode, and the electrolyte. The anode (- side) and cathode (+ side) are two conductive materials. The electrolyte is …
Episode 207: How Your Phone’s Battery Works
Ever wondered what’s going on inside your phone’s battery? How is it able to store charge and get recharged over and over again? And why do these batteries degrade over time? In this episode, I’ll take you behind the science of rechargeable batteries, how they work, and the science behind lithium-ion batteries. Here’s an article! …
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Episode 206: How Microplastics Might Be In Our Water
Microplastics. You’ve probably heard of them because of ocean cleanups and pollution. They are tiny pieces of plastics harmful to many animals. But, it might not just be sea creatures. There might be microplastics in our water supplies. How? In this episode I will take you into the science of microplastics, what they are, and …
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Episode 205: Why We Still Have Tailbones
Even though we don’t have tails, we still have a tailbone? Does the tailbone even do anything? Why do we still have it even though we have clearly branched away from our ape ancestors? In this episode, I will take you behind the science of vestigial traits, why we have them, and why we still …
Vestigial Souvenir Scavenger Hunt!
Materials: Directions: Time to look for evolution souvenirs! These are traits that are left over from previous ancestors due to evolution. They are also known as vestigial features. These vestigial traits are hidden in the human body and even in other animals! Your job is to go on a scavenger hunt and find out these …
DNA – Explained
DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, carries genetic information in our cells. DNA is found in all living things, from plants to humans! DNA gives cells the information to make different proteins, which help the animal survive. The DNA is contained inside of chromosomes, which are like sorting boxes. Inside of the DNA are specific genes that …
DNA Worksheet Activity
Materials: Spectacular Science DNA Worksheet (Click here!) Directions: Print the worksheet out and fill in the blanks. Learn more about the human genome and our similarities between organisms in this video below!
Episode 204: Are We Really 50% Genetically Related to Bananas?
We have all heard that humans share 50% of their genes to bananas. Is this actually true? And what does this have to do with all of the life on Earth, the human genome, and more? In this episode, I will take you into the science of human genetics and explain this wild statement! Here’s …
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Lunar Eclipse March 2025!
At around 2:30 AM on March 14th, 2025, I looked to the sky to see the lunar eclipse, or the Blood Moon! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Spectacular Science (@spectacularscipod) A lunar eclipse is when Earth’s shadow is cast on the Moon. This causes the Moon to appear red because of …
Episode 203: Why The Moon is Slowly Moving Away
Even if you probably did not notice, the Moon is slowly moving away from Earth right now! This movement of the Moon could cause things to change here on Earth as well. Why does this happen? In this episode, I will answer this mind-blowing question and take you into the interesting science of the Moon. …
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How Moons Form
A moon is a natural satellite that orbits around a larger object like a planet. A natural satellite is different from a human made satellite because natural satellites are produced naturally. Moons usually have a stable orbit. This means that the rate of which the moon circles around the planet is just the right speed. …
Asteroid Belt Drawing Activity!
Materials: Directions: What do you think the asteroid belt will look like if you are in a spaceship? Draw a picture of what you think you will see! Make it as realistic as possible! Send me pictures of your drawings by emailing me at
3 Types of Asteroids – Explained
Asteroids are large pieces of rock floating in space. Most of the asteroids found in our Solar System are in the Asteroid Belt. The 3 main types of asteroids are C, S, and M type asteroids. The asteroids are put into these categories based on their composition or what they are made out of. Let’s start off …
Episode 202: Will Asteroid 2024 YR4 Hit Earth?
Asteroid 2024 YR4 has been in the eyes of scientists lately. This asteroid has a slight chance of hitting Earth in 2032. All of these factors are changing daily and the chance that the asteroid will actually hit is changing rapidly, from 3.1% to less than 1%. Will this actually asteroid hit Earth in 2032 …
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AI In The Future! Activity
Materials: Directions: This activity is all about envisioning the future! After doing some research about AI, write or draw what you think AI will be like in the future? Will it help injured people walk again? Will it give you a robot dog? Make sure to include multiple benefits of AI in your drawing/writing. Send …
How Computers Work
Computers are all around us. From our laptops to our everyday smartphones. A computer is an electronic device that reads and processes data. The father of a computer was Charles Babbage. He came up with the idea but never built it. He called it a tabulating engine. It was designed to do arithmetic or math …
Episode 201: How AI is Consuming So Much Water – Explained
Right now, we are in the age of AI or Artificial Intelligence. They are paving the way for new groundbreaking technologies. But, the use of AI actually uses up a lot of water. Why does this happen? What are these environmental impacts of water and AI? In this episode, I will be explaining to you …
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Happy New Year! Welcome to 2025
Happy New Year everyone! Welcome to 2025! Let’s see what’s to come in this new year! If you haven’t already, check out my 2024 recap here!
Recap of 2024!
Let’s review the recap of 2024 for Spectacular Science!
200th Episode of Spectacular Science! – Exercise and the Brain with Dr. Charles Hillman
Welcome to the 200th episode of Spectacular Science! In this special episode, I will be joined by Dr. Charles Hillman! Dr. Hillman studies exercise and its impacts on the body at Northeastern University. This episode is all about exercise, moving your body, and the science behind the benefits of exercise. Simply keeping yourself active has …
Episode 199: What is an Infinity Mirror? Explained!
Infinity mirrors are a fascinating phenomenon that seem to defy the laws of physics! But really, it’s just some amazing science and a very interesting optical illusion. How do infinity mirrors work, and what crazy science goes on behind the scenes? In this episode, I will explain the science of this phenomenon and more! Here’s …
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Discovering Infinity Mirrors
Materials: Directions: Time to investigate infinity mirrors! First, watch the Spectacular Science video about infinity mirrors. (linked below) Now, move on to the activity. Put on mirror parallel to the other and see what happens! Now, put your smartphone on selfie mode and point the screen towards a mirror? In both investigations, you should see …
Episode 198: Why Triangles Are Such a Strong Shape
Triangles are one of the strongest geometric shapes! You can see them everywhere in buildings and architecture such as bridges and the Eiffel Tower. How are triangles so strong and what is the science that goes behind figuring that out? In this episode, I will take you behind the science and the engineering marvels behind …
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Triangle Truss Building Challenge! Activity
Materials: Directions: Use popsicle sticks to build 2 bridges! Use a triangle truss side and supports for one of them and don’t use triangles in the other one. Now, test the strength of the bridges using weights or other heavy objects. Which bridge is stronger? Remember to start small! Send me your observations and results …
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The Science of the Triangle’s Strength
Triangles are one of the strongest geometric shapes. Since triangles are so strong, they are used in bridges, houses, skyscrapers, and more! Triangles have fixed angles, meaning that they are able to resist compression and tension. Compression is a pushing force and tension is a pulling/stretching force. This causes the pressure to be distributed along …
Episode 197: The Truth About Pesticides – With Dr. Changmou Xu
We all eat a lot of fruits and vegetables every day! Some of this fresh produce contains something that has a large impact on humans and ecosystems: pesticides. Produce that contains pesticides may have impacts on the environment, on animals, and even humans who eat it. Why are pesticides used, what are their impacts, and …
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Episode 196: The 3 Types of Heat Transfer – Explained!
Heat moves all around us! In fact, as heat moves, the method of transfer has a lot of science behind it. What are the 3 types of heat transfer, how do they work, and how do they impact the world around us? In this episode, I will explain the 3 types of heat transfer: conduction, …
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Examples of Heat Transfer Worksheet
Materials: Spectacular Science Heat Transfer Examples Worksheet (Click here!) Directions: Print out the worksheet. Then, use the blanks to list out examples of the 3 types of heat transfer!
Episode 195: Titan – Studying Saturn’s Mysterious Moon with Dr. Lauren Schurmeier
Titan, one of Saturn’s many moons, is very mysterious and interesting! It has oceans of liquid methane, an atmosphere, and more. Scientists are still working to find out more about Titan and how this may relate to the quest for life. In this episode, I will be speaking with Dr. Lauren Schurmeier from the University …
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Episode 194: Why Green Means Go – The Science of Traffic Lights
Green is universally seen as the color for “go”, but why? What is the science behind green being such a universal “go” color? Why do traffic lights around the world use green? And why do other colors, such as red and yellow, mean certain things to humans? What’s so special about these colors? In this …
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Observing Colors Around You! Activity
Materials: Directions: While you are in the car, notice the signs and lights around you. Look at brake lights, stop signs, warning signs, traffic lights, and even power poles! What kind of colors do you see? Is there a pattern of what specific colors you see that are associated with different symbols/tasks? Record your results! …
Episode 193: How the James Webb Telescope is Changing Everything
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), launched in 2021, is changing the way astronomers are seeing everything in the universe. James Webb is the largest telescope in space and has discovered many new findings in its almost 3 years in orbit. How does the James Webb Telescope work and how is it changing the way …
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Episode 192: How Birds and Dinosaurs Are Related!
Modern-day chickens are actually distantly related to the t-rex, a ferocious dinosaur that lived millions of years ago! In fact, modern-day birds are related to ancient dinosaurs! They look different, but really they are related. How is this possible? In this episode, I take you into the science of dinosaurs, birds, evolution, and how they …
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Animal Family Trees! Activity
Materials: Directions: Modern-day animals all evolved from common ancient ancestors! Your job is to map out an animal’s family tree! Choose any animal you want to do a family tree for. Then, with an adult, research facts about the animal’s ancestors and origins online. Then, make your family tree on paper. Make it colorful as …
How Earth Supports Diverse Life
There are a few reasons why Earth is the only planet in the Solar System to support life. One is that Earth is located in the “Goldilocks Zone” from the Sun. The “Goldilocks Zone” is a specific distance from the Sun where it is not too hot or not too cold. It is just right! Earth is …
Episode 191: Origins of Life – How Miller-Urey Experiment Changed Everything
Life has always been a mystery. The building blocks, origins, and more are some of the biggest questions in science! The Miller-Urey experiment, conducted in 1952-53, changed our understanding of how life came about and got us one step closer to finding the true answer! What was the Miller-Urey experiment and what the scientists find? …
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Miller-Urey Experiment Diagram Worksheet!
Materials: Spectacular Science Miller-Urey Experiment Diagram Worksheet (Click here!) Directions: Fill in the blanks on the diagram of the experiment located on your worksheet. Use the Spectacular Science video for information.
What Cells Are – Explained
Cells are the makeup of every living thing! There are two types of cells: plant and animal cells. We are going to talk about Cells in general. Cells make energy by getting Carbon in the form of sugar. Depending on the organism, it make its own food or eat food to survive. Cells also make …
Episode 190: The Big Space Junk Problem
Even though you can’t see it, space junk orbiting around the Earth is a very big problem. But what exactly is it, how much of it is circling the Earth, and what are scientists doing to tackle this problem? In this episode, I will take you into the science of space debris and uncover what …
The Solution to Space Junk! Activity
Materials: Direction: Watch the Spectacular Science episode and take notes if needed. Then, brainstorm your own solution for cleaning up space junk! Take inspiration from what scientists are currently doing and use it in your own design. Remember to take into consideration the challenges your product might face in space! Send me some of your …
What Is Low Earth Orbit?
Low Earth orbit is a region of space where many satellites are located. Low Earth orbit is closer to Earth than a traditional orbit. It is the most popular orbit for satellites because it’s close enough to Earth for convenient transportation, communication, observation, and resupply. Satellites typically orbit at an altitude of about 1,200 miles …
Calories Scavenger Hunt!
Materials: Directions: Time to go on a scavenger hunt! Gather up packaged foods in your house and look at the nutrition facts. Note down calories and other important information. Compare the information. Do you see any patterns? Send me your findings at spectacularsci.com/contact!
What is Cellular Respiration Process?
Cellular respiration is the set of chemical reactions that break down glucose from our food into ATP or adenosine triphosphate. The ATP is energy for the body. Cellular respiration requires Oxygen and glucose to start the cycle. Cellular respiration takes place in the mitochondria or “powerhouse” of the cells. They take in the Oxygen and …
Episode 189: What Does a Calorie Really Mean?
Calories are listed everywhere. On food packages, nutrition plans, and more! What is a calorie exactly and what does it really mean for our body? Why is consuming a certain amount of calories important? What role does it play in our everyday lives? In this episode, I will take you into the science of energy, …
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Episode 188: The Cool Science of Glaciers! With Neosha Narayanan
Glaciers! These giant “rivers of ice” are mind-blowing and fascinating to learn about. How are glaciers changing on Earth and how is that tied to climate change? In this episode, I will be speaking with Neosha Narayanan. Neosha studies glaciers and ice sheets at Georgia Tech and is a glaciology PhD student. In this episode, …
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What is ATP?
ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is a molecule that stores and transfers energy inside of cells. ATP is broken down and through that process, energy is given to the cells. ATP is produced through cellular respiration. Cellular respiration requires Oxygen and glucose to start the cycle. Cellular respiration takes place in the mitochondria or “powerhouse” of …
Cellular Respiration Worksheet Activity!
Materials: Spectacular Science Cellular Respiration Worksheet (Click here!) Directions: Print the worksheet out and fill in the blanks on the sheet.
Episode 187: Mitochondria – It’s Not What You Think!
Mitochondria! Also known as the “powerhouse of the cell”. It is the energy-producing organelle inside cells. How did this important part of cells originate? It’s not what you think! In this episode, I will take you into the science of cells, organelles, mitochondria, and break down the endosymbiotic theory. We will go back millions of …
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Happy International Podcast Day! 2024
Happy International Podcast Day! On September 30th, we recognize podcasts and podcasters of their work and spreading their stories with the world. As a science podcaster and creator myself, I love sharing my love of science with everyone in the world! I started this podcast in 2020 to share my scientific enthusiasm and I am …
Episode 186: Viewing the Surface of the North Star! With Dr. Gail Schaefer
The North Star, also known as Polaris, has been a huge part of human culture, navigation, and a signature part of the sky. It’s so special because it is aligned with Earth’s axis, meaning that it will always point north! But, recently, scientists have imaged the surface of Polaris, revealing many interesting things about this …
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Episode 185: The Perseids Meteor Shower 2024 – How To Watch and More!
The Perseid Meteor Shower is a spectacular celestial event peaking August 11th-12th, 2024! Meteor showers, or shooting stars are events that happen when very special conditions are met. How do meteor showers happen? And, how can you watch the Perseids peaking in August 2024? In this episode, I will cover the science of the Perseids, …
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Shooting Stars in a Jar! Activity
Materials: Directions: Pour water about 3/4 of the way into the large jar. Then, pour cooking oil into the small jar and fill it up. Then, squeeze drops of different color food coloring inside of the oil. Now, close the small jar with the lid and shake it to mix everything! Make sure to have …
The Science of Comets!
Comets are giant balls of rocks and ice that orbit a star. They are made up of 3 main parts: the nucleus, the coma, and the tail. The nucleus of a comet is made up of ice, gas, dust, and rocks. It is found right at the head of a comet. The nucleus of a …
Episode 184: What Caused The Hydrothermal Explosion at Yellowstone?
On July 23rd, a large explosion rocked Biscuit Basin at Yellowstone National Park. This explosion was said to be caused by hydrothermal activity under the park. What exactly caused this explosion and why is it important to study events like this? What’s the science going on underground at Yellowstone? In this episode, I will take …
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Hydrothermal Systems Worksheet! Activity
Materials: Spectacular Science Hydrothermal Systems Worksheet (Click here!) Directions: Print out the first page. Fill in the blanks.
What is a Hydrothermal System?
Hydrothermal, broken down means water (hydro) and heat (thermal). That is exactly what it is! Hydrothermal systems are the movement of water underground and above ground due to heat. Hydrothermal systems consist of a heat source, reservoir, recharge region, and connecting pathways that allow water to move underground. The water can be heated by magma, …
Make a Barometer! Activity
Materials: Watch the portion of the video below to do the activity! Directions: Cut the neck of the balloon off. Then, wrap it on the opening of the jar. Use a rubber band to secure it. Then, tape the straw on top of the balloon. Prop up a piece of cardstock or steady paper. Mark …
What is Air Pressure?
Right now, as you are reading this, there are tons of air pushing down on you. That is air pressure. As you might know, the Earth is covered with a blanket of gases. That is called the atmosphere. The air from the atmosphere takes up space, so it has mass (weight). The more atmosphere above …
Episode 183: How Heavy is the Air?
You’re surrounded by air everywhere! But, how much does the air weigh? How much does the entire atmosphere weight? Why don’t we get crushed into pancakes because of the weight of the air above us? Find out more about air pressure, how it works, and revealing how much air actually weighs in this episode. Here’s …
Episode 182: How Do Space Telescopes Work? 2nd Anniversary of James Webb Telescope
Space telescopes change the way we see the universe. July 12th, 2024 celebrates the second anniversary of the James Webb Telescope! Space telescopes are very interesting and the images they provide are even more mind-blowing. But, how do space telescopes work and how are they able to see galaxies that are so far away? In …
Telescopes Worksheet! Activity
Materials: Spectacular Science Telescopes Worksheet (Click here!) Directions: Print out the first page. Fill in the blanks.
How Telescopes Work!
Telescopes are devices that let people see things that are far away. People at sea also use telescopes. Telescopes are most commonly used to look at space. The inventor of the telescopes was Galileo Galilei. He invented the telescope with eyeglass parts. Telescopes work using light. Light is everywhere! The telescope has two mirrors. They …
2nd Anniversary of the James Webb Space Telescope!
Today, July 12th, 2024 marks the 2nd anniversary of the James Webb Space Telescope. 2 years ago today, James Webb released its first image of deep space. James Webb released the “Penguin and Egg” galaxies today as part of the 2nd anniversary special. James Webb Telescope was launched on December 25th, 2021. It was developed …
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Episode 181: The Science of Soft Matter! Squishy Physics With Dr. Eric Weeks
From shaving cream, to mayonnaise, to maple syrup, to our skin! Soft matter is all around us. In fact, scientists study soft matter and “squishy physics”! Why do they study this? Why is it important? And, why does soft matter, like syrup, act so differently? In this episode, I will be speaking with Dr. Eric …
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How Do Fireworks Work? July 4th Special!
Happy 4th of July and happy Independence Day for those living in the United States! This holiday is celebrated with lots of parades, barbecues, and fireworks! Aerial fireworks are the fireworks that you see launched into the sky! They are usually fired using rockets and mortars. These fireworks create a dazzling light show above us! …
Episode 180: How Do Ocean Currents Work?
You may not realize it, but ocean currents impact your everyday life! From food, to shipping, to the weather, ocean currents play a large role in your life. How do ocean currents and the global conveyor belt work? What causes ocean currents? What’s the science behind it? In this episode, I will take you underwater …
Hot and Cold Water Density Ocean Currents! Experiment
Watch this portion of my video below to check out this fun science experiment! Materials: Directions: Fill up one of the bottles with cold water and dye it blue. You can also use any color you want. Fill up the other bottle with hot water and dye it yellow. You can also use any color …
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The Global Conveyor Belt!
The Global Conveyor Belt is a series of ocean currents that move water around the world! Currents are rivers of moving water that are caused by differences in density. Density is how close molecules are packed together in an object. The density of water is impacted by salinity (how much salt there is) and temperature. …
Episode 179: The Science Behind the Perfect Sandcastle! With Mr. David Meer
Science truly is all around you, and there’s no better example of that than granular physics! It’s the summertime and people are heading out to the beaches, relaxing, and building sandcastles! You’ve probably noticed that granular materials such as sand and even mixed nuts act in very strange ways! Why? And what’s the perfect way …
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Summer Solstice 2024!
The summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere is today, June 20th! What exactly is the summer solstice? The summer solstice is the longest day of the year. It marks the first day of astronomical summer. Even though it might be hot (especially with the recent heat waves) in your area, summer only officially starts today. …
Episode 178: How Did The Moon Form? The Story of Earth’s Moon
Earth’s moon is the spotlight of the night sky. It’s been Earth’s best friend for over 4 billion years. How did the Moon form in the first place? What theories do scientists have about the Moon and how it formed? In this episode, I will take you into the story of how the Moon formed, …
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How Did The Moon Form? Activity
Materials: Directions: It’s time for you to be a scientist! Scientists come up with theories to prove something. The Moon formation is a great example of this. Scientists use computer, or hands on simulations to explain these phenomena. Your job is to make your own simulation using play-doh or modeling clay to explain how the …
How Moons Form!
A moon is a natural satellite that orbits around a larger object like a planet. A natural satellite is different from a human made satellite because natural satellites are produced naturally. Moons usually have a stable orbit. This means that the rate of which the moon circles around the planet is just the right speed. …
Episode 177: What’s So Special About Europa? Searching for Life on Jupiter’s Moon
Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons has been getting a lot of attention. In fact, NASA is sending a mission to Europa, known as the Europa Clipper in late 2024 to find out more about this special moon! Why do scientists want to investigate Europa and what does this have to do with searching for life …
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Draw The Surface of Europa! Activity
Materials: Directions: Scientists and researchers rely on artists to develop 3D models or artist renderings of designs, spacecraft, and even planets/moons! Your job is to use the information you know about Europa (research more if you want to!) and draw your own artists rendering of the surface of Europa. Remember, it has to look realistic …
All About Europa!
Europa is one of Jupiter’s moons. It takes 85 hours to orbit Jupiter. Europa is mostly made of rocks and ice. The part that really got scientists interested is water! This water bursts out of the surface of the moon like jets of water. These eruptions release water. Scientists think that Europa may have liquid …
Why Do Pennies Turn Green?
You’ve probably noticed that some of the old pennies sitting in your piggy-bank are covered in dirt and this mysterious blue-green substance. That is copper oxide! Copper naturally turns green over time as it reacts with oxygen in the air. This chemical reaction is known as oxidation. The oxygen and some water in the atmosphere …
Hearing Sounds Underwater! Activity
Materials: Directions: Take the plastic water bottle and cut the bottom off. There should be only the neck of the bottle and a large opening on the bottom after cutting. Then, submerge the small opening (the part you drink out of) in the bowl of water. Hold it to your ear. Then, have a helper …
How We Hear Sounds!
Sound waves are what sound travels in! They are little vibrations of air that travel through a medium or a material that it is travelling through. Sound waves are why you can hear a jackhammer or my podcast! First, an object or person has to make a sound. A sound is made by an object vibrating back …
Episode 176: How Does Sound Travel Underwater? The Science of Sound
Sound! It is all around us. We all know how sounds travel in air, but what about water? You’ve probably noticed sounds underwater when swimming at the pool or at the beach. Things sound louder and more defined, and it is very interesting to experience. Does sound travel differently through water? What is the science …
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Mixing Colored Lights Activity!
Materials: Directions: In this activity, you will learn about RGB lighting and how these colors mix together. Turn on the colored lights and shine them in separate spots on the wall. Next, try bringing two lights close to one another until they start to overlap on the wall. Do you notice a color change? Try …
What is Light?
Light is a type of energy that is made up of tiny particles called photons. These photons can zip around the universe at very high speeds! The speed of light is the ultimate universe speed limit, up to 180,000 miles per second! The regular light you see is actually made up of different colors of …
Episode 175: Why Are Warning Lights Red? The Science of the Color Red
The color red is everywhere! But, have you noticed that most warning lights are red? Fire truck sirens, airplanes, brake lights, traffic lights, and even on top of skyscrapers! Why is the color red used in warning lights and what is the science behind it? In this episode, I will take you behind the science …
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Episode 174: Why Does The Moon Have So Many Craters?
One of the most identifiable features of the Moon are its millions of craters, formed by collisions in space. Why does the Moon have so many craters though? Is there a reason why? In this episode, I blast off to explore the science of the Moon, craters, and answering the question of why it has …
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Make Your Own Craters! Activity
Materials: Directions: Make and observe your own impact craters! Pour the flour, cocoa powder, or sand in multiple layers in the baking pan. Make sure they are layered property. Next, throw the ball or rock at the “surface” of your planet or moon. Observe the layers of the impact crater. Also, try throwing the ball …
How Do Moons Form?
A moon is a natural satellite that orbits around a larger object like a planet. A natural satellite is different from a human made satellite because natural satellites are produced naturally. Moons usually have a stable orbit. This means that the rate of which the moon circles around the planet is just the right speed. …
Episode 173: The Northern Lights in the South! What Happened Last Week?
Last Friday, May 10th, people from around the US, Canada, and Europe looked to the skies to see something amazing. The Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, was putting on a show. It wasn’t just another aurora, but this one was visible in places such as Georgia, Florida, and New York! How did …
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Auroras – Labelling Worksheet Activity
Materials: Spectacular Science Life Cycle of a Star Worksheet (Click here!) Directions: Print out the first page. Label the diagram of aurora formation on the worksheet. Use the following words: North Magnetic Pole, South Magnetic Pole, Charged Particles, and Atmosphere. Then use the answer key to check your answers. Use the video below to help you.
How Auroras Happen!
Auroras are lights that are only found at the North Pole and the South Pole. They light up the night skies with red, blue, and pink colors! These are known as “The Greatest Light Show on Earth!”. Auroras happen because of solar winds. The Sun releases highly charged particles called electrons in a process called coronal-mass …
Northern Lights Visible in U.S. Last Weekend! May 2024
Last weekend, the aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights were visible over the US, Canada, and down south in places such as Georgia and Florida. Auroras are lights that are only found at the North Pole and the South Pole. They light up the night skies with red, blue, and pink colors! These …
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Episode 172: Could Jupiter Become a Star?
Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. 1,300 Earths would fit in Jupiter! Since Jupiter is such a large planet, could it become a star like the Sun? In this episode, I explore the science of stars, Jupiter, and reveal if Jupiter ever was or could become a star. Here’s an article! It …
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Life Cycle of a Star Worksheet
Materials: Spectacular Science Life Cycle of a Star Worksheet (Click here!) Directions: Print the worksheet out and draw pictures representing the life cycle of a star. To learn more about stars and if Jupiter could turn into one, watch the Spectacular Science video below!
All About Jupiter!
Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun. Jupiter is about 483.8 million miles away from the Sun. It is a gas giant which means it is mostly made out of gases like hydrogen and methane. Jupiter is the biggest planet in the Solar System! The surface of Jupiter is 23.71 billion sq. miles. If …
Longer Days In Summer: Explained!
Why are days longer in the summer? Right now, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, it may seem like the spring and summer days are dragging on with more daylight. Days are longer during the summer and shorter during the winter because of the Earth’s tilt. Earth is slightly tilted toward the Sun. As the Earth …
Episode 171: Why Are Fruits Different Colors?
Fruits and vegetables are some of the most colorful things on Earth! From the bright red apples, to pink watermelon, to yellow bananas, colors are everywhere in nature. Is there a reason to why fruits are so colorful? Did this evolve over time? In this episode, I will take you into the science of fruits, …
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Fruit Color Scavenger Hunt! Activity
Materials: Directions: Watch the Spectacular Science video. Now, go on a scavenger hunt and look for fruits that are different colors. Note down the size, shape, color, and name of the fruit. Now, use your thinking skills to determine if there is a specific reason that fruit is that color? An example is red berries. …
Why Fruits Have Peels and Shells!
Fruits are pieces of plants that have sugar inside of them. They don’t always have to be sweet to be a fruit! Fruits have either of these two things: seeds or come from flowering plants. The entire purpose of fruits is to help the plant reproduce. The seeds help the plants make more plants. If …
What Gets Hotter First? Color Experiment!
I demonstrated the concept of darker colors absorb more heat than lighter colors by doing a demo on the video! Check it out below. Want to do it at home? Here are some directions. Materials: Directions: Lay out both sheets of paper outside on the concrete or grass on a sunny day. If you have …
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Colors and Heat Absorption Science!
Why do darker colors absorb more heat than lighter colors? This is because of the visible light spectrum. Regular white light is made of different wavelengths: red, orange, green, yellow, indigo, and violet. A darker colored object absorbs a lot wavelengths of light and converts them into heat, so the object gets warm. An example …
Episode 170: Why Does Color Black Absorb Heat? The Hidden Science Behind Color and Heat
You’ve probably noticed that darker colors absorb more heat than lighter colors. Have you ever thought of why and how this happens? In this episode, I take you into the hidden science of color, heat, and how this interesting phenomenon happens! Here’s an article! It is called “Colors and Heat Absorption Science!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/04/colors-and-heat-absorption-science/) Here’s an …
Happy Earth Day! 2024
Senator Gaylord Nelson wanted to make a day where people could recognize and care for the environment! The first Earth Day began in 1970 and it grew even more! People plant trees and even have parades to honor the Earth, the blue orb we live on.Here are some things you can do to help the …
Episode 169: What is Cell Therapy Manufacturing? Explained – With Mr. Keshav Shah
Did you know scientists can manufacture cells for cell therapy? Cell therapy manufacturing is making cells in a lab and using it in humans to heal certain injuries. How does this process work and what is so special about it? In this episode, I will be speaking with Mr. Keshav Shah, a PhD student at …
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Total Solar Eclipse Earlier Today!
Earlier today, a total solar eclipse crossed over Mexico, the United States, and parts of Canada in a spectacular show. I was able to see the partial eclipse from where I was and over 80% coverage of the Sun! Even though it wasn’t the total eclipse, I could still see it getting dimmer and hearing …
At-Home Solar Eclipse! Activity
Materials: Check out the video below to start the activity! Directions: Watch the Spectacular Science video (above) explaining how solar eclipses happen. Now, time to make your own, at home! You will need a few helpers for this. First, take the flashlight and point it at the smaller ball (Moon). Then, put the bigger ball …
April 2024 Total Solar Eclipse!
A solar eclipse will be visible over parts of North and South America on, Monday, April 8th, 2024! This will be a total solar eclipse in the path of totality of the U.S. Learn more by visiting NASA’s eclipse website: science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024 If you want to watch an eclipse, make sure to use appropriate eye protection (linked to NASA Safety …
Episode 168: All About the Total Solar Eclipse – How To Watch and More!
On April 8th, 2024 (tomorrow!), a total solar eclipse will be visible over North America and parts of the United States. But, what is the science of solar eclipses, how do they happen, and how can people view them safely? In this special episode, I will be exploring the science of solar eclipses and how …
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Episode 167: Flying High Airplane Science! With Mr. Jonel Murray from Delta
Ever wondered how airplanes soar in the skies? What science goes into building and most importantly, maintaining aircraft? In this episode, I will be speaking with Mr. Jonel Murray, an aircraft mechanic and A220 Instructor/Developer from Delta Air Lines. Mr. Murray knows a lot about how airplanes work, how they are maintained, and how teamwork …
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Episode 166: Sugarcane Waste to Sugarcrete! With Ms. Oluchukwu Okonkwo
Over 2 billion tons of sugarcane is produced around the world. When it is processed, waste is generated. This waste sits there or gets burned, polluting the environment. But, scientists at University of East London have figured out a way to turn the waste into Sugarcrete, construction materials made of sugarcane. In this episode, I …
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Atlanta Science Festival 2024!
The Atlanta Science Festival is happening soon! I am an ambassador for the festival and if you live in or around Atlanta, this is a great place to learn about science and technology around you! There are 100+ events in the metro Atlanta area.
Episode 165: The Science of Color! How We See It
Colors are all around you. Without the colors that we see, life would be very different. How do humans see colors and what goes on in our brain to give us these colors? In this episode, I take you behind science of light and color, and explore the fascinating world of color perception. Plus, I …
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Separate Marker Colors Activity!
Materials: Use the Spectacular Science video below about color and the experiment bit for directions! Just click play and it will automatically start at the experiment bit of the epispde!
The Visible Light Spectrum!
The Visible Light Spectrum is all of the colors in white light! White light from the Sun and the lights in your house has all of the colors of the Rainbow! The Visible Light Spectrum contains the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. The Visible Light Spectrum is not a thing you …
Episode 164: How Do Things Burn? The Science of Fire
When a match, candle, or even campfire burns, what happens to it? Fire is dangerous, but when regulated, is very important to humans! We use it to cook our food, keep us warm, or give us light. In this episode, I will answer the question, what happens when something burns, and go into the science …
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Draw a Fire Triangle! Activity
Materials: Directions: In the Spectacular Science video, you will see a picture of a fire triangle, a diagram that represents the things needed for fire to burn! Your job is to create your own fire triangle drawing! Use the episode for information and be sure to add extra information to it as well! I would …
What Is The Fire Triangle?
The Fire Triangle is a visual that represents what a fire needs to burn. Things like stoves, campfires, and ovens use the Fire Triangle to make food or keep warm. We are going to talk about each side of the Fire Triangle. If one of the items on the Fire Triangle is taken away, the …
Episode 163: How Does Soap Work?
You’ve probably used soap many times! It is very useful to keep your hands clean and free of germs. How does soap clean things and how does it work? In this episode, I take into the science and explore the amazing chemistry of soap. Here is an article! It is called “Why Does Soap Make …
Soap Molecule Drawing! Activity
Materials: Some soap molecules, the things that make up soap, asked Akshay to paint a picture of them. Akshay needs your help!! Try to draw a picture of what you think the soap molecules look like! Use the episode and the article to help you with your drawing. Remember, soap molecules have a hydrophilic (water …
Why Does Soap Make Our Skin Dry?
Soap makes our skin feel dry and itchy because it cleans the natural oils that are produced by our skin. How does soap clean the natural oils? There are tiny pin-shaped molecules in soap. Those pin-shaped molecules have two parts to them: the hydrophilic head and the hydrophobic tail. Hydrophilic means that it bonds or mixes …
Episode 162: What Is Absolute Zero?
Absolute zero! You may or may not have heard about it, but it is a very interesting phenomena that has to do with the coldest temperature ever possible! What is absolute zero, and what happens when we reach that temperature? Weird and interesting things can happen, so make sure to join me as I take …
Absolute Zero Diagram! Activity
Materials: Directions: Time to make a diagram of what atoms look like at absolute zero! Use the art supplies and the Spectacular Science video below to illustrate how atoms react at such cold theoretical temperatures.
Absolute Zero Science!
Absolute zero is the lowest temperature theoretically possible. Absolute zero is 0 on the Kelvin scale, equivalent to –273.15°C or –459.67°F. At this temperatures, scientists predict that very weird things will happen. Since heat is caused by the movement of atoms, the extremely cold temperatures mean that all the atoms are at a complete standstill. …
Episode 161: Why Do We Forget?
You probably forget things a lot! Car keys, lunch, or even your homework. But forgetting is more than that! Sometimes you can forget entire memories or experiences from a long time ago. Why does that happen? In this episode, Akshay takes you into the science of memories, how they’re formed, and why we forget them. …
Memory Mind Map! Activity
Materials: Directions: Try to remember one of your memories. Once you have recalled the memory, use the art supplies to draw that memory out! Include pictures, words, and maybe even quotes! Try to describe the memory using art! Then, take a look at the finished product! You actually used a LOT of parts of your brain …
What Are Memories?
Memories are a collection of neurons (brain cells) that store information about something that happened in the past. Memories can be remembering how to tie your shoes to a person’s name! Memories are made when a group of neurons come together and store sensory information. Sensory information is sight, sounds, smells, tastes, and things that …
Episode 160: Why Do We Get Goosebumps?
Whether you’re scared or cold, you get goosebumps. Why do we get goosebumps and what is the science behind them? Were they actually useful to our ancestors thousands of years ago? In this episode, I will uncover the science of goosebumps and why they happen! Here is an article! It is called “What Are Vestigial Features?” …
Evolution Souvenir Scavenger Hunt! Activity
Materials: Directions: Time to look for evolution souvenirs! These are traits that are left over from previous ancestors due to evolution. They are also known as vestigial features. These vestigial traits are hidden in the human body and even in other animals! Your job is to go on a scavenger hunt and find out these …
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What Are Vestigial Features?
Vestigial features are traits and characteristics leftover from evolution that are not useful for survival. Vestigial features are usually not important for the survival of the present-day animal, but may have been important for the ancestors of the animal. These features are left over due to evolution and will still be found in present day organisms. Over …
Episode 159: What Are Gravitational Waves? With Dr. Zoheyr Doctor
What are gravitational waves? It is hard to wrap your head around something that bends the fabric of space-time itself! How are gravitational waves formed and how are they detected? In this episode, I will be speaking with Dr. Zoheyr Doctor to break down this amazing space science for us. Dr. Doctor is an astrophysicist …
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Episode 158: Is It Really a New Year? According to Science
Happy new year! It’s 2024 now, but is it really? Is January 1st really the start of a the new and the start of a new circle of orbit for the Earth? In this episode, I take you behind the science of the new year, Earth’s orbit, and revealing what science says about the new …
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Earth Orbit Model! Activity
Materials: Directions: Start of the new year with this activity! Make a model of Earth’s orbit around the Sun with your materials. You can even use the styrofoam balls for extra decoration! Use the Spectacular Science video below for more information!
Happy New Year! Welcome to 2024
Happy New Year everyone! Welcome to 2024! Let’s see what’s to come in this new year! If you haven’t already, check out my 2023 recap here!
Recap of 2023!
Let’s review the recap of 2023 for Spectacular Science! In 2023, I published 35+ episodes! In July, I released the Spectacular Science Fun Fact Generator, a site that randomly
Episode 157: Why Are Earthquakes So Hard To Predict? With Dr. Ramon Arrowsmith
Earthquakes are groundbreaking natural phenomena. What are earthquakes, how do they form, and why are they so hard to predict? In this episode, I will be talking to Dr. Ramon Arrowsmith to learn more about earthquakes and answer these questions. Dr. Arrowsmith studies earthquakes and fault lines at Arizona State University. Do you have science …
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Will It Snow? Activity
Materials: Note: This activity is best if you live in an area where it sometimes snows. If you do not, use another location as your weather data source. Directions: Time to be a meteorologist and attempt to predict the weather! Have an adult help you get weather reports for your location. Then, examine the reports …
The Science of Snow!
The white, powdery precipitation called snow is a winter’s delight! It falls from the sky as snowflakes. One condition is the temperature. It has to be below freezing or below 32°F or 0°C. This freezing temperature makes the water in the atmosphere freeze and turn into snowflakes! Even if the temperature is cold, it may …
Episode 156: It’s Cold! Why Didn’t It Snow?
The holiday season and winter time in North America is usually associated with snow! The white, powdery frozen ice that falls from the sky! Kids, including me, love to have fun in the snow! Even though it is very cold, it is still not snowing yet! Why? In this episode, I take you behind the …
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Episode 155: How Can We Build Wildfire Resilient Houses? With Dr. Michele Barbato
Wildfires are very destructive events that can wipe out homes and communities. How can we build houses that are able to withstand nature’s fiery forces? The answer lies beneath our feet! In this episode, I speak with Dr. Michele Barbato to take a closer look at the fire-resilient materials he is working on at University …
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Episode 154: What If Volcanoes Didn’t Exist? With Dr. Amanda Clarke
Volcanoes! Lava, rocks, ash, and dust! Volcanoes are some of the most mind-blowing natural phenomena in the world, and are destructive forces that shape our planet. But, what if volcanoes didn’t exist? How would our lives be like on Earth without volcanoes? In this episode, I will answer this question with the help of Dr. …
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Tsunami Poster!
Materials: Directions: Make a poster educating people about tsunamis and how they are formed. Make your poster colorful and appealing! Some of my favorite posters might be featured on this website! Have an adult help you to send me pictures of your poster by emailing me at Use the Spectacular Science episode to help you!
What Causes Tsunamis?
Tsunami (pronounced tsoo-nah-mee) is a combination of the Japanese words tsu, meaning harbor, and nami, meaning wave. Tsunamis are powerful waves that are caused by underwater volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and even rare meteors. Tsunamis form when the underwater eruptions or earthquakes release a large amount of energy. Just like a rock makes ripples in a …
Episode 153: Could You Outrun a Tsunami?
Could you outrun a giant tsunami wave? Could the fastest person outrun it? In this episode, I am taking you into the science of tsunamis, exploring how tsunamis form, and unveiling whether or not a human or even a cheetah could outrun these giant tsunami waves! Here is an article! It is called “What Causes …
Diagram the Water Cycle!
Materials: Directions: Time to make a diagram of the water cycle. Use art supplies, paper, and your creative mind to make a diagram! Use the Spectacular Science video below for more information!
Why Do We Need Water?
Water is a substance that is found everywhere on Earth! It can be a solid, liquid, or gas. It is necessary for life on Earth. It’s chemical compound is H2O. That means two Hydrogen (H2) atoms and one Oxygen (O₂) atom. This bond is called a Water Molecule. Because of water pollution, the freshwater in the world …
Episode 152: Your Water Is Billions of Years Old!?
How old is the water you drink? Believe it or not, the water in the oceans, rivers, and inside the human body are billions of years old! It’s even older than dinosaurs! How? In this episode, I will take you behind the science of water, the water cycle, and how water is so old! Here …
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Be a Botanist Activity!
Materials: Directions: Time to be a botanist, or a scientists who studies plants. Use your observing eyes to notice features about plants. Are they lacking an important resource? Are the doing well? Sketch pictures of the plants and write down observations. Share your observations with your friends and family! Good job! You’re a botanist. Use …
Episode 151: Do Plants Get Stressed?
Do plants get stressed like humans? Although plants might not have a hundred homework assignments, they still might get stressed by other things around them! In this episode, I will answer the burning question: do plants get stressed and do some more digging on how this happens! Plus, Akshay has a special guest on the …
Why There Are Seasons Worksheet!
Materials: Spectacular Science Why There Are Seasons Worksheet (Click here!) Directions: Print the worksheet out (only page 1) and fill in the blanks. Check your answers with the answer key on the next page. Use the video about why days get shorter in the winter (located below) to help fill in the answers easier.
Episode 150: Why Do Days Get Shorter in the Winter?
You might notice that as the winter season approaches, it seems like the days get shorter and its night time for longer. Why does that happen? In this episode, I take you into the science of why days get shorter and longer as seasons change. Here is an article! It is called “How Does Earth’s …
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Mummify an Apple!
Materials: Safety note: This activity uses sharp cutting tools. Need adult supervision. DO NOT EAT anything in this activity. Directions: Have an adult help make holes in the apple. Make sure they are deep enough so that the moisture can escape. You can even carve your apple to have a face! Then, mix 1/2 cup …
How Plant Fossils Are Formed
Plant fossils are imprints of plants that lived millions of years ago. Specific conditions have to be met for the plants to turn into fossils. One is that they have to die near a lake bed, tar, or clay. These specific materials will help preserve the plant during the fossilization process. Once the plants die …
Episode 149: Halloween Special! – “Mummified” Plants!? All About Plant Fossils
Mummified plants? Sounds crazy and spooky, right? In this Halloween special episode, I take you behind the science of plant mummys, also known as plant fossils. We will learn how plant fossils are formed, how they are preserved, and what scientists do with them now. Here is an article! It is called “How Plant Fossils …
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Episode 148: What if Black Holes Didn’t Exist? With Dr. Christopher Carroll
Black holes! They’re mysterious objects in space. When things go in them, they never come back. In this episode, with the help of Dr. Christopher Carroll, I am answering a burning questions about black holes: what if they didn’t even exist? Dr. Carroll studies black holes at Washington State University and knows a lot about …
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Episode 147: All About Gorillas! With Ms. Rhiannon Schultz
Gorillas! They’re amazing animals! This episode features amazing questions sent in by a few of my listeners! We will all learn more about gorillas with the help of Ms. Rhiannon Schultz. Ms. Schultz is a gorilla researcher at the University of Georgia and knows a lot about the kings of jungles. Learn more about Ms. …
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Ring of Fire Solar Eclipse! 2023
The “ring of fire” annular solar eclipse was earlier today! Check out yesterday’s post for more information. I watched the eclipse from where I live (with solar viewing glasses, of course). I couldn’t see the entire eclipse since I wasn’t in the path of it. It was truly a spectacular event! My question about solar …
Ring of Fire Solar Eclipse Tomorrow!
A solar eclipse will be visible over parts of North and South America tomorrow, Saturday October 14th! This will be a partial solar eclipse in many areas of the U.S. Learn more by visiting NASA’s eclipse website: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2023/ If you want to watch an eclipse, make sure to use appropriate eye protection (linked to NASA …
Episode 146: Where Does Maple Syrup Come From?
From trees to your pancakes! Where does maple syrup come from and why is it so sweet? In this episode, Akshay takes you into the delicious science of maple syrup, where it comes from, and why it is so deliciously sweet! Here is an article! It is called “What are the Layers of a Tree’s …
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Find a Maple Tree Activity!
Materials: Directions: Time to hunt for maple trees! Be like a scientists a use clues to find maple trees. Scientists in the field use reference pictures. See some of the reference pictures below. Look for the pattern of the leaves to identify a maple. This is a fun scavenger hunt-like activity! Have fun!
Episode 145: Why Do Birds Fly in a V Shape?
Look up! It’s a flock of birds! Chances are that you’ve seen a flock of birds flying in a letter V shape. Why do they do that? In this episode, I take you into the skies to find out the science behind this amazing question. Here is an article! It is called “Why Do Birds …
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Episode 144: What Makes Diamonds So Strong?
You’ve probably heard that diamonds are the strongest material naturally found on Earth. What makes diamonds so strong? In this episode, I will take you into the science of diamonds, how they form, and how all that plays a role in why diamonds are considered the strongest natural material in the world! Here is an …
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Episode 143: How We’re All Made of Stardust!
We’re all made of stardust! It seems mind-blowing or even unreal, but everything on Earth is made out of materials that were originally in stars. In this episode, I will uncover how we’re actually made of stars and some amazing facts about our early universe. Here is an article! It is called “What is a …
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Diamonds Vs. Graphite!
Graphite and diamonds are both made out of Carbon. Carbon is a very abundant element. But, why is diamond stronger than graphite if they are made out of the same material? It is all because of the arrangement of the atoms into molecules. Atoms are the microscopic building blocks of the universe. They make up …
Episode 142: What if Coral Reefs Disappeared? With Dr. Emma Camp
What if all coral reefs on Earth suddenly disappeared? How would the Earth react? What problems would that create? In this episode, I talk to Dr. Emma Camp, a marine biologist at University of Technology Sydney, about this mind-boggling question and to tell us more about the harsh future of coral reefs. Dr. Camp is …
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Episode 141: What are Shooting Stars?
You’ve probably heard the saying “wish on a shooting star”. What exactly are shooting stars? Hint! They might not be actual stars. In this episode, I will talk more about shooting stars and what they really are. Here is an article! It is called “What Causes Meteor Showers”. (https://spectacularsci.com/2022/06/what-causes-meteor-showers/) Here is an activity! It is …
Episode 140: Why is There a Hurricane Season?
Why is there a specific hurricane season, especially in North America? Why don’t hurricanes come at all times of the year? I will explore the science and wonders of hurricanes, such as Hurricane Idalia and answer some of these mind-boggling questions in this episode.. Here is an article! It is called “How Do Hurricanes Form?” …
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Episode 139: Biomes – Part 3 – Aquatic Biomes!
Welcome to part 3 out of 3 in this series about biomes on Earth! In the previous episode, I covered the science behind land biomes. In this episode, you will learn more about the different aquatic biomes on Earth and what makes them unique! Here is an article! It is called “What Is A Biome”. …
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Episode 138: Biomes – Part 2 – Land Biomes!
Welcome to part 2 out of 3 in this series about biomes on Earth! In the previous episode, I covered the science behind what a biome is. In this episode, you will learn more about the different land biomes on Earth and what makes them unique! In part 3, Akshay will dive into the science …
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Video Podcasts on YouTube!
In the premiere of my new season, I showed viewers on YouTube a new format of my podcast! It is video podcasts! These video podcasts have clips of me, engaging animations, graphics, and more to help you understand topics better! Video podcasts are exclusive to YouTube, but you can still stream audio podcast episodes on Apple …
Episode 137: Biomes – Part 1 – What Are Biomes?
Welcome to this 3 part series about biomes! Biomes are different areas of Earth that have different temperatures and are home to unique types of life! In this series, Akshay will be covering the science behind biomes and the different types of biomes on Earth! In part 1, Akshay will be introducing you to biomes …
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Episode 136: Physical and Chemical Changes!
Physical and chemical changes are all around you! But, what are these changes, and what are some real-world examples of them? What’s the difference between physical and chemical changes? In this episode, Akshay talks about the science behind physical and chemical changes and why it is so important for our world. Here is an article! …
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New Spectacular Science Fun Fact Generator!
Introducing… the all new Spectacular Science Fun Fact Generator! I have collected many science facts over the years and have put them on this fact generator website so you can experience the feelings of awe and wonder we get while looking at these mind-blowing facts! Visit facts.spectacularsci.com to check it out and generate awe-inspiring science …
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Episode 135: Your Body’s Clock! Circadian Rhythm with Dr. Erin Gibson
Do you know what controls your sleep cycle, hunger, and even changes in body temperature? Circadian rhythm does! Circadian rhythm is your body’s internal clock and controls when certain things happen in your body. How does circadian rhythm work and why is it important? In this episode, Akshay wonders about circadian rhythm after waking up …
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Episode 134: What Is LiDAR and How Does It Work? – With Mr. Jack Wood
LiDAR is a type of technology that uses light to scan areas and to build a computer model of real-world places. LiDAR is now being used for many things, such as self-driving cars and even on smartphones. What really is LiDAR and how does it work? What does the future of LiDAR look like? In …
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Episode 133: Where Does The Salt In The Ocean Come From?
When you go to the beach and jump into the water, all you get is a mouthful of salt water! It tastes like the same salt you have on the kitchen table. Why is the ocean salty? Where does that salt come from? In this episode, Akshay gets curious about why the ocean is salty …
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Episode 132: All About Artificial Selection! With Dr. Ian Dworkin
Have you ever wondered how there are so many breeds of dogs in the world. Or, have you wondered why there are so many varieties of fruits and vegetables. It’s all thanks to artificial selection and selective breeding! Akshay visits the animal shelter in search of a new pet, and sees all of these hundreds …
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Episode 131: What’s The Deal With Microplastics? Why They Are Harmful To Earth
What’s the big deal with microplastics? What is microplastic and why is it harmful to the environment, especially animals? In this episode, Akshay tries to relax on the beach, but can’t because of all the plastic on the beach! He gets curious about microplastics and learns more about them. In this episode, we will learn …
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Episode 130: Food Chains and Food Webs!
Food chains and food webs! They are important to show the transfer of food from one animal to another. Even humans are part of a giant food web. But, how exactly does a food chain work? What are the parts of a food chain and what role do animals and plants play in it? In …
Happy Earth Day! 2023
Check out this short video about Earth Day on the Spectacular Science YouTube Channel here! youtu.be/ti9OygNsEKI Gaylord Nelson. He wanted to make a day where people could recognize and care for the environment! The first Earth Day began in 1970 and it grew even more! People plant trees and even have parades to honor the …
Episode 129: For Crying Out Loud! Why Onions Make Us Cry
You’re in the kitchen chopping onions, then suddenly, you start crying! No, it’s not because you are hurt but is because of the onion. Why do onions make us cry? In this episode, Akshay is making his signature Soup of Imagination in his kitchen. He starts chopping onions for his soup and starts crying! In …
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Episode 128: Shark Talk! All About Sharks With Ms. Melissa Cristina Márquez
Sharks! They’re one of the most mysterious, misunderstood, and amazing creatures on Earth! Have you ever wondered about sharks and what it is like when diving with them? Akshay wants to learn more about sharks, so he talks to Ms. Melissa Cristina Márquez, a shark researcher and explorer. Akshay builds a new imaginary submarine and …
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Episode 127: Where’d You Go? All About Chameleons!
Now you see me, now you don’t! Chameleons are able to camouflage into their surroundings. But, how do they do this and is how they change dependent upon their surroundings? In this episode, Akshay goes out exploring in the woods and finds chameleons everywhere, even though he can’t see some of them! Learn about chameleons …
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Episode 126: Survival of the Fittest! Evolution with Dr. William Ratcliff
Have you ever wondered how humans originated from apes or why birds look different based on their environments? Evolution and natural selection are the answers to those questions! What is evolution and natural selection? How does it work? Akshay wonders about this on his trip to the zoo, so he talks to Dr. William Ratcliff, …
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Episode 125: Glow Up! How Do Creatures Make Light?
Many creatures such as fireflies, mushrooms, fish, worms, and microscopic sea animals make light. They have this amazing superpower that lights up their surroundings. How do they make light? Akshay wonders the same thing while watching fireflies in his backyard! In this episode, we are going to take a deep dive into the science of …
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The Atlanta Science Festival!
If you live around the Atlanta area, you will love the Atlanta Science festival! It is full of fun science activities for all ages. The festival is from March 10th – 25th!
Episode 124: The Largest Animal On Earth! Amazing Blue Whales
What is the largest animal on Earth? It is the blue whale! The blue whale is as long as three school buses and weighs over 200 tons! This giant animal is also the loudest animal on Earth. Let’s go discover more fun facts about the blue whale! Join Akshay as he dives deep down into …
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Episode 123: Pollinators vs. Climate Change! With Dr. Samuel Myers
Pollinators are all around us! They help us humans get food and crops and also help the ecosystem stay in balance. But, we have a problem! Climate change! Climate change is impacting pollinators and the ecosystem as well. Akshay is curious about this and meets Dr. Samuel Myers at a bee farm! Dr. Myers is …
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What Causes The Smell Of Mown Grass?
You probably know the smell of freshly-mown grass. It is a very strong smell and, for some people, is relaxing. This smell comes from the cut grass and is made up of lots of chemicals that plants make. But, that soothing and very strong smell is actually a plant distress call!! Plants don’t have a …
Episode 122: The Toughest Animal On Earth! Microscopic Tardigrades
What is the toughest animal on Earth? You may think that it is the cheetah or the blue whale, but your have to think small! Very small, even microscopic. The tardigrade is a microorganism that can survive in extreme environments, even space! How can they do this? In this episode, Akshay takes you on a …
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Episode 121: All About Mysterious Black Holes!
Black holes are one of the most mysterious things in the universe. We know that they exist, but we don’t know what is inside of them. But, even what are black holes and how are they formed? In this episode, Akshay goes stargazing with his brand new telescope and wonders about black holes. Akshay takes …
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How Are Black Holes Formed?
A black hole is a place in space that is extremely dense and has a strong gravitational pull. This is because a lot of matter has been squeezed into a tiny space. This usually happens when a star is dying. When a star dies, sometimes it turns into a supernova. For a black hole to form, the dead star …
Episode 120: Flying Fish?? All About These Amazing Fish!
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s a flying fish! A fish that flies may seem like an animal out of a story, but they are actually a group of fish! Flying fish are amazing creatures. How are they able to fly or glide over the water and why do they do this? In …
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Episode 119: All About Teeth! With Dr. Ami Desai
Teeth! Your amazing pearly whites! We use them everyday to eat and to smile. But what are teeth made of and why is brushing and flossing them important? Akshay goes to the dentist for his check up and talks to Dr. Ami Desai, a dentist at Family Dentistry and Orthodontics. In this episode, you will …
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Happy New Year! Welcome to 2023!
Happy New Year everyone! Welcome to 2023! Let’s see what science adventures we will go on this year on Spectacular Science!
Episode 118: Concrete! How It’s Made and Why It’s Important
Concrete is all around you! The sidewalks, roads, houses, and even skyscrapers! It plays a huge role in your everyday life. But, how is concrete made and how is it used? In this episode, Akshay takes you into a deep dive into the science of concrete! Sign up for the free Spectacular Science Membership where …
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How Does Snow Happen?
The white, powdery precipitation called snow is a winter’s delight! It falls from the sky as snowflakes. One condition is the temperature. It has to be below freezing or below 32°F or 0°C. This freezing temperature makes the water in the atmosphere freeze and turn into snowflakes! The other condition is atmospheric lift. This is …
Episode 117: Hummingbirds! Small Birds With Flight Superpowers
Hummingbirds are small birds, but they are the masters of flight. These tiny birds have adapted special ways for them to fly fast and in different directions quickly. In this episode, Akshay explores the science of hummingbirds and how they have specially adapted wings that help them fly fast and even backwards! Sign up for …
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Episode 116: Speakers! How They Work
If you listen to this podcast or music, you probably use a speaker! Speakers come in all shapes and sizes, from being in giant movie theaters to fitting inside of your phone. But, how do speakers work to produce sound from electrical signals? In this episode, Akshay explores the science behind simple speakers and explains …
The Three Types of Tears!
Tears are water that come from our eyes. But, there are actually different types of tears: basal, emotional, and reflex. Basal tears keep your eyes from drying out. They supply nutrients and water to the outer parts of the eye. When there is dust, hair, or other debris in your eyes, basal tears flush them …
Episode 115: The Moon! Earth’s Best Friend
Look up in the night sky on a clear night. What catches your eye first? The Moon! The Moon is Earth’s best friend. We will all recognize it when we see it. But, what is the Moon, what is it made out of and why are missions such as NASA’s Artemis Mission being sent to …
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Episode 114: Auroras! The Greatest Light Show on Earth
Auroras! They are known as the “greatest light show on Earth”. These natural colored light shows happen near the North and South pole. But, how do these spectacular events happen and what is the science behind that? In this episode, Akshay takes you on a deep dive into the science of auroras. Sign up for …
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What Are Meteor Showers and How Do They Happen?
Meteors are small bits of rock that enter Earth’s atmosphere and sometimes land on the ground. Meteors are also known as “shooting stars”. Meteor showers are caused by comets. Comets are giant balls of rocks and ice that orbit a star. They are made up of 3 main parts: the nucleus, the coma, and the …
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Episode 113: Making Oxygen on Mars! All About MOXIE with Mr. Shravan Hariharan
There is no Oxygen on Mars. The thin Martian atmosphere is only made out of Carbon dioxide. How will we send humans and rockets to space without the Oxygen that they need? MOXIE, a machine aboard NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover helps with that! This amazing technology turns Carbon dioxide into Oxygen and is working …
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Episode 112: Coral! The Basis For Marine Life
When you first see coral, you might think that it is just a pile of rocks. But, that’s not true! Coral is made out of hundreds of living things! What is coral, how is it formed, and why is it important? In this episode, Akshay takes you on a deep dive into the ocean to …
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Rate The Lunar Eclipse That Is Coming Up! November 8th, 2022
Get ready, because tonight, a total lunar eclipse is visible over the United States! Check out our post about lunar eclipses to refresh yourself. While you’re watching the lunar eclipse, use our worksheet, Rate a Lunar Eclipse, to use the Danjon Scale to rate what color the Moon is an how bright it is! Spectacular …
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What Is Gravity?
Gravity is the force by which a planet or other body draws objects toward its center. The force of gravity keeps all of the planets in orbit around the Sun and also keeps us from floating into outer space. All objects have their own gravity. Anything that has mass also has gravity. Objects with more mass …
Episode 111: How Does The Earth Support Life?
Earth! It’s full of active life and animals. But, what makes it so that Earth supports life? Why can’t Mercury or other planets support life? In this episode, Akshay takes a deep dive into the science of life and what makes Earth a good place for life. You will also learn about what scientists are …
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Episode 110: Where’d You Get Those Genes? All About DNA
Why are your eyes blue? Why do you have black hair? Why do you look similar to your parents? It’s all thanks to genes and DNA! DNA is the instruction manual that makes you, you! In this episode, Akshay takes you on a deep dive into the science of DNA, genes, the types of genes, …
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What Is Cellular Respiration?
Cellular respiration is the set of chemical reactions that break down glucose from our food into ATP or andosine triphosphate. The ATP is energy for the body. Cellular respiration requires Oxygen and glucose to start the cycle. Cellular respiration takes place in the mitochondria or “powerhouse” of the cells. They take in the Oxygen and …
Episode 109: The Carbon Cycle! From The Earth To Living Things
Carbon is the building block of all living things, even you! But, have you ever wondered about how the carbon got to you and how the carbon is spread out around Earth? It’s all thanks to the Carbon cycle, a giant cycle which the Carbon on Earth goes through to get recycled and reused by …
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How Do We Breathe?
We breathe using our respiratory system and our lungs. Our lungs help humans breathe in Oxygen and breathe out Carbon dioxide. The lungs use tiny parts, called alveoli to help with this process. Alveoli, pronounced as alei-ve-oli, are tiny sacs inside of your lungs. They kind of look like grapes inside of your lungs! These …
Episode 108: The Digestive System!
Have you ever wondered how our bodies digest the food that we eat? Well, in the episode of Spectacular Science, Akshay takes a deep dive into the science of our digestive systems. We will learn about what the digestive system is, how it works, and the organs that are involved in the digestive system. Listen …
Episode 107: How Do We Make Energy Out Of What We Eat?
Have you ever wondered how our body makes energy out of what we eat? This plays a huge role in our lives! Without energy, we would not be able to live!! In this episode, Akshay explores the science of cellular respiration, the process in which our body turns what we eat into useful energy that …
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Happy International Podcast Day!
Happy International Podcast Day! On September 30th, 2022, we recognize podcasts and podcasters of their work and spreading their stories with the world. I am so happy that my podcast has gotten so far and I really want to thank you, my listeners! My mission when starting this podcast was to spread the spectacular things …
How Do Hurricanes Form Over The Ocean?
Hurricanes are a group of storm clouds that create a very dangerous storm. If you see a hurricane from space, you will see a giant swirling cloud. Hurricanes can bring heavy rain, wind, and sometimes minor tornadoes. Hurricanes are formed when storm clouds form over warm water. As the storm clouds move, the warm water …
Episode 106: The Science of 5G Technologies with Mr. Lyle Paczkowski
A new era of communication has been released in the past few years and is gaining heat now! It is called 5G or the fifth generation of technologies! This new type of communication tech is opening possibilities of having faster phone and internet speeds as well as having more smart gadgets, such as self-driving cars …
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First Day of Fall In The Northern Hemisphere!
Fall is here in the Northern Hemisphere! In this post, you will learn about why leaves fall from trees during the fall! Trees are living things, just like us. They are called organisms. You’ve seen that some trees lose all of their leaves in the fall and go dormant or in a resting stage in …
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Episode 105: The Science of Machine Learning With Mr. Dale Lane
There are many smart machines around us such as smart speakers, self-driving cars, and even smart thermostats! But, how do these machines learn how to perform their tasks and how are they able to respond to different situations? This is all thanks to machine learning! In this episode, Akshay gets curious about machine learning while …
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How Do Electrical Wires Work?
This is because the material inside of the wires is a conductor. Conductors are materials that electrons can travel through easily. Conductors are usually made out of metals. Conductors are used in the electrical wiring itself! Humans are also conductors of electricity (that is very dangerous) That is why humans should wear insulators to protect themselves from …
Episode 104: How Do Cells Grow and Divide?
Humans, animals, plants, and even bacteria all grow! But, how do they grow? It is all because of the cells inside of them dividing and making more of themselves! How do these cells grow and what process do they go through to create new cells? In this episode, Akshay takes you in a deep dive …
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What Are The Smaller Parts Of An Atom?
Atoms are the microscopic building blocks of the universe. They make up almost ANY material including solids, liquids, and gases! A human has more than 1 billion atoms! Atoms have specific parts. There is the nucleus, which is the center of the atom. Then, there are even smaller parts. They are protons, neutrons, and electrons! …
Episode 103: What Causes Allergies?
Some people, including Akshay, are allergic to certain things. These can be pollen, milk, nuts, and even dust! Allergies can cause the body to react to these things and make them sick. But, what causes people to be allergic to some things and what goes in in their bodies when they have an allergic reaction? …
Why Is REM Sleep Important?
REM Sleep or Rapid Eye Movement Sleep is a very important stage for human health. REM Sleep is the stage when your brain is active, dreams occur, and your eyes move back and forth rapidly under your eyelids. During this stage, your brain is very active! The brain organizes information it learned the past day in a …
Episode 102: The Science of Sleep! With Dr. Leah Irish
When you fall asleep, it just feels like you lay down and then get up in the morning 10 hours later! But, there is actually so much that goes on inside of your body when you sleep!! Akshay wonders about sleep and why we need it, so he talks to Dr. Leah Irish from North …
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What Are Chemical Bonds?
Chemical bonds are when two or more atoms bond or stick together to form molecules that make up all the things around us! If there were no bonds, everything would just be atoms that float around! There would be no visible things. There are two types of bonds: covalent and ionic bonds. Both of these …
Episode 101: Diving at Super-Speed! Peregrine Falcons
Welcome to season 5 of Spectacular Science! Peregrine falcons are very special birds. These birds dive for their prey at up to 250 miles per hour! But, how do these amazing birds dive from the air so fast? What’s the science behind the super fast flying skills? In this episode, Akshay explores the science behind …
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What Is The Nitrogen Cycle!
Nitrogen is an element that very common on Earth. In fact, nitrogen makes up most of the air that we breathe in. This nitrogen actually cycles through different forms and stages over time. This cycle is kind of similar to the carbon cycle. The nitrogen cycle starts as nitrogen gas in the atmosphere. This gas …
What Are The Characteristics Of Living Things?
Living things are also called organisms! Humans, plants, and even bacteria are great examples of living things. But, what determines that a thing is living? There are a few characteristics that make things living. One is that they are made out of cells. Living things are ALL made out of cells. Cells are tiny building …
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What Are Ocean Currents?
Ocean currents are rivers of water that move around the world. There are deep ocean currents and surface currents. Deep ocean currents are caused by differences the water’s density. Density is how close molecules are packed together in an object. The density of water is impacted by salinity (how much salt there is) and temperature. …
What Is The Carbon Cycle?
Carbon is a very common element on Earth! It is found in living things and is also found in the ocean, the air, and in the ground. Carbon is able to change forms on Earth form animals to the air. Animals and plants have carbon in them. When animals breathe out, they release Carbon dioxide …
Why Are Electric Stoves Better Than Gas Stoves?
Electric stoves are now used in place of gas stoves because they can heat things more evenly. Electric stoves used electricity to heat up and cook food. When you turn the stove on, the electricity flows through metal coils that are either exposed or under the cooking surface (if you have a glass ceramic surface). …
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What Is The Difference Between Pressure and Electric Rice Cookers?
The main parts of a basic electric rice cooker are the outer pot, inner pot, the heating element, lid, and button controls. The outer pot contains the heating element. The inner pot, where the uncooked rice goes, fits inside of the outer pot. The heating element heats up metal coils in the outer pot to …
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What Causes Snow?
The white, powdery precipitation called snow is a winter’s delight! It falls from the sky as snowflakes. One condition is the temperature. It has to be below freezing or below 32°F or 0°C. This freezing temperature makes the water in the atmosphere freeze and turn into snowflakes! The other condition is atmospheric lift. This is …
How Does REM Sleep Affect Your Body?
REM Sleep or Rapid Eye Movement Sleep is a very important stage for human health. REM Sleep is the stage when your brain is active, dreams occur, and your eyes move back and forth rapidly under your eyelids. During this stage, your brain is very active! The brain organizes information it learned the past day in a …
How Does Earth Support Life?
There are a few reasons why Earth is the only planet in the Solar System to support life. One is that Earth is located in the “Goldilocks Zone” from the Sun. The “Goldilocks Zone” is a specific distance from the Sun where it is not too hot or not too cold. It is just right! Earth is …
What Is The Difference Between Airplanes and Helicopters?
Airplanes are machines that can fly with engine or propeller power. They are able to use aerodynamics (how air and objects move) to fly. Airplanes make it so that we can travel around the world in just a few hours! Airplanes can coke in all shapes and sizes like the tiny airplanes that you see …
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What Causes The Continents On Earth To Move?
They move thanks to convection currents. Convection currents all start with density. Density is how much “stuff” (atoms and molecules) that are packed into one thing. If something has a high density, all of the atoms and molecules are close together and will sink. If something has a low density, the atoms and molecules are …
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All About The Arctic!
When you talk about the North Pole, it can mean the North Magnetic Pole or the North Geographic Pole. In this post, we are going to focus on the North Geographic Pole. That is the point on Earth where all the lines of longitude meet to form a single point. The North Pole is located …
How Do Scientists Find Exoplanets?
Planets are large objects that orbit or circle around a star, like the Sun! Planets can be made up of rocks and gases. Our Solar System is made out of 8 planets that are made up of either gas or rocks. Rocky planets are called terrestrial planets and gaseous planets are called gas giants. Planets …
Grass Alarm Smell! The Strong Smell of Mown Grass
You probably know the smell of freshly-mown grass. It is a very strong smell and, for some people, is relaxing. This smell comes from the cut grass and is made up of lots of chemicals that plants make. But, that soothing and very strong smell is actually a plant distress call!! Plants don’t have a …
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What Is The Galaxy That We Live In?
We live in the Milky Way galaxy!! Galaxies are large collections of stars, planets, asteroids, comets, and other space material like gases and dust held together by gravity. The Milky Way is the name of the galaxy that we live in. There are millions of more stars, planets, and other space debris in the Milky …
What Are The Differences Between Amphibians and Reptiles?
Reptiles are cold-blooded vertebrate (has a backbone) animals. Reptiles are ectothermic, meaning that they rely on the Sun’s energy to heat them up and match the temperature in the air around them. When it is cold outside, reptiles become more inactive in order to maintain a body temperature and are very active when it warms up! Most …
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The Providence Canyon in Georgia!
Providence Canyon State Park in Georgia is home to Providence Canyon, also known as “The Little Grand Canyon”. This canyon formed because of clearcutting of trees and farming. The land’s history began millions of years ago when sediments were deposited under ancient seas and coastal beaches. These delicate ribbons of sand were protected by trees and …
What Is Mechanical Weathering?
Weathering is the breaking down of rock by many natural agents like water, wind, and gravity. Mechanical Weathering is when rocks are broken down without a chemical change. They are changing their physical properties. Mechanical weathering can split rocks in half and turn them into dust! Some examples of Mechanical Weathering are ice wedging (when water …
Why Does Copper Turn Green?
Copper naturally turns green over time as it reacts with Oxygen in the air. This chemical reaction is known as oxidation. The Oxygen and some water in the atmosphere react with the surface of the copper. That causes the copper and Oxygen atoms to bond to create copper oxide. That is the green or blue …
How Does Recycling Work?
Recycling is the process of making used or old things into new things. Recycling usually happens with some plastics, glass, and paper. They melt/shred the materials and make new objects out of them. Recycling reuses the material and shapes it into new objects that can be used again! Recycling is very good for the Earth …
What Is Green Energy?
Green Energy means a way to make power without polluting the atmosphere. Most power plants today use coal and gasoline to generate electricity. When they burn coal and gasoline, it creates Carbon Dioxide (CO2) which is a Greenhouse Gas. This means that it traps the Sun’s energy in the atmosphere and makes the planet hotter. This causes …
What Causes Objects To Slow Down On Earth?
It is all because of friction. Friction is a force that happens when two or more objects are rubbed together. This can break the object, generate heat, or make sounds. Friction is a force that blocks the movement. That is why remote control cars can’t drive well on carpet. When there is too much friction, …
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The 100th Episode of Spectacular Science! – Music and the Brain
This is the 100th episode of Spectacular Science! This is a very big milestone for this podcast. In this episode, Akshay is celebrating the 100th episode of Spectacular Science with a musical spectacular! In this episode, Akshay talks to Dr. Alan Harvey from the University of Western Australia about how the brain processes music. Akshay …
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Why Do Some Fruits Have Peels Or Shells?
Fruits are pieces of plants that have sugar inside of them. They don’t always have to be sweet to be a fruit! Fruits have either of these two things: seeds or come from flowering plants. The entire purpose of fruits is to help the plant reproduce. The seeds help the plants make more plants. If …
What Causes Day And Night?
It may seem simple, but the day and night cycle on Earth has lots of moving parts that work together. Let’s start out with the Earth. The Earth spins on its axis, which is an imaginary line that goes down the center of the Earth. As the Earth spins, different parts of the Earth face …
How Do Fireworks Explode And Create Dazzling Colors In The Sky?
Aerial fireworks are the fireworks that you see launched into the sky! They are usually fired using rockets and mortars. These fireworks create a dazzling light show above us! They all start with a paper tube. That tube is filled with small bits of metal, like iron or steel, colorants (made using gases/elements such as …
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What Causes A Low Pressure System?
Air molecules around us push down on us all the time. The air from the atmosphere takes up space, so it has mass (weight). The more atmosphere above you, the more the air pressure. There is actually 14.7 pounds per square inch of your body pushing down on you right now!! That means that your …
What Causes A High Pressure System?
Air molecules around us push down on us all the time. That is air pressure. In weather, there are two types of pressure systems: high and low pressure systems. In this post, we are focusing on high pressure systems. High pressure systems mean that a lot of air is pushing down on a certain area. …
Why Is Hair Important?
Hair is a strand of string protein that grows out of hair follicles or tiny sacs in your skin. Hair is made up of keratin, the same material your fingernails are made out of. Hair grows through a process of cells dividing and getting pushed out of the follicle. This causes a strand of cells …
What Are Cells?
Cells are the makeup of every living thing! There are two types of cells: plant and animal cells. We are going to talk about Cells in general. Cells make energy by getting Carbon in the form of sugar. Depending on the organism, it make it’s own food or eat food to survive. Cells also make …
How Do Sponges Absorb Water?
Sponges are used by humans every day, from washing the dishes to cleaning up a mess! Some sponges are natural, but others are artificially made. In this post, we will be focusing on the artificial or synthetic sponges. Sponges are able to absorb water because they retain or keep in water very well. This is …
What Causes Friction?
Friction is a force that happens when two or more objects are rubbed together. This can break the object, generate heat, or make sounds. Friction is a force that blocks the movement. That is why remote control cars can’t drive well on carpet. When there is too much friction, the force builds up and gets …
What’s So Special About Titan?
Titan is the second-largest moon in the Solar System. Titan orbits around Saturn every 16 Earth days. Titan has entire oceans and seas of liquid Methane, a gas that is so cold that it turns into a liquid! Titan also has a lot of empty rivers that were carved out by a liquid millions of …
What Causes Meteor Showers?
Meteors are small bits of rock that enter Earth’s atmosphere and sometimes land on the ground. Meteors are also known as “shooting stars”. Meteor showers are caused by comets. Comets are giant balls of rocks and ice that orbit a star. They are made up of 3 main parts: the nucleus, the coma, and the …
Why Are Coral Reefs Important?
Coral is often mistaken for a rock because of its hard surface! Many think it is a plant because it is rooted in the ground. Coral is a group of animals!! Different from rocks, coral is alive. Unlike plants, corals do not make their own food. A coral is actually made up of thousands of tiny …
What Makes The Sky Appear Blue?
The Visible light spectrum is the different colors in the white light that we see. The different colors are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. You can see these colors by bending light with a prism or with water. The sky is blue because the molecules (building blocks of the universe) in the …
Episode 99: Owls! Superstars of the Night
Owls are amazing creatures and have some superpowers. But, what are those superpowers? In this episode, Akshay is taking a dive into the science of owls when he meets an owl! From turning their heads almost all the way around to hearing things from far away, owls are definitely the superstars of the night! Subscribe …
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What’s So Special About Europa?
Europa is one of Jupiter’s moons. It takes 85 hours to orbit Jupiter. Europa is mostly made of rocks and ice. The part that really got scientists interested is water! This water bursts out of the surface of the moon like jets of water. These eruptions release water. Scientists think that Europa may have liquid …
What Do Plants Use Sunlight For?
Plants need sunlight because plants use the Sun to make food. Chlorophyll helps plants collect the sunlight. Chlorophyll is made up of even smaller parts called Chloroplasts. Chloroplasts have a green color to them. Leaves have Chloroplast because they help the plant or tree collect sunlight and turn it into sugar. That process is called …
What Are The Effects of Deforestation?
Deforestation is when people cut down large areas of forests. These trees are cut down in a way called clearcutting. Clearcutting is when all of the trees in the area are completely gone. This can be done for new buildings, roads, logging, or farmland. Clearcutting and deforestation in general can be very bad for the …
Are There Different Types of Tears?
Yes! There are different types of tears. Tears are water that come from our eyes. But, there are actually different types of tears: basal, emotional, and reflex. Basal tears keep your eyes from drying out. They supply nutrients and water to the outer parts of the eye. When there is dust, hair, or other debris …
What Is Coral Bleaching?
Some of the coral in the ocean is actually losing its color! This is called coral bleaching and this happens when the oceans get too hot for the coral. Coral actually have algae living on them and those algae turn sunlight into food for the coral and also give the coral its color. But, when …
What Makes Some Plastics Clear?
Plastic is a type of polymer. Polymers are certain materials that have atoms that are bonded together in a link pattern. Atoms are the tiny building blocks of all elements. When atoms bond together, like in polymers, they form molecules! Poly means many and mer or mers means units. Polymers means many units! A great example of a human-made polymer is …
Episode 98: A Need For Speed! How Cheetahs Run So Fast
When you think of speedy animals, what is the first animal that comes to mind? The cheetah! Cheetahs are known for running very fast. But, how do cheetahs run so fast? They have developed many adaptations that help them run so fast! In this episode, Akshay explores the science behind how cheetahs run so fast! …
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What Is A Supermoon?
A supermoon is an astronomical event when the Moon is in the closest point to Earth in its orbit. From Earth, the Moon looks bigger and brighter during a supermoon. The Moon will be 30% brighter and 14% bigger! The Moon’s orbit is not a perfect circle. It is actually a stretched-out oval or ellipse. …
What Are Placebos?
Placebos are used in clinical trials. Placebos are fake medicines or vaccines that help researchers compare people who took the medicine with people who just got a fake medication. Placebos do nothing inside of a person’s body. Placebos for vaccines and tablets can be made out of salt, water, and sugar. These people, who took …
What Is The Global Conveyor Belt?
The Global Conveyor Belt is a series of ocean currents that move water around the world! Currents are rivers of moving water that are caused by differences in density. Density is how close molecules are packed together in an object. The density of water is impacted by salinity (how much salt there is) and temperature. …
Does Hand Sanitizer Get Rid Of All Germs?
Hand sanitizer is a quick and easy way to disinfect your hands. It kills bacteria and viruses that might make you sick, right on your hands! But, hand sanitizer doesn’t get rid of all bacteria and viruses, so if there is a sink around, you should wash your hands instead of just going to hand …
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Why Do Hummingbirds Hover?
If you have not seen a hummingbird before, it is a tiny bird and it hovers in place like a helicopter! That is the hummingbird’s specialty! Hummingbirds can hover for two reasons. One is the bones that are in a hummingbird wing. Most birds have arm bones in their wings, but hummingbirds have hand bones …
A Few Million Years Ago, Antarctica Was a Rainforest! How?
Antarctica, a few million years ago, was a rainforest! Now, we see Antarctica as a giant deserts with just ice. How did this transformation happen? It all happened because of the continents moving. They move thanks to convection currents. Convection currents all start with density. Density is how much “stuff” (atoms and molecules) that are …
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Episode 97: What Makes a Bubble Pop?
Bubbles! Why do they pop? And why do they have shadows even though they are transparent? In this episode, Akshay gets curious about the science of bubbles when he was blowing bubbles! Join Akshay on an adventure from the small soap molecules to giant-sized bubbles in this episode. Please follow/subscribe wherever you’re listening right now! …
What Makes It Easy For Cheetahs To Run So Fast?
A cheetah is a mammal that mostly lives in the African Savanna. It is covered in spots and has black markings under its eyes. Cheetahs are in the genus or family Acinonyx. They are unlike big cats like tigers or lions because they do not have retractable claws that they can pull in. Their claws are …
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How Is Sand Turned Into Glass?
Glass is a transparent material used in plates, cups, windows, and even art! Glass is made from natural raw materials such as sand and limestone. Those materials are melted down into molten material. That is done using a kiln which is super hot!! The molten glass is now cooling fast, so they reheat the glass …
How Do Rockets Work?
A rocket is basically a vehicle that uses Newton’s Third Law to send things into space. Rockets are filled with fuel and when that fuel is lighted on fire, it produces lots of smoke and hot gas. That is actually what sends a rocket into space. According to Newton’s Third Law, “For every action, there …
Spectacular Science is on YouTube!
Spectacular Science is now on YouTube! You can get experiment videos, episodes, and much more by subscribing to the Spectacular Science YouTube channel! Click here to Subscribe! By subscribing, you really encourage me to keep making more episodes! Thank you so much!
Why Is Glue Sticky?
Glue is any liquids that can be applied to a surface and harden over time. Glue can be used for crafts, construction, or even surgery! Different types of glue are used for different purposes. Organic glue is made out of organic compounds, but we are going to focus on synthetic glue. Synthetic glue, which is …
How Did The Planets Form?
Planets are large objects that orbit or circle around a star, like the Sun! Planets can be made up of rocks and gases. Our Solar System is made out of 8 planets that are made up of either gas or rocks. Rocky planets are called terrestrial planets and gaseous planets are called gas giants. Planets …
Episode 96: Asteroids! Giant Pieces of Rock Floating In Space
Have you ever heard of asteroids? Asteroids are giant pieces of rock floating in space. But, did you know that there are different types of asteroids? In this episode, Akshay explores the science behind asteroids and the asteroid belt! Spectacular Science is on YouTube! Please subscribe to the Spectacular Science YouTube channel by using this …
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How Are Rainbows Created?
Rainbows are optical illusions that happen when light bends in water droplets and splits into different colors. Those colors are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. White light is made out of all these colors. When it rains, lots of water droplets are in the sky. The Sun shines through these water droplets. …
What Are Electrical Circuits?
A circuit is a path that current electricity or electrons can flow through. Current electricity is a type of human-made electricity. A simple circuit is made out of four parts: the power source, wires, the load, and a switch. A simple circuit works by electrons, which are negatively charged, exit from the negative terminal of …
How Do Fuses Help With Short Circuits?
A circuit is a path that current electricity or electrons can flow through. Current electricity is a type of human-made electricity. A simple circuit is made out of four parts: the power source, wires, the load, and a switch! A simple circuit works by electrons, which are negatively charged, exit from the negative terminal of …
How Do Electric Cars Work?
Electric cars work differently from regular gasoline-powered cars. Regular cars work using an Internal Combustion Engine that creates a small, controlled explosion inside of the engine. That moves a piston which is connected to a wheel. That wheel then moves while the piston is moving! That gasoline that you put into your car powers the …
What Are Trees?
Trees are large plants that have a long life cycle. That’s why they are so big. The parts of trees are roots, the trunk, branches, and leaves. The leaves take in Carbon dioxide and sunlight. The roots suck up water and nutrients. That is then turned into sugar and oxygen that the tree can feed …
How Does Echolocation Work?
Echolocation is when animals locate objects using sound. Bats, dolphins, and other animals use echolocation. First, the animal makes a sound, which is usually high pitched. This helps the sound travel farther and also give it more energy. Then, the sound reflects or bounces off of a surface or another animal. Then, the sound reflects back to …
Episode 95: Heat Transfer! How Heat Moves Through Things
We all see and experience heat every day, from the Sun shining down on us, to touching a hot mug, to even cooking food!! But, heat is actually being transferred or moved through many things every day. What is heat transfer and what are the types of heat transfer? In this episode, Akshay uncovers the …
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What Is Evaporation?
Water, or H20, is a liquid that is found all over the Earth! Water can be in different states of matter: solids, liquids, and gases. Water vapor, or steam, is in the gas state of matter. When water is a liquid, the molecules in the water are flowing freely, but still have a definite size. …
How Plastic Is Made!!
Plastic is a type of polymer. Polymers are certain materials that have atoms that are bonded together in a link pattern. Atoms are the tiny building blocks of all elements. When atoms bond together, like in polymers, they form molecules! Poly means many and mer or mers means units. Polymers means many units! A great example of a human-made polymer is …
What Is Saharan Dust?
Sahara Dust is debris such as sand, smoke, soot, and dirt that comes from the Sahara Desert in Africa. The Sahara Desert takes up 3.552 million square miles!! The Saharan Air Layer (SAL) is an intensely dry, warm, and heavy dust layer that originates from this giant Sahara Desert! It travels over the ocean to reach North America, …
Why Do Flowers Wilt After They Have Been Taken Off The Plant?
Flowers are an assortment of petals and pollen that a plant produces to reproduce. The pollen of a flower contains the genetic information to make seeds and new plants. Besides being pretty, flowers actually make fruits possible! A fruit is what is left after a flower dies and sugar is put into the dead flower bulb. Thank …
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What Is A Leaf Made Out Of?
Inside of a leaf, there are passageways that water and nutrients can travel through, but the most important and dominant part of the leaves are the chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is made up of even smaller parts called chloroplasts. Chloroplasts have a green color to them. Leaves have chloroplast because they help the plant or tree collect …
Why Does Mown Grass Have a Smell?
You probably know the smell of freshly-mown grass. It is a very strong smell and, for some people, is relaxing. This smell comes from the cut grass and is made up of lots of chemicals that plants make. But, that soothing and very strong smell is actually a plant distress call!! Plants don’t have a …
Episode 94: The Secret Senses of Plants!
Can plants feel pain? No, they don’t feel pain. But, they have some amazing secret senses! Akshay wonders about these plant senses and explores the science behind the secret superpowers of plants! Plants are able to defend each other and themselves, recognize bugs that attack them, and even figure out which direction to grow!! Please …
May 15-16 – Amazing Lunar Eclipse!
Yesterday was a total lunar eclipse over the United States! I was very excited for this eclipse to happen! Just a refresher, a lunar eclipse is when Earth’s shadow is cast on the Moon. This causes the Moon to appear red because of the light being scattered on Earth. This is called the “Blood Moon”. Before the …
Rate The Lunar Eclipse That Is Coming Up!
Get ready, because tonight, a total lunar eclipse is visible over the United States! Check out our post yesterday about lunar eclipses to refresh yourself. While you’re watching the lunar eclipse, use our worksheet, Rate a Lunar Eclipse, to use the Danjon Scale to rate what color the Moon is an how bright it is! …
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What Is A Lunar Eclipse?
This happens during Lunar Eclipses. A Lunar Eclipse is when the Moon moves into the Earth’s shadow. The Sun is shining on the Earth and the Moon is behind the Earth. The Moon can appear to change color sometimes when it is a total Lunar Eclipse. The Moon only appears to change color on Earth. …
How Do 3D Movie Glasses Work?
If you have watched a 3D movie, you will have to wear special 3D viewing glasses. But, how do they work? In order for movies to appear in 3D, you must wear polarized, or 3D, glasses. Polarized means that the glasses filter the light based on how they are traveling. Light typically moves in a …
How Does Earth’s Tilt Cause Seasons?
Seasons are different climate patterns that happen throughout different times in a year! Places on Earth experience seasons at different times. Some seasons are noticeable and others are not. We have seasons because the Earth is slightly tilted on its axis. An axis is an imaginary rod going from the top to the bottom where …
How Do Ballpoint Pens Work?
Pens work differently from pencils. Read more about pencils here! In this post, we are going to focus on the most common type of pen: the ballpoint pen. All pens use ink, but the cool thing here is how it draws the ink to the tip. In ballpoint pens, there is a small cartridge with pen …
Episode 93: Solar and Lunar Eclipses!
Solar and lunar eclipses are amazing space events to see. They both involve the Moon, Sun, and the Earth. But, how are they created and how are solar and lunar eclipses different from one another? That is what Akshay is exploring in today’s episode of Spectacular Science! Please follow/subscribe to Spectacular Science! Learn how to …
Why Do Dogs Pant When They Are Hot?
Dogs are very playful animals! But, when they play a lot and get hot, you may notice that they start panting. Panting is when dogs inhale and exhale fast! Dogs also stick their tongues out while doing this! This is because dogs do not have an effective system of sweat glands like people do. They …
How Do We Hear Sounds?
Sound waves are what sound travels in! They are little vibrations of air that travel through a medium or a material that it is travelling through. Sound waves are why you can hear a jackhammer or my podcast!! Sound waves work like this: First, an object or person has to make a sound. A sound is made …
How Do We See Things And Know What Color They Are?
Let’s start with light. Light can be broken up into a few colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet! When we see white light coming from the Sun or a lightbulb, that white light is all of the rainbow colors together. When the white light hits an object it reflections, or bounces of …
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What Causes The Sky To Appear Blue?
The Visible Light Spectrum is the different colors in the white light that we see. The different colors are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. You can see these colors by bending light with a prism or with water. The sky is blue because the molecules (building blocks of the universe) in the …
The Phases of the Moon!
Our Moon is a natural satellite. This is a natural object that orbits or circles around a planet or star. The Moon is believed to have been an irregular piece of our planet that got knocked off by a comet. The Moon has different phases that we see here from Earth! There are different phases …
What Is Coral?
Coral is often mistaken for a rock because of its hard surface! Many think it is a plant because it is rooted in the ground. Coral is a group of animals!! Different from rocks, coral is alive. Unlike plants, corals do not make their own food. A coral is actually made up of thousands of tiny …
Episode 92: The Human Brain! With Dr. Laura Carruth
The brain! It fits inside of our head, and plays a huge role in how our bodies function and stay alive! The brain controls many things like thoughts, hunger, and so much more! But, what exactly is the brain and how does it work? Akshay gets really curious about this too! That is why Akshay …
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What is Hair And Why Is It Important?
Hair is a strand of string protein that grows out of hair follicles or tiny sacs in your skin. Hair is made up of keratin, the same material your fingernails are made out of. Hair grows through a process of cells dividing and getting pushed out of the follicle. This causes a strand of cells …
Why Is Water Important For Survival?
Yesterday, I wrote about why Earth is the only planet (at least for now) in our Solar System that hosts life. One of the reasons was water! In this post, I am going to tell you why water is important for survival! Water is a substance that is found everywhere on Earth! It can be a …
Why Is Earth The Only Planet In Our Solar System That Supports Life?
There are a few reasons why Earth is the only planet in the Solar System to support life. One is that Earth is located in the “Goldilocks Zone” from the Sun. The “Goldilocks Zone” is a specific distance from the Sun where it is not too hot or not too cold. It is just right! …
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What Are The 3 Types of Asteroids?
Asteroids are large pieces of rock floating in space. Most of the asteroids found in our Solar System are in the Asteroid Belt. The 3 main types of asteroids are C, S, and M type asteroids. The asteroids are put into these categories based on their composition or what they are made out of. Let’s start off …
What Are White Dwarf Stars?
A white dwarf is what stars become after they have used up their fuel. Near the end of its burning stage, this type of star releases most of its outer material, creating a planetary nebula. A nebula is leftover material from an old star. This is the place where new stars form! Only the hot …
Why Will Your Weight Change If You Are On Another Planet?
Go to projects.spectacularsci.com/calculate-your-weight-on-planets to try out my new weight calculator on planets! This will tell you how much you will weigh if you are on another planet in the Solar System! If you try out the calculator, you might notice that your Earth weight differs from planet to planet! But, why does that happen? It …
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Episode 91: Gravity!
Right now, as you are reading this, are you floating out into space? No! It is because of the gravity that is keeping you glued to the Earth’s surface! But, what exactly is gravity and what does it do? In this episode, Akshay explores the science behind gravity! Gravity plays a huge role on how …
Why Is Rubber So Flexible?
Rubber is a natural product, produced by plants, and is used in many of the things we use every day! Rubber is a type of polymer. Polymers are certain materials that have atoms that are bonded together in a link pattern. Atoms are the tiny building blocks of all elements. When atoms bond together, like …
What Are Exoplanets?
Planets are large objects that orbit or circle around a star, like the Sun! Planets can be made up of rocks and gases. Our Solar System is made out of 8 planets that are made up of either gas or rocks. Rocky planets are called terrestrial planets and gaseous planets are called gas giants. Planets …
What Is The Difference Between Viruses and Bacteria?
A virus is infectious object that depends on living organisms’ cells to multiply. They are bad for living organisms and take over cells. Viruses infect a body and travel to a cell and inject it’s DNA code into the cell which will make the virus multiply and will destroy the cell. This is how viruses make us …
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Earth Day 2022!! How To Go Green
Every April 22nd, we celebrate a day we call Earth Day. Earth Day is a day that we do good things for the environment. This holiday was created by Senator Gaylord Nelson. He wanted to make a day where people could recognize and care for the environment! The first Earth Day began in 1970 and …
How Do Black Holes Consume Stars and Matter?
A black hole is a place in space that is extremely dense and has a strong gravitational pull. This is because a lot of matter has been squeezed into a tiny space. This usually happens when a star is dying. Black holes can suck in entire stars and planets! Black holes can be from the size of a single atom to …
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What Is The Kuiper Belt?
The Kuiper Belt is a donut-shaped region of icy bodies beyond the orbit of Neptune. Pluto is one of these objects found in the Kuiper Belt! There may be millions of these icy objects called Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs) or trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs). The Kuiper Belt is similar to the Asteroid Belt because it is pieces …
Episode 90: Beyond the Planets! The Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud
We all know our Solar System and it is our home. But, have you ever thought about the objects beyond Neptune? That is what we are learning about today! Akshay gets curious about the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud which are outside of the planetary region! We will learn what these objects beyond the …
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What Caused The Formation of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a divergent tectonic plate boundary that is on the ocean floor. A divergent boundary is when two tectonic plates move apart from each other. In this case, the plates are the South American Plate and the African Plate. As those plates pull apart, magma from below the Earth’s crust rises up and cools …
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How Do Pens Write?
Pens work differently from pencils. Read more about pencils here! In this post, we are going to focus on the most common type of pen: the ballpoint pen. All pens use ink, but the cool thing here is how it draws the ink to the tip. In ballpoint pens, there is a small cartridge with …
Why Does Pollen Give Some People Allergies?
Pollen is a sticky substance that is found inside of most flowering plants. Pollen is in the middle of the flower of the plant. Pollen is attached to long structures called stamens and smaller structures called pistils. This pollen helps make new plants grow through a process called pollination. That is when pollen is transferred …
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How Does Density Change?
Density is the amount of “stuff” (molecules and atoms) that are packed into one space. Objects’ density can be found by dividing the mass (weight) of an object by the volume (space it takes up) of an object. Density is measured in grams per milliliter (g/mL). If something has to float on water, than the density …
What Is Light?
Light is a type of energy that is made up of tiny particles called photons. These photons can zip around the universe at very high speeds! The speed of light is the ultimate universe speed limit, up to 180,000 miles per second! The regular light you see is actually made up of different colors of …
Why Are Bees Important For Flowers?
Bees are important in a lot of ways, but the most important is pollination. Pollen is a sticky substance that is found inside of most flowering plants. Pollen is in the middle of the flower of the plant. Pollen is attached to long structures called stamens and smaller structures called pistils. This pollen helps make …
Episode 89: How Do We Taste Things?
When we eat food, we all know what it tastes like. It might be sweet, savory, sour, salty, or even bitter! But, have you ever wondered what goes on in your mouth and your brain when you taste things? Akshay wonders the same thing when we is playing around with foods and different tastes in …
What Causes A Chemical Reaction?
Chemical reactions are when two or more materials combine to make a new material! The two materials usually react with each other, producing that new material. This happens when molecular and atomic bonds are broken apart or connected. A great example is when you mix baking soda and vinegar to make Carbon dioxide gas! There …
What Makes Graphite Weaker Than Diamond Even Though They Are Made Of The Same Element?
Graphite and diamonds are both made out of Carbon. Carbon is a very abundant element. But, why is diamond stronger than graphite if they are made out of the same material? It is all because of the arrangement of the atoms into molecules. Atoms are the microscopic building blocks of the universe. They make up …
How Are Pencils Able To Write?
Pencil tips are made out of graphite. Graphite molecules are flat groups of carbon atoms that are stacked in layers. If you were to zoom in on the graphite, the graphite would be organized in flat sheets. Those flat sheets make the graphite weaker and makes the graphite break into tiny bits. When you write on a piece of …
What Are Dwarf Planets?
Dwarf planets are similar to the planets we know, but they are still different. Dwarf planets have enough mass to clump themselves in to an almost-round shape, just like planets. Dwarf planets also orbit around the Sun, just like other planets. But, their orbital path is not cleared of asteroids and space dust, so they …
What Is Run-Off Of Water?
Run-off is when precipitation (snow, rain sleet, or hail) hits the ground and drains into rivers, lakes, and oceans. This run-off is what causes accumulations or build-ups of water. Run-off is also a cause of erosion, which can break down and carry rocks to different places. Millions of years ago, planet Earth did not really have rivers …
What Is Density?
Density is the amount of “stuff” (molecules and atoms) that are packed into one space. Objects’ density can be found by dividing the mass (weight) of an object by the volume (space it takes up) of an object. Density is measured in grams per milliliter (g/mL). If something has to float on water, than the density …
Episode 88: Mountains! What They Are and How They Form
Time to climb a mountain! But, before we do that, we have to think about how mountains form! Akshay wonders about mountains a lot and sets out to discover how mountains form and many more things about these giant mounds of rock. Akshay also answers an amazing question he came up with: why is it …
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What Are Vascular Plants?
Vascular plants are plants that have a series of tubes running through their stem/trunk to their leaves. These tubes or veins are what a plant uses to transport nutrients through it. A plant with roots is also considered a vascular plant because it roots are tubes that carry water and nutrients. HINT: Vascular Plants usually …
What Is A Stethoscope?
A stethoscope is a instrument used by doctors and other medical specialists. It is used to measure people’s heartbeat and their breathing. It is placed on the area where the heart is or on the back. A modern stethoscope is made up of a Y-shaped flexible plastic tube. An earpiece is attached to each end of the Y and a sound-detecting device at the other end. The sound-detecting device …
What Is A Neutron Star?
Neutron stars are formed when a massive star runs out of fuel and collapses in on itself. The core of the star collapses, crushing together ever proton and electron into neutrons. These newly-created neutrons can stop the collapse leaving behind a neutron star! This collapse leaves behind the most dense object known – an object …
What Are Atoms?
Atoms are the microscopic building blocks of the universe. They make up almost ANY material including solids, liquids, and gases! A human has more than 1 billion atoms! Atoms have specific parts. There is the nucleus, which is the center of the atom. Then, there are even smaller parts. They are protons, neutrons, and electrons! …
How Do We Taste Things?
Taste is one of our 5 senses. It is how we think food tastes in our mouth. There are a few types of tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and savory (umami). We taste these using taste buds that contain different cells that taste each of these tastes that I mentioned earlier. Taste buds have these …
How Are Clouds Helpful?
Clouds are large collections of water droplets that can be frozen, but only sometimes. They form due to condensation, when water evaporates into a gas and cools down above the Earth. Then, the water drops attach to pieces of dust or dirt that are above the Earth. As more droplets attach to one piece of …
Episode 87: Chilling Out With Snow!
Snow! It marks that winter has arrived! Snow coats the ground like a white blanket and kids (including me) love to play in it! When you look at snow, it all looks the same, but they are not. In fact, there are lots of different shapes of snowflakes! In this episode, Akshay wonders about snow …
What Are Constellations?
A constellation is a group of stars that have been associated with a shape. This helps humans recognize stars and groups of stars easier. Stars are giant burning balls of gas that can be over 800,000°F. Stars are the centers of Solar Systems and can be very bright! Stars provide the planets with light, heat, …
What Are Some Ways Rocks Can Weather?
Weathering is when rocks get broken down into pieces. Weathering can happen in many different ways, from salt to clay to ice! We are going to focus on the 5 main ways: water, ice, salt crystallization, clay formation, and plant roots. To learn more about weathering, check out our episode about weathering! Weathering with water happens …
What Is A Supernova?
A supernova is a powerful explosion of a star when it dies. Stars are giant balls of gas in space. The stars are very hot! They can be up to 800,000 degrees Fahrenheit! Our own Sun is also a star. It supplies us with light and heat. Stars take millions of years to form. The …
What Is A Comet?
Comets are giant balls of rocks and ice that orbit a star. They are made up of 3 main parts: the nucleus, the coma, and the tail. The nucleus of a comet is made up of ice, gas, dust, and rocks. It is found right at the head of a comet. The nucleus of a …
What Are Owls?
Owls are nocturnal birds that live on every continent, except Antarctica. They are flying birds that eat small rodents and other small birds. Owls are carnivores, meaning that they ONLY eat meat. Owls are almost like superheroes! They have many amazing powers. They have very big eyes that help them see in the dark. This is because …
How Did The Planets In The Solar System Form?
Planets are large objects that orbit or circle around a star, like the Sun! Planets can be made up of rocks and gases. Our Solar System is made out of 8 planets that are made up of either gas or rocks. Rocky planets are called terrestrial planets and gaseous planets are called gas giants. Planets …
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Episode 86: How Did The Universe Form? – With Dr. Paul M. Sutter
Have you ever looked up in the night sky and wondered how everything got there? I’m talking about the origins of our universe! The one thing that formed this universe!! Akshay wonders about that when he goes stargazing, so he visits Dr. Paul M. Sutter, an astrophysicist and author of Your Place in the Universe …
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What Is The Planet Mars?
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is a terrestrial planet which means it is made out of rocks and metals. It is named after the Roman God of War. The days and seasons on Mars are similar to the days and seasons on Earth. A year on Mars is 687 Earth days …
How Did Saturn’s Rings Form?
Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun. It is a gas giant which means it is mostly made out of thick gases. Some of those gases are Hydrogen and Methane. It has about 62 moons and more waiting for confirmation. Saturn is the second most largest planet in the Solar System. It is the …
What Is The Nervous System?
The nervous system is the collection of all the nerves in your body and its function is to receive and send information on what’s going with the body. The nervous system includes your brain and spinal cord. Your brain and spinal cord are the centers where the information is being sent and received. Without the …
What Are The 3 Types of Heat Transfer?
Heat transfer is the spread of heat between objects. There are three types: conduction, radiation, and convection. Conduction is heat that is transferred through direct contact. Conductors are materials that allow heat to pass through them. An example of conduction is touching a hot pot on a stove (NEVER do that!). Then, there is radiation. …
How Do SPG Nerves Cause Brain Freezes?
A brain freeze is an informal term for Sphenopalatine Ganglion Neuralgia. It is when the blood vessels in your brain expand to cause a headache! This is all caused SPG nerves. These nerves are at the back of your mouth and are very sensitive to cold foods like ice cream. SPG nerves or the sphenopalatine …
How Do The Continents Move?
They move thanks to convection currents. Convection currents all start with density. Density is how much “stuff” (atoms and molecules) that are packed into one thing. If something has a high density, all of the atoms and molecules are close together and will sink. If something has a low density, the atoms and molecules are …
Episode 85: 142-Year-Old Seed Experiment! – With Dr. David Lowry
Have you wondered how long seeds last underground before they can’t sprout anymore? Akshay wonders the same thing! So, Akshay talks to Dr. David Lowry from Michigan State University about the amazing Beal Seed Experiment. Join Akshay and Dr. Lowry on an adventure to discover what the Beal Seed Experiment is and go on a …
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How Do Cumulonimbus Clouds Form?
Cumulonimbus clouds are storm clouds. Clouds are large collections of water droplets that can be frozen, but only sometimes. They form due to condensation, when water evaporates into a gas and cools down above the Earth. Then, the water drops attach to pieces of dust or dirt that are above the Earth. As more droplets …
What Are Cumulus Clouds?
Cumulus clouds are fluffy, white clouds that float high in the sky. They usually mean that the day is going to be sunny and there will be good weather. These clouds are the types of clouds you see in happy movies or T.V. shows! Cumulus clouds are condensed water that is still not ready to …
What Are Low Pressure Systems?
Air molecules around us push down on us all the time. The air from the atmosphere takes up space, so it has mass (weight). The more atmosphere above you, the more the air pressure. There is actually 14.7 pounds per square inch of your body pushing down on you right now!! That means that your …
How Do Tornadoes Form?
Tornadoes are a rotating column of air that spins very fast. They are made up of a giant cloud that stretches from above to the ground. Tornadoes can have violent winds and lots of rain. Tornadoes can do lots of damage, so it is important to take shelter during a tornado. Tornadoes are usually formed …
What Are Flowers and What Is Their Purpose?
Flowers are an assortment of petals and pollen that a plant produces to reproduce. The pollen of a flower contains the genetic information to make seeds and new plants. Besides being pretty, flowers actually make fruits possible! A fruit is what is left after a flower dies and sugar is put into the dead flower bulb. Thank …
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Why Is There So Much Pollen In The Air During Spring?
There is so much pollen in the air because lots of flowers bloom in the Spring. Pollen is a sticky substance that is found inside of most flowering plants. Pollen is in the middle of the flower of the plant. Pollen is attached to long structures called stamens and smaller structures called pistils. This pollen …
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Episode 84: Weather!
Look out the window. Is it sunny, cloudy, or rainy? Well, that is all weather! In this episode, Akshay gets caught in a storm and wonders what weather is and how weather works! In this episode, we are taking a deep dive into the science of weather and the patterns in the atmosphere. Please follow/subscribe …
The Planet Jupiter!
Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun. It comes after the Asteroid Belt. It is a gas giant which means it is mostly made out of gases like Hydrogen and Methane. Jupiter is the BIGGEST planet in the Solar System! Get ready for some big numbers! If you were to wrap a belt around …
What Is The Greenhouse Effect and What Causes It?
The Greenhouse Effect is what climate change is caused by. This effect is when gases like Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Methane (CH4) are released into the atmosphere. These gases, also known as greenhouse gases trap the heat that the Sun beams out inside of Earth’s atmosphere. This happens because these gases are able to absorb …
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What Are High Pressure Systems?
Air molecules around us push down on us all the time. That is air pressure. In weather, there are two types of pressure systems: high and low pressure systems. In this post, we are focusing on high pressure systems. High pressure systems mean that a lot of air is pushing down on a certain area. …
How Does Sand Form?
Sand is just rock that has been eroded. Erosion is when wind, water, or other natural agent wears away at rock and takes it to a new place. This take millions of years to happen. As the wind or water etches away at the rock, the pieces of soil or rock that come off get …
Why Do Leaves That Fall On The Ground Dry Up?
During the Fall, leaves from trees fall to the ground and the trees become dormant. Over time, those leaves on the ground start to shrink and turn brown. Then, they dry up. Why? It is all because the leaf is not receiving or making water or nutrients. When a leaf is attached to a tree …
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How Do Plants Know When To Grow?
Plants know when to grow because of the change in temperature. As spring approaches, there will be an increase in temperature because the Earth is tilted towards the Sun. The temperature change is very noticeable for animals and plants too! When the seed or dormant plant senses that the temperature is increasing, it starts sprouting …
Episode 83: Ocean Waves and Tides!
The oceans are full of roaring waves and moving tides!! You may have surfed of waves and watched the tide go in and out. But, have you ever wondered about the science behind these ocean movements? Akshay wonders that as well on his trip to the beach. Grab your swim gear because we are taking …
What Is Biofuel?
Biofuel is a form of renewable fuel that is made from recently lifeless or now living biological material (living things). Humans can convert plants and animal waste into energy that we can use. Biofuel is considered a renewable resource because we can always grow more plants and trees! Crops, like corn and sugar cane, can …
How Does Photosynthesis Work?
Photosynthesis is the process of taking sunlight and Carbon dioxide and making it into Oxygen gas and sugar! The word “photo” means light. Photosynthesis is used by green plants, algae, and bacteria. That helps the bacteria, plants, or algae make food for themselves. Photosynthesis also made our Oxygen atmosphere! These organisms use a part of their …
What Are Viruses?
A virus is infectious object that depends on living organisms’ cells to multiply. They are bad for living organisms and take over cells. Viruses infect a body and travel to a cell and inject it’s DNA code into the cell which will make the virus multiply and will destroy the cell. This is how viruses make us …
What Is The Differences Between Solids and Liquids?
A solid has the atoms packed tightly together, without any gaps. Solids have a definite size and shape. The solid state of matter is very common in the universe. The atoms make the solid positively charged (more protons) or negatively charged (more electrons). Electrons and protons are even smaller parts of atoms. When solids heat …
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What Causes Sea-Level Rise?
Sea-level rise is when the ice caps of the Earth make the ocean waters rise. The ice caps of the Earth are the North and South poles. Because of Climate Change, when the Earth gets hotter, the ice melts and flows into the ocean. When ice melts, it becomes water. When that extra water makes …
What Is The Visible Light Spectrum?
The Visible Light Spectrum is all of the colors in white light! White light from the Sun and the lights in your house has all of the colors of the Rainbow! The Visible Light Spectrum contains the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. The Visible Light Spectrum is not a thing you …
Episode 82: The Science of Slime!
Slime is something that you can make at home or buy at the story! It is gooey and has some strange properties. Have you ever wondered about what slime really is and how it gets these weird properties? Akshay wonders the same thing after making his own slime!! Get ready because we are diving straight …
What Is Liquid Nitrogen and What Is It Used For?
Nitrogen (N) is a gas that makes up 64% of the air that we breathe! Liquid Nitrogen is the Nitrogen gas that has been supercooled. That means that the gas got cold and turned into a liquid. When that happens, we get a boiling liquid that is – 196 °C (- 320 °F)! That is …
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Why Do Onions Make Us Cry?
When we cut onions, they make us produce tears. The onion has developed this defense to defend it from predators that might try to eat it! Each tiny cell of an onion has a sealed blob within it containing a chemical the onion makes. This chemical is called an enzyme. Enzymes are very useful, natural …
What Is Dry Ice Made Out Of?
Dry ice is not just regular ice, it is special! Dry ice is the solid or frozen form of Carbon Dioxide. This means that the gas called Carbon Dioxide was frozen in sub-zero temperatures. It is almost 5 times colder than water ice! Dry ice can result in serious frostbite, so wear hand protection while handling …
How Do Markers Work?
Markers can be permanent, easily rubbed off, and even have lots of scents! Markers bring color to our world. But, all of the action is actually happening inside of the marker. Inside that plastic tube is an absorbent material. This holds the ink that gives each marker its color. The ink itself is made of a …
What Are The 3 Types of Tears?
Tears are water that come from our eyes. But, there are actually different types of tears: basal, emotional, and reflex. Basal tears keep your eyes from drying out. They supply nutrients and water to the outer parts of the eye. When there is dust, hair, or other debris in your eyes, basal tears flush them …
How Does Hair Grow?
Hair is a strand of string protein that grows out of hair follicles or tiny sacs in your skin. Hair is made up of keratin, the same material your fingernails are made out of. Hair grows through a process of cells dividing and getting pushed out of the follicle. This causes a strand of cells …
Episode 81: Skin! Our Body’s Protection
Skin protects our bodies from the outside world. But, there is so much more inside of your skin! In this episode, Akshay explores the different layers of skin and how they play a role in protecting our bodies. This episode is all about the anatomy of skin! Please follow/subscribe to Spectacular Science! Learn how to …
How Does Popcorn Pop?
Popcorn is a delicious snack that is portable and customizable! But, how does popcorn actually pop? It is all because of pressure. Inside of a kernel of popcorn, there is a small amount of water. This is why popcorn needs to maintain a certain level of moisture. As the water in the kernel heats up, …
What Are The Layers of a Tree’s Bark?
Just like an onion, there are many layers to a tree’s bark. The 5 main layers are the outer bark, inner bark (phloem), cambium cell layer, sapwood, and heartwood. The outer bark is the tree’s first line of defense from rain, extreme temperatures, and insects. It is always renewed by the inner bark, which is …
What Is Glue Made Of?
Glue is any liquids that can be applied to a surface and harden over time. Glue can be used for crafts, construction, or even surgery! Different types of glue are used for different purposes. Organic glue is made out of organic compounds, but we are going to focus on synthetic glue. Synthetic glue, which is …
How Do Tectonic Plates On Earth Move?
They move thanks to convection currents. Convection currents all start with density. Density is how much “stuff” (atoms and molecules) that are packed into one thing. If something has a high density, all of the atoms and molecules are close together and will sink. If something has a low density, the atoms and molecules are …
How Do Tides Work?
Tides are when ocean water moves up and down the coast. There is high tide and low tide. High tide is when the water moves up the coast or advances. Low tide is when the water moves down the coast or recedes. Tides are caused by the Sun and the Moon, but mostly the Moon. …
What Is An Asteroid?
Asteroids are small and rocky objects that orbit around the Sun. They are smaller than planets, but are pretty big. There are lots of asteroids in our solar system. Most of them live in the main asteroid belt, a region between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Asteroids are left over from the formation of the …
Episode 80: Comets!
It’s time to look up in the night sky! In this episode, Akshay explores the science behind comets! Comets are giant “dirty snowballs” that orbit around stars. We will learn about what comets are, what the parts of comets are, and comet mysteries in this episode! Don’t forget to grab your telescope and stargazing gear!! …
What Is The Mid-Atlantic Ridge?
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a divergent tectonic plate boundary that is on the ocean floor. A divergent boundary is when two tectonic plates move apart from each other. In this case, the plates are the South American Plate and the African Plate. As those plates pull apart, magma from below the Earth’s crust rises up …
How Does Hydroelectricity Work?
Hydroelectricity or hydropower is a way of harnessing water in order to make electricity! This is a renewable source of power. Renewable resources are resources that can be replaced and do not run out. Renewable means that we can constantly renew or make/get more of these resources. They can be replaced in a human lifetime …
How Do Pencils Work?
Pencil tips are made out of graphite. Graphite molecules are flat groups of carbon atoms that are stacked in layers. If you were to zoom in on the graphite, the graphite would be organized in flat sheets. Those flat sheets make the graphite weaker and makes the graphite break into tiny bits. When you write …
What Are Warm-Blooded Animals?
Warm-blooded animals always have a fixed body temperature and is always different from the outside temperature. Most warm-blooded animals are vertebrates. Vertebrates are animals with a backbone. The backbone is also known as the vertebrate! The backbone is a row of connected bones that run down the back. Vertebrates animals make up only 5% of …
What Are Cold-Blooded Animals?
Cold-blooded animals are animals that rely on the outdoor temperature to determine their own body temperature. Most cold-blooded animals are invertebrates. Invertebrates are animals without a backbone. That means that they are the opposite of vertebrate animals. Invertebrates make up 95% if the Earth’s animals! Some invertebrates have a hard covering on the outside of …
How Do Ocean Waves Form?
Waves are created by energy passing through water, causing it to move in a circular motion. However, water does not actually travel in waves. Waves transmit energy, not water, across the ocean and if not obstructed by anything. Ocean waves are most commonly caused by wind. Wind-driven waves, or surface waves, are created by the friction …
Episode 79: Atoms and Molecules!
If you were to zoom in on anything around you, you would see tiny building blocks called atoms and molecules! Atoms and molecules make up everything in this universe from wood, to people, to air! In this episode, Akshay explores the science behind these tiny building blocks of the universe. Please follow/subscribe to Spectacular Science! …
What Is Rubber?
Rubber is a natural product, produced by plants, and is used in many of the things we use every day! Rubber is a type of polymer. Polymers are certain materials that have atoms that are bonded together in a link pattern. Atoms are the tiny building blocks of all elements. When atoms bond together, like …
What Is Camouflage In Animals?
Instead of standing out in a crowd, some animals like to blend in with their surroundings. That is called camouflage! Camouflage is used by animals to hide from predators and to catch prey. There are different types of camouflage. The first is concealing color. This means that the animal is the same color as the …
What Are Black Holes?
A black hole is a place in space that is extremely dense and has a strong gravitational pull. This is because a lot of matter has been squeezed into a tiny space. This usually happens when a star is dying. Black holes can suck in entire stars and planets! Black holes can be from the …
What Is Yeast?
Yeast is a eukaryote, a living thing, like us, and is a type of fungi. The cool thing about yeast is that it is a unicellular organism, or single-celled, but it has characteristics and can be compared to multicellular organisms like us humans. Yeast is definitely a living thing since it has the properties of …
What Is Deforestation?
Deforestation is when people cut down large areas of forests. These trees are cut down in a way called clearcutting. Clearcutting is when all of the trees in the area are completely gone. This can be done for new buildings, roads, logging, or farmland. Clearcutting and deforestation in general can be very bad for the …
What Causes Smog?
Smog is a type of air pollution that usually blankets cities. The word smog comes from the mixture of smoke and fog. Smog usually happens when pollutants like Carbon dioxide and Nitrous oxide go into the atmosphere. These gases are not visible, but can still impact humans and plants. What makes smog visible is due …
Episode 78: Gecko-Inspired Robot! – With Dane Brouwer
Akshay is curious about how geckos can walk on glass! Then, he discovers that some scientists have actually built a robot that is inspired by gecko feet! In this episode, Akshay talks to Mr. Dane Brouwer, from Stanford University, about farmHand, a gecko robot hand! Join Akshay and Mr. Brouwer as they talk about the …
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What Are Severe Thunderstorms?
Thunderstorms are storms with cumulonimbus or storm clouds. The clouds have water inside of them and the water pours down on the ground below. Thunderstorms can also have heavy winds. Lightning and thunder are the main things in thunderstorms. First, we have to start off with a storm cloud. Tiny pieces of ice, which are …
Why Do Objects Slow Down?
It is all because of friction. Friction is a force that happens when two or more objects are rubbed together. This can break the object, generate heat, or make sounds. Friction is a force that blocks the movement. That is why remote control cars can’t drive well on carpet. When there is too much friction, …
What Are The Ways Moons Can Form?
A moon is a natural satellite that orbits around a larger object like a planet. A natural satellite is different from a human made satellite because natural satellites are produced naturally. Moons usually have a stable orbit. This means that the rate of which the moon circles around the planet is just the right speed. …
What Is Land Pollution?
Land pollution is when humans spill or throw things that are not natural on the land. This can cause harm. Many people litter on land which can be toxic to plants and animals. Humans also dump toxic chemicals onto land. That means that other animals, plants, and even humans can get affected by it. Land …
What Is Water Pollution?
Water pollution is when humans dump trash and harmful or toxic chemicals into waterways like oceans, streams, rivers, and ponds. This trash and chemicals can cause problems for marine life. This trash can also come back to humans! When humans drink water, the water may be polluted! This is also a very big problem in …
What Is Air Pollution?
Air pollution is when humans put toxic chemicals or smoke into the air. This can make our air dirty. This can lead to breathing problems for humans and other animals. Plants can also be harmed because the air that they bring in is not clean. This is a very big problem in big cities and …
Episode 77: How Do Flamingos Stand On One Leg? – With Dr. Young-Hui Chang
Have you ever wondered how flamingos can stand or even sleep on one leg? Akshay wonders this same exact thing when he tries to balance on one leg! Akshay visits Dr. Young-Hui Chang, a professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology who studies movement in animals. Join Akshay and Dr. …
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What Conditions Have To Be Met To Snow?
The white, powdery precipitation called snow is a winter’s delight! It falls from the sky as snowflakes. One condition is the temperature. It has to be below freezing or below 32°F or 0°C. This freezing temperature makes the water in the atmosphere freeze and turn into snowflakes! The other condition is atmospheric lift. This is …
What Are Reptiles?
Reptiles are cold-blooded vertebrate (has a backbone) animals. Reptiles are ectothermic, meaning that they rely on the Sun’s energy to heat them up and match the temperature in the air around them. When it is cold outside, reptiles become more inactive in order to maintain a body temperature and are very active when it warms …
What Are Amphibians?
Amphibians are a group of animals that live part of their lives in water and part on land! They are cold-blooded, small invertebrates that need water or a moist environment to survive. Amphibians include frogs, toads, newts, salamanders, and caecilians. They depend on the sun for warmth because they are ectothermic. Ectothermic means that they …
What Are Mirrors?
Mirrors are sheets of aluminum or silver that are coated in glass. Mirrors work using reflection. Reflection is a property of light. This is when light bounces off a surface. Did you know that every time you see something, light is reflecting off the thing you are looking at! Light can bounce off smooth surfaces …
What Is The Difference Between Air and Water Pressure?
Right now, as you are reading this, there are tons of air pushing down on you. That is air pressure. As you might know, the Earth is covered with a blanket of gases. That is called the atmosphere. The air from the atmosphere takes up space, so it has mass (weight). The more atmosphere above …
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What Are The 4 Forces of Flight?
The four forces of flight are lift, drag, thrust, and weight. They all work together to help an airplane fly. Lift is when the air temperature and pressure differs on different sides of the wing. That causes the plane to lift into the air and fly! The force pulling the plane backwards is called drag. …
Episode 76: Welcome to Season 4 – Light!
We are starting off Season 4 of Spectacular Science with a really bright episode! This episode is all about light! Light makes our world bright and helps animals and plants survive! In this episode, Akshay explores the science of the visible light around us. Please follow/subscribe to Spectacular Science! Learn how to follow this podcast …
What Is Evapotranspiration?
Evapotranspiration is the process of evaporation and transpiration combined. Evaporation is when water evaporates from the ground. This is when the sunlight heats the water and turns it into a gas called water vapor. As the sunlight heats up the water, the molecules get farther apart and start to turn into a gas or water …
What Are The Parts of An Atom?
Atoms are the microscopic building blocks of the universe. They make up almost ANY material including solids, liquids, and gases! A human has more than 1 billion atoms! Atoms have specific parts. There is the nucleus, which is the center of the atom. Then, there are even smaller parts. They are protons, neutrons, and electrons! …
What Is Adhesion of Water?
Adhesion is a property that water has. Adhesion means that water molecules like to “stick” to other water molecules and other things. That is actually why water forms in round drops! Adhesion also makes water more vulnerable to pollution because water sticks to many materials. Adhesion also helps plant suck up water from the ground. …
How Do We Smell?
The human sense of smell is really complex! It’s not just your nose: it is actually a combination of your brain and your nose cells working together. It all starts with air. The air has a lot of smell molecules floating in it. When the air enters your nose, the different molecules activate special smell …
How Is Glass Made?
Glass is a transparent material used in plates, cups, windows, and even art! Glass is made from natural raw materials such as sand and limestone. Those materials are melted down into molten material. That is done using a kiln which is super hot!! The molten glass is now cooling fast, so they reheat the glass …
What Are Natural Plastics?
Natural plastics are any natural material that has the polymer structure. That is a structure that has a chain of molecules. Natural plastics were used before human-made plastics were invented. Natural plastics are formed with the polymer structure. Examples of these natural plastics are rubber, skin, bones, and even DNA. Rubber from rubber trees were …
How Do Planets Orbit Around The Sun?
An orbit is a circular path around a bigger object. When a planet, like Earth orbits the Sun, it is going in circles. An orbit is caused by the gravitational pull of an object. A big object, like the Sun or other stars, have a stronger gravitational pull. Since there are smaller objects (planets) around …
What Causes Seasons?
Seasons are different climate patterns that happen throughout different times in a year! Places on Earth experience seasons at different times. Some seasons are noticeable and others are not. We have seasons because the Earth is slightly tilted on it’s axis. An axis is an imaginary rod going from the top to the bottom where …
Why Does The Sun Rise and Set?
The Sun rises and sets because of Earth’s rotation. The Earth and the planets orbit the Sun, but they also spin on their own axis,. The axis is the point from which the planet rotates on. Earth’s axis is tilted, which is what makes seasons! When the Earth spins, different sides of the planet experience …
Recycling! Start 2022 With Something Good for Earth
Happy New Year! Welcome to 2022! Recycling is the process of making used or old things into new things. Recycling usually happens with some plastics, glass, and paper. They melt/shred the materials and make new objects out of them. Recycling reuses the material and shapes it into new objects that can be used again! Recycling …
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What Are Snowflakes?
The first snow of the season is really exciting! The snow piles up on the ground, making so many possibilities for fun, from building snowmen to having a snowball fight!! But, if you look closely at the snow under your feet, you will see that it is made up of even smaller parts called snowflakes. …
Membership Sneak Peek! – The Fact of the Day
In this blog post, you will be getting a sneak peek of what the Spectacular Science Membership members get every day! It is the Fact of the Day!! Start your day with a mind-blowing science fact that will make you say “WOW”! You can sign up for the free membership to get the Fact of …
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What Is Mount Everest?
Located on the border of Tibet and Nepal, Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world. It reaches a height of 8,848 meters above sea level, which is equal to the height of 5.5 miles! Mount Everest was formed because of converging tectonic plates. Tectonic plates are giant slabs of rock that move. Tectonic plates make up the curst, the thinnest …
What Are Glaciers?
Glaciers are large moving rivers of ice. Glaciers form when snow is compressed into a large object that is made of ice. This only happens where the temperature doesn’t reach high enough for the snow and ice to melt completely. Glaciers take hundreds of years to form because the snow has to pile up over …
What Is The Milky Way?
The Milky Way is a galaxy. Galaxies are large collections of stars, planets, asteroids, comets, and other space material like gases and dust held together by gravity. The Milky Way is the name of the galaxy that we live in. There are millions of more stars, planets, and other space debris in the Milky Way! …
How Do Electric Stoves Work?
Electric stoves are now used in place of gas stoves because they can heat things more evenly. Electric stoves used electricity to heat up and cook food. When you turn the stove on, the electricity flows through metal coils that are either exposed or under the cooking surface (if you have a glass ceramic surface). …
All About the North Pole – The Arctic!
When you talk about the North Pole, it can mean the North Magnetic Pole or the North Geographic Pole. In this post, we are going to focus on the North Geographic Pole. That is the point on Earth where all the lines of longitude meet to form a single point. The North Pole is located …
How Does Hand Sanitizer Work?
Hand sanitizer is a quick and easy way to disinfect your hands. It kills bacteria and viruses that might make you sick, right on your hands! But, hand sanitizer doesn’t get rid of all bacteria and viruses, so if there is a sink around, you should wash your hands instead of just going to hand …
Why Is Plastic Used In So Many Things?
Plastic is a type of polymer, or a chain of atoms and molecules. That chain pattern gives plastic some amazing abilities! They are flexible because the chains of atoms can be twisted or turned in many different shapes, sometimes even when the object is a solid! It is moldable (or easy to twist into different …
The Moon Changes Colors! How?
This happens during Lunar Eclipses. A Lunar Eclipse is when the Moon moves into the Earth’s shadow. The Sun is shining on the Earth and the Moon is behind the Earth. The Moon can appear to change color sometimes when it is a total Lunar Eclipse. The Moon only APPEARS to change color on Earth. …
Episode 75: Season 3 Finale! – How Do Lightbulbs Work?
This is our Season 3 Finale and our last episode of 2021! In this episode, Akshay is exploring the science behind something that we use everyday but don’t really notice, lightbulbs! Lightbulbs light up our world! Akshay is exploring three types of lightbulbs today: incandescent lights, fluorescent lights, and LED lights. This episode is going …
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How Do Humans Harness The Earth’s Energy?
Deep inside of the Earth, there is a lot of energy stored. The Earth’s mantle is super hot, meaning that is has a lot of energy in it! But, how do humans harness that energy for electricity? They make geothermal electricity. Geothermal power is a renewable source of making electricity. It harnesses the heat from …
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What Are Sound Waves?
Sound Waves are what sound travels in! They are little vibrations of air that travel through a medium or a material that it is travelling through. Sound Waves are why you can hear a jackhammer or my podcast!! First, an object or person has to make a sound. A sound is made by an object …
How Do Incandescent Lights Work?
Incandescent lights were the first type of lightbulb to be created. They are different from LED Lights. Read our post about LED Lights to learn more! Incandescent lights work with using the heat and light that is produced when electricity flows through things. Inside of incandescent lights, there is a small part called a filament. …
Density!
Density is the amount of “stuff” (molecules and atoms) that are packed into one space. Objects’ density can be found by dividing the mass (weight) of an object by the volume (space it takes up) of an object. Density is measured in grams per milliliter (g/mL). If something has to float on water, than the density …
What Are Convection Currents?
Convection currents are the movement of hot and cold things. Convection currents all start with density. Density is how much “stuff” (atoms and molecules) that are packed into one thing. If something has a high density, all of the atoms and molecules are close together and will sink. If something has a low density, the …
What Is Oxygen?
Oxygen or O2 is a chemical found in the universe. Humans need Oxygen to survive. Oxygen is in our atmosphere and the air that we breathe!! Oxygen helps the animals on this planet survive. Oxygen is a building block of so many elements like Water, or even Carbon Monoxide. Oxygen can be useful for things like …
Episode 74: How Are Fossils Formed?
Ever wondered how those giant fossils of dinosaurs are formed? That is what Akshay is exploring today! Get ready because this episode takes you back in time and under the soil. The process in which fossils are formed is a really complex and interesting process!! Join us next episode for the Season 3 Finale!! We …
What Are Chemical Reactions?
Chemical reactions are when two or more materials combine to make a new material! The two materials usually react with each other, producing that new material. A great example is when you mix baking soda and vinegar to make Carbon dioxide gas! There are a few ways to tell if something is a chemical reactions. …
How Do Electromagnets Work?
Magnetism is an invisible force that attracts or repels certain objects. Magnets attract or repel things made out of iron, nickel, and cobalt. Objects are magnetic because the electrons, which spin around an atom’s nucleus, are spinning in the same direction (they are all lined up). The spinning electrons create an invisible magnetic field, which …
Why Is It Hotter During The Summer?
The Sun is the center of the Solar System. The Sun is a star, just like all of the tiny glowing dots you see in the sky at night. The Sun is the closest star to Earth and all of the planets in the Solar System. Here in the Northern hemisphere of the Earth, it’s …
Why Is The Arctic Shrinking?
The Arctic, or the North Pole is actually shrinking! It’s ice thickness has reduced by 80% since 1980 and is rapidly reducing in size. This is all because of the rise in global temperatures due to Climate Change. Climate Change is when greenhouse gases like Carbon dioxide and Methane go into Earth’s atmosphere and trap …
How Do Telescopes Work?
Telescopes are devices that let people see things that are far away. People at sea also use telescopes. Telescopes are most commonly used to look at space. The inventor of the telescopes was Galileo Galilei. He invented the telescope with eyeglass parts. Telescopes work using light. Light is everywhere! The telescope has two mirrors. They …
How Do Our Eyes Work?
We use our eyes every day to see the world around us! Our eyes are the parts of our body that help us see. When we see things, what we’re actually seeing is the light that is being reflected by that object. For example, when you are looking at a yellow pencil, the yellow light …
Episode 73: How Do We Make Memories?
Everyone has memories! They have memories of their childhood, vacations, and even someone’s name! But, how do we actually create, store, and recall those memories? That is what Akshay is exploring today! Akshay is looking at his baby photo album and wonders about how memories are created and how we remember or even forget them! …
How Can Some Animals See In The Dark?
Some animals, like lizards and snakes, can see in the dark! This is something that only a few animals can really do. These animals can see as well in the dark as they do during the day! They are able to do this because of the structure of their eyes. Eyes are made up of …
How Do LED Lights Work?
LED stands for Light-Emitting Diode! LED lights work because the jumping of electrons creates photons, or light. Electrons, which make up electricity, jump from an electron full side to an electron lacking side across a junction or connector. When the power is applied to the junction, the electron lacking side wants to be filled up …
What Is REM Sleep?
REM Sleep or Rapid Eye Movement Sleep is a very important stage for human health. REM sleep is the stage when your brain is active, dreams occur, and your eyes move back and forth rapidly under your eyelids. During this stage, your brain is very active! The brain organizes information it learned the past day in a …
Blowing on Flames! Why They Go Out
Blowing out birthday candles on a cake is an old tradition. But why does the candle go out when you blow on it? That happens for 3 different reasons. One is that your breath pushes away all of the Oxygen gas. Your breath is mostly made out of Carbon dioxide. The Carbon dioxide pushes away …
How Do Rocks Form?
Rocks are collections of minerals and sediment. They can form in many different ways, but we are going to focus on three of the ways. The first is cooling magma. Magma from deep in Earth’s mantle flows up to the surface and solidifies as it cools down. That makes igneous rock. The next way rocks …
What Does Our Heart Do?
The heart is a part of your body that pumps blood around your body. This helps all of your other body parts like your brain function. The heart also regulates the Blood Pressure (BP). If the Blood Pressure is high, that means you are exercising a lot at the moment. If your Blood Pressure is …
Episode 72: How Continents Move!
If you look at the map of the world, you see seven continents. But, millions of years ago, you would actually see a giant supercontinent called Pangaea!! How do the continents move? Akshay is curious about that too! Join Akshay on an adventure to find our how continents move! We now have an exclusive membership …
What is Lead Contamination?
Lead (pronounced l-e-d) contamination is when Lead, a poisonous chemical gets into the water that we drink or take baths in. Water can dissolve materials very easily. This is bad because Lead in our pipes leaks into the water. Some pipes that bring water into our homes are made out of Lead. Normally, that is …
What Are The Layers of the Earth?
Believe it or not, the Earth has layers just like an onion! Let’s start at the top. The part we walk on is called the crust. It is a thin layer that harbors life. Next, is the mantle. This layer is underneath the crust. Lot’s of minerals form in this area including diamonds and emeralds. …
The Steps in Which Stars Are Formed!
Stars are giant balls of gas in space. The stars are very hot! They can be up to 800,000 degrees Fahrenheit! Our own Sun is also a star. It supplies us with light and heat. Stars take millions of years to form. We will explore the steps in which stars are formed! Scientists have observed …
What Are Galaxies?
Galaxies are large collections of stars, planets, asteroids, comets, and other space material like gases and dust. Stars are giant balls of gas in space. The stars are very hot! They can be up to 800,000 degrees Fahrenheit! Our own Sun is also a star. It supplies us with light and heat. Stars take millions …
How Can Sounds Be Loud or Soft?
Sound Waves are what sound travels in! They are little vibrations of air that travel through a medium or a material that it is travelling through. Sound Waves are why you can hear a jackhammer or my podcast!! Sound Waves work like this: First, an object or person has to make a sound. A sound is made …
Why Do Some People Have Pollen Allergies?
Pollen is a sticky substance that is found inside of most flowering plants. Pollen is in the middle of the flower of the plant. Pollen is attached to long structures called stamens and smaller structures called pistils. This pollen helps make new plants grow through a process called pollination. That is when pollen is transferred …
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Episode 71: Soap! How It Works
We use soap a lot, especially during this pandemic. Washing our hands with soap and water helps keep us safe from pesky viruses and bacteria, but also gets rid of dirt. But, how does soap work in the first place? That is what Akshay is exploring today! Join Akshay on an adventure to discover how …
What Is A Circuit?
A circuit is a path that current electricity or electrons can flow through. Current electricity is a type of human-made electricity. A simple circuit is made out of four parts: the power source, wires, the load, and a switch A simple circuit works by electrons, which are negatively charged, exit from the negative terminal of …
What Are Magnetic Domains?
Magnetism is an invisible force that attracts or repels certain objects. Magnets attract or repel things made out of iron, nickel, and cobalt. Objects are magnetic because the electrons, which spin around an atom’s nucleus, are spinning in the same direction (they are all lined up). The spinning electrons create an invisible magnetic field, which …
How Do Earthquakes Happen?
Earthquakes are energy that is released in the tectonic plate boundaries. Tectonic plates are giant slabs of rock that move around! The crust (outermost layer of the Earth) is made up of these tectonic plates. These tectonic plates can get stuck. When they do this, lots of pressure builds up. Kind of like when you …
How Are Mountains Formed?
Mountains are tall slabs of rock that pop up on the crust. Mountains can be very tall or very small, depending on how they are formed. Mountains can form because of magma cooling or tectonic plate movement. We are going to tell you about both! Mountains can form in two main ways: magma cooling and …
How Do Mirrors Work?
Light is a type of energy that is made up of tiny particles called photons. These photons can zip around the universe at very high speeds! The speed of light is the ultimate universe speed limit, up to 180,000 miles per second! Light is one of the main sources of life on Earth! Light has …
How Do Airplanes and Helicopters Fly?
Airplanes are machines that can fly with engine or propeller power. They are able to use aerodynamics (how air and objects move) to fly. Airplanes make it so that we can travel around the world in just a few hours! Airplanes can coke in all shapes and sizes like the tiny airplanes that you see …
Episode 70: The Science of Smell with Dr. Rachel Herz!
Have you ever wondered how we smell? Akshay wonders about the same thing while he smells things around the kitchen! That is why Akshay visits Dr. Rachel Herz, a neuroscientist and an expert on the psychology of smell. Join Akshay and Dr. Herz on an adventure to find out how we actually smell! Dr. Herz …
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What is Steam?
Steam is the vapor that we see when water evaporates or turns from a liquid to a gas. When this happens, the molecules of water drift farther and farther apart from each other. That makes a gas. Steam, or water vapor, is only made up of tiny bits of water. The water boils and gets …
What Are The Building Blocks of Soil?
Soil is just rock that has been weathered. Weathering is when wind, water, or other natural agent wears away at rock. This take millions of years to happen. As the wind or water etches away at the rock, the pieces of soil or rock that come off get carried to someplace new. Soil is not …
What Are The Properties of Light?
Light is a type of energy that is made up of tiny particles called photons. These photons can zip around the universe at very high speeds! The speed of light is the ultimate universe speed limit, up to 180,000 miles per second! Light is one of the main sources of life on Earth! Light has …
What Are Molecules?
Molecules are connections or bonds between atoms. Atoms are the microscopic building blocks of the universe. They make up almost ANY material including solids, liquids, and gases! A human has more than 1 billion atoms! Atoms have specific parts. There is the nucleus, which is the center of the atom. Then, there are even smaller …
How Does It Rain Diamonds On Uranus and Neptune?
You might think that it only rains diamonds in fairy tales or movies, but it turns out that it actually rains diamonds on Uranus and Neptune! These diamonds fall towards the cores of these planets! These diamonds are not the size of ring diamonds, they are the size of BOULDERS!!!! How in the universe does …
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How Do Sinkholes Form?
Sinkholes are large holes in the ground that form when water seeps into the ground. Limestone, a type of rock can dissolve very easily in water. As the water seeps into the cracks on the ground, it dissolves the limestone rock under the surface. The limestone becomes weak and creates a hole under all of …
Episode 69: Hair!
Hair, hair, hair! All around us! We have hair and animals have hair. But, what is hair made out of and how does it keep growing? Akshay is getting a haircut and wonders the same thing! Hold onto your hair because you are going to go on a wild adventure, finding out what hair is …
How Do Birds Fly?
Bird wings are shaped in a unique way, so that they create pressure differential or tiny tornadoes on their wings. When birds want to fly, the pressure is greater on the bottom of the wing and when the bird wants to land, the pressure above the wing is higher. This is kind of like how …
Hurricanes! What They Are
Hurricanes are a group of storm clouds that create a very dangerous storm. If you see a hurricane from space, you will see a giant swirling cloud. Hurricanes can bring heavy rain, wind, and sometimes minor tornadoes. Hurricanes are formed when storm clouds form over warm water. As the storm clouds move, the warm water …
What is Bernoulli’s Principle?
Daniel Bernoulli was a famous scientist and discovered or property or principle of fluids and air. The thing that Bernoulli discovered that… Fast moving air creates an area of low pressure Bernoulli’s Principle Pressure is how much air is pushing down on an object. The area of low pressure means that the air will be …
What is Acid Rain?
Acid rain is rain that has pollutants in it. It usually has air pollutants inside of it. Air pollution is when humans put toxic chemicals or smoke into the air. This can make our air dirty. This can lead to breathing problems for humans and other animals. Plants can also be harmed because the air …
How Do Fireworks Work?
Today is Diwali, also known as The Festival of Lights! People light fireworks and sparklers to celebrate! In this post, we are looking at a specific type of firework: the aerial firework! Aerial fireworks are the fireworks that you see launched into the sky! They are usually fired using rockets and mortars. These fireworks create …
What Are Bacteria?
Bacteria are single-celled organisms or living things. They are also called microorganisms. They are called this because microorganisms are living things that can not be seen with the naked eye. Bacteria can be good for you or bad for you. We are going to learn about the good and bad about bacteria. Bacteria can help …
Episode 68: How Do Plants Produce Food From Sunlight? All About Photosynthesis
We all think that plants are just sitting there, but there is so much going on inside and around the plant! Today, we are going to focus on plants making their won food. Plants don’t go to the grocery store to buy food and they definitely do not order food delivery, so how do they …
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What Are The 4 Types of Precipitation?
Precipitation is part of the water cycle. Precipitation is when the liquid water falls to the ground. This happens when a cloud becomes heavy and all the water will fall to the ground. There are three different types of precipitation. Rain, snow, sleet, and hail. We are going to talk about each of them! Rain is …
Halloween Special Experiment!! Expanding Jack-O-Lantern!
Today, October 31st, is Halloween! We decorate our homes with spooky and fun decorations, go out trick or treating, and count all of the candy you got! In this blog post, we will be making our own expanding Jack-O-Lantern using science! Materials You Will Need: An orange balloon A permanent marker Empty and clean plastic …
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How Does The Volume of Thunder Change?
Thunder happens because of lightning. Here is how lightning happens: First, we have to start off with a storm cloud. Tiny pieces of ice, which are actually frozen water droplets, clash around inside of the storm cloud. This clashing makes an electric charge that is then stored inside of the cloud. The positively charged electricity …
What Are Invertebrate Animals?
Invertebrates are animals without a backbone. That means that they are the opposite of vertebrate animals. Invertebrates make up 95% if the Earth’s animals! Some invertebrates have a hard covering on the outside of their bodies called an exoskeleton. Besides that, invertebrates are usually creatures that do not have bones as a support. Invertebrates are …
What Are Vertebrate Animals?
Vertebrates (pronounced ver-ti-brates) are animals with a backbone. The backbone is also known as the vertebrate! The backbone is a row of connected bones that run down the back. Vertebrates animals make up only 5% of all of the animals on Earth. Besides having a backbone, vertebrate animals have a skeleton with bones as a …
What Is Neon?
Neon (Ne) is a colorless and odorless gas that makes up 18% of the air that we breathe! Neon is a noble gas, which means that it does not mix well with other elements. Neon has specific power. It produces light! Neon signs produce a red glow. The signs are still used today, but they …
Episode 67: Wind!
Wind can range from a gentle breeze to intense storms like hurricanes! Wind can be very powerful. But, how does wind form in the first place? That is what we’re uncovering in this episode. Join Akshay on a windy adventure as he explores what wind is and the formation of wind. Hold onto your hats, …
How Do Cars Work?
Cars move thanks to the Internal Combustion Engine. The Internal Combustion Engine is a real mouthful to say. The Internal Combustion Engine is a mechanism found in trucks, cars, and some trains! The Internal Combustion engine, or I.C.E, helps the vehicle’s wheels move. First, a little bit of gasoline or diesel is put inside a …
How Does Water Evaporate?
Water, or H20, is a liquid that is found all over the Earth! Water can be in different states of matter: solids, liquids, and gases. Water vapor, or steam, is in the gas state of matter. When water is a liquid, the molecules in the water are flowing freely, but still have a definite size. …
How Are Sand Dunes Formed?
Have you ever seen a picture of a desert? Did the picture have these sand “waves”? Those wavy hill structures are called Sand Dunes. Sand Dunes are big hill-like piles of sand or soil that get blown by the wind or can be impacted by other living animals. Sand Dunes form when a powerful wind …
What Are River Deltas?
A River Delta is a type of wetland where a river flows into a larger body of water like an ocean or lake. Deltas can be different sizes. They can be between a 100 feet to 500 miles!! Delatas are some of most Biodiverse landforms! Biodiverse means that there is a variety of animal and …
What Are Asteroids?
Asteroids are small rocky objects that orbit the Sun. Asteroids are NOT planets. Asteroids come in all shapes and sizes and have irregular shapes. Asteroids can be made up of metal, rock, space dust, or even Carbon! Asteroids can be the size of a pebble, to the size of 5 football fields! Asteroids mostly orbit …
What is a Microphone?
A microphone is a device that makes sound waves into electrical signals. These electrical signals are stored inside of a computer or other recording device. I actually use a podcast microphone to record my podcast! The microphone’s signals can go to two places: (1) to a computer or other recording device or (2) a speaker …
Episode 66: Teeny-Tiny Planets! All About Dwarf Planets
We all know that we have 8 planets in our Solar System. But, did you know that we have so many other dwarf planets in the Solar System?? In this episode of Spectacular Science, Akshay discovers the science of dwarf planets! Get in your rocket ship and zip up your space suits, because we are …
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What is Hail?
Hail is a type of frozen precipitation. Precipitation is part of the water cycle. Precipitation is when the liquid water falls to the ground. This happens when a cloud becomes heavy and all the water will fall to the ground. There are three different types of precipitation. Rain, snow, sleet, and hail. We are going to …
What Are the Two Types of Weathering?
Weathering is the breaking down of rock by many natural agents like water, wind, and gravity. There are two types of weathering: Mechanical and Chemical Weathering. Mechanical Weathering is when rocks are broken down WITHOUT a chemical change. They are changing their physical properties. Mechanical weathering can split rocks in half and turn them into dust! …
What is The Rock Cycle?
The Rock Cycle is the transformation of rocks over time. The different types of rock that are in the cycle are metamorphic, sedimentary, and igneous. Igneous rocks are formed by the cooling of lava or magma, which is melted rock. This can happen outside of or inside of Earth’s crust. Sedimentary rocks are tiny pieces …
What is Soil?
Soil is just rock that has been weathered. Weathering is when wind, water, or other natural agent wears away at rock. This take millions of years to happen. As the wind or water etches away at the rock, the pieces of soil or rock that come off get carried to someplace new. Soil is not …
Why Is Water Important For Life?
Water is a substance that is found everywhere on Earth! It can be a solid, liquid, or gas. It is necessary for life on Earth. It’s chemical compound is H2O. That means two Hydrogen (H2) atoms and one Oxygen (O₂) atom. This bond is called a Water Molecule. Because of water pollution, the freshwater in the world …
What Happens When There Is A Short Circuit?
A circuit is a path that current electricity or electrons can flow through. Current electricity is a type of human-made electricity. A simple circuit is made out of four parts: the power source, wires, the load, and a switch! A simple circuit works by electrons, which are negatively charged, exit from the negative terminal of …
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Episode 65: All About Inventions!
All the things we have today like cars, computers, towels, soap, and concrete had to be invented! Inventions make our life easier and faster! Akshay really wants to invent something, so he talks to Dr. Shyamala Rajagopalan about inventions and how they are created! It makes my day to receive your show suggestions, questions, and …
What’s Inside Of A Leaf?
Inside of a leaf, there are passageways that water and nutrients can travel through, but the most important and dominant part of the leaves are the chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is made up of even smaller parts called chloroplasts. Chloroplasts have a green color to them. Leaves have chloroplast because they help the plant or tree collect …
Falling Leaves! Why Trees Loose Their Leaves and Go Dormant
Trees are living things, just like us. They are called organisms. You’ve seen that some trees lose all of their leaves in the fall and go dormant or in a resting stage in the winter. Only some trees do this weird behavior. We are going to find out why. Trees go dormant because the water …
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What Makes Something Magnetic?
Magnetism is an invisible force that attracts or repels certain objects. Magnets attract or repel things made out of iron, nickel, and cobalt. Magnets have 2 poles: a North and South pole. Like poles repel and unlike poles attract each other. Magnetic domains in a metal make that metal magnetic. Magnetic domains are tiny arrangements …
How Do Electrical Wires Transport Electricity?
This is because the material inside of the wires is a conductor. Conductors are materials that electrons can travel through easily. Conductors are usually made out of metals. Conductors are used in the electrical wiring itself! Humans are also conductors of electricity (that is very dangerous) That is why humans should wear insulators to protect themselves from …
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What is Friction?
Friction is a force that happens when two or more objects are rubbed together. This can break the object, generate heat, or make sounds. Friction is a force that blocks the movement. That is why remote control cars can’t drive well on carpet. When there is too much friction, the force builds up and gets …
Conservation of Natural Resources
A natural resource is any resource that occurs in nature that is used for survival, energy, or to make money for countries. Certain places on Earth have different types or different amounts of natural resources. These resources can be anything from coal to fruits to sunlight! These are only a few examples of natural resources …
Episode 64: Natural Resources!
Trees? Sunlight? Air? Iron? Coal? They are all natural resources! Natural resources are used all around us from our computers, to cars, and even electricity production! Natural resources make up most of the materials we use today for energy and construction. In this episode, Akshay discovers what natural resources are and they different types! It …
What is Magnetism?
Magnetism is an invisible force that attracts or repels certain objects. Magnets attract or repel things made out of iron, nickel, and cobalt. Objects are magnetic because the electrons, which spin around an atom’s nucleus, are spinning in the same direction (they are all lined up). The spinning electrons create an invisible magnetic field, which …
How Does Tidal Power Work?
Tidal power is a type of energy source that uses renewable materials. Renewable means that the natural resources is always there or takes a short amount of time to replace. Tidal power uses water! Tidal power is when the ocean tide powers a generator to generate electricity. Tide is the rise and fall of water …
How Do Wind Turbines Generate Electricity?
Wind is air that is moving at high speeds. It happens when warm and cool air rise and sink. That rising and sinking action makes the air move. Warm air rises and cold air sinks. There is this giant mass of air and wind called the Jet Stream. The Jet Stream is a system of …
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How Does Solar Energy Work?
Solar cells are a sheet filled with hundreds of tiny receptors that are sensitive to the Sun’s energy. The solar cells use these receptors (Photovoltaic Receptors) to create electricity with the Sun’s light. The photons in the Sun’s light knock off the electrons on existing atoms inside of the solar cell. That causes an electric …
Run-Off of Water
Run-off is when precipitation (snow, rain sleet, or hail) hits the ground and drains into rivers, lakes, and oceans. This run-off is what causes accumulations or build-ups of water. Run-off is also a cause of erosion, which can break down and carry rocks to different places. Millions of years ago, planet Earth did not really have rivers …
How Do Computers Work?
Computers are all around us. From our laptops to our everyday smartphones. A computer is an electronic device that reads and processes data. The father of a computer was Charles Babbage. He came up with the idea but never built it. He called it a tabulating engine. It was designed to do arithmetic or math …
Episode 63: Fossil Fuels!
If you look at energy resources around us, they are mostly coal, oil, and natural gas. They are used in cars, from factories, to stoves! But, how are these fuels made? On this episode, Akshay learns how fossil fuels, like oil and natural gas get created! We will also learn about the big fossil fuel …
The Season of Fall (Autumn)!
Fall or Autumn is a transition season between Summer and Winter. The temperature drops and the leaves on some trees fall off. That is why it is called the Fall season! During fall, the mornings can be cold and the evenings can be warmer. The temperatures do not drop below 0, but close to that …
How Do Lithium Ion Batteries Work?
Batteries provide portable, convenient sources of power without wires. It makes many mobile devices possible! Regular dry cell batteries are the most common, but lithium ion batteries are more reliable and rechargeable! That means that when the battery “dies”, you can recharge the battery! Lithium ion batteries work using the anode, cathode, and electrolyte. The anode …
Bacteria! Tiny Living Creatures
Bacteria are single-celled organisms or living things. They are also called microorganisms. They are called this because microorganisms are living things that can not be seen with the naked eye. Bacteria can be good for you or bad for you. We are going to learn about the good and bad about bacteria. Bacteria can help …
Soil!
Soil is just rock that has been eroded. Erosion is when wind, water, or other natural agent wears away at rock and takes it to a new place. This take millions of years to happen. As the wind or water etches away at the rock, the pieces of soil or rock that come off get …
Galaxies!
Galaxies are large collections of stars, planets, asteroids, comets, and other space material like gases and dust. Stars are giant balls of gas in space. The stars are very hot! They can be up to 800,000 degrees Fahrenheit! Our own Sun is also a star. It supplies us with light and heat. Stars take millions …
Sand!
Sand is just rock that has been eroded. Erosion is when wind, water, or other natural agent wears away at rock and takes it to a new place. This take millions of years to happen. As the wind or water etches away at the rock, the pieces of soil or rock that come off get …
Episode 62: How Do We Breathe?
You always breathe every day! But, have you ever stopped to notice how we breathe? We take breathing for granted, but on this episode, Akshay explores the science of the respiratory system, which helps us breathe! Don’t hold your breath, but this episode is all about breathing! Please contact us by going to www.spectacularsci.com/contact. We …
Dissolution: Happens Every Day!
Dissolution is when water or another liquid, known as a solvent, dissolves a material, called a solute. Liquids dissolve different materials because the liquids break down the materials and make them smaller. That’s why if you stir sugar in water, the sugar disappear. It doesn’t actually disappear, it just looks like it. The sugar is …
Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!!: Dry Ice vs. Liquid Nitrogen
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is…Dry Ice vs. Liquid Nitrogen! Remember, please send us what type of cooling agent you think is cooler by going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform-dryice-vs-liquidnitrogen/ and fill out our poll. Dry Ice Dry ice is not just regular ice, it is special! …
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How Do Cheetahs Run So Fast?
A cheetah is a mammal that mostly lives in the African Savanna. It is covered in spots and has black markings under its eyes. Cheetahs are in the genus or family Acinonyx. They are unlike big cats like tigers or lions because they do not have retractable claws that they can pull in. Their claws are …
How Are Moons Formed?
A moon is a natural satellite that orbits around a larger object like a planet. A natural satellite is different from a human made satellite because natural satellites are produced naturally. Moons usually have a stable orbit. This means that the rate of which the moon circles around the planet is just the right speed. …
How Are Planets Formed?
Planets are large objects that orbit or circle around a star, like the Sun! Planets can be made up of rocks and gases. Our Solar System is made out of 8 planets that are made up of either gas or rocks. Rocky planets are called terrestrial planets and gaseous planets are called gas giants. Planets …
How Are Auroras Formed?
Auroras are lights that are only found at the North Pole and the South Pole. They light up the night skies with red, blue, and pink colors! These are known as “The Greatest Light Show on Earth!”. Auroras happen because of “solar winds”. The Sun releases a bunch of highly charged particles called electrons in …
Episode 61: Pollution!
Akshay notices that outside of his lab, there is a lot of litter, trash that is on the ground. When Akshay goes outside to pick up the trash, he meets Mr. Santosh Chandru, an environmental engineer. On this episode, we are learning all about pollution from Mr. Chandru! You will even learn the part you …
Why Do Flames Go Out When You Blow On It?
Blowing out birthday candles on a cake is an old tradition. But why does the candle go out when you blow on it? That happens for 3 different reasons. One is that your breath pushes away all of the Oxygen gas. Your breath is mostly made out of Carbon dioxide. The Carbon dioxide pushes away …
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Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!!: Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Natural Resources
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is…Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Natural Resources! Remember, please send us what type of weathering you think is cooler by going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform and fill out our poll. Nonrenewable Natural Resources Nonrenewable resource are resources that can’t be replaced or take …
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Climate Change = Sea-Level Rise
Sea-level rise is when the ice caps of the Earth make the ocean waters rise. The ice caps of the Earth are the North and South poles. Because of Climate Change, when the Earth gets hotter, the ice melts and flows into the ocean. When ice melts, it becomes water. When that extra water makes …
5 Ways Rocks Can Weather
Weathering is when rocks get broken down into pieces. Weathering can happen in many different ways, from salt to clay to ice! We are going to focus on the 5 main ways: water, ice, salt crystallization, clay formation, and plant roots. To learn more about weathering, check out our episode about weathering! Weathering with water …
Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!!: Mechanical Weathering vs. Chemical Weathering
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is…Mechanical Weathering vs. Chemical Weathering! Remember, please send us what type of weathering you think is cooler by going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform and fill out our poll. What is Weathering? Weathering is the breaking down of rock by many natural …
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How Do Hurricanes Form?
Hurricanes are a group of storm clouds that create a very dangerous storm. If you see a hurricane from space, you will see a giant swirling cloud. Hurricanes can bring heavy rain, wind, and sometimes minor tornadoes. Hurricanes are formed when storm clouds form over warm water. As the storm clouds move, the warm water …
Episode 60: The Tumble Science Podcast For Kids With Lindsay Patterson!
On this episode, Akshay meets Lindsay Patterson, creator, producer, and host of the Tumble science podcast, in the “podcast neighborhood”. Lindsay and Marshall host the awesome Tumble podcast! Akshay runs into Lindsay and gets to know what the Tumble science podcast is! To listen to episodes and to learn more about this awesome show, head …
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The History of the Internet!
The Internet is what you are using right NOW to read this blog post! The Internet is a series of computers that are linked together. Today, millions of computers are linked together around the world! Internet can be accessed everywhere from your house, to your school, to your local library! Servers are computers that store …
Nonrenewable Natural Resources
A natural resource is any resource that occurs in nature that is used for survival, energy, or to make money for countries. Certain places on Earth have different types or different amounts of natural resources. These resources can be anything from coal to fruits to sunlight! Read our post about natural resources to learn more! …
Renewable Natural Resources
A natural resource is any resource that occurs in nature that is used for survival, energy, or to make money for countries. Certain places on Earth have different types or different amounts of natural resources. These resources can be anything from coal to fruits to sunlight! Read our post about natural resources to learn more! …
How Do Fuels From Inside The Earth Form Naturally?
Fossil fuels are a liquid that is very easy to burn. They are there fuels found inside of the Earth. That means that fossil fuels are flammable. These fuels are formed by decaying plants and animals that have been underground for millions of years. Fossil fuels are organic or natural materials. Fossil fuels are created …
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Natural Resources!
A natural resource is any resource that occurs in nature that is used for survival, energy, or to make money for countries. Certain places on Earth have different types or different amounts of natural resources. These resources can be anything from coal to fruits to sunlight! These are only a few examples of natural resources …
Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!!: Natural Plastics vs. Human-Made Plastics
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is… Natural Plastics vs. Human-Made Plastics! Remember, please send us what type of material you think is more useful by going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform and fill out our poll. Human-Made Plastics Plastic is a type of polymer. Polymers are certain …
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Episode 59: Rocks!
You may think that rocks are just boring old lumps of material. But, on this episode, you will learn that the rock you are holding in your hand has encountered millions of years of transformation in the Rock Cycle! Akshay explores the science of rocks! Listen to our previous episode about minerals for a quick …
Neon!
Neon (Ne) is a colorless and odorless gas that makes up 18% of the air that we breathe! Neon is a noble gas, which means that it does not mix well with other elements. Neon has specific power. It produces light! Neon signs produce a red glow. The signs are still used today, but they …
How Are Stars Formed?
Stars are giant balls of gas in space. The stars are very hot! They can be up to 800,000 degrees Fahrenheit! Our own Sun is also a star. It supplies us with light and heat. Stars take millions of years to form. We will explore the steps in which stars are formed! Scientists have observed …
How Do Electric Rice Cookers Work?
Electric rice cookers work in a similar way as a pressure cooker. Read about pressure cookers here! (spectacularsci.com/2021/01/pressure-cookers/) The main parts of a basic electric rice cooker are the outer pot, inner pot, the heating element, lid, and button controls. The outer pot contains the heating element. The inner pot, where the uncooked rice goes, …
Lift, Drag, Thrust, and Weight: The Four Forces of Flight
Airplanes are machines that can fly with engine or propeller power. They are able to use aerodynamics (how air and objects move) to fly. Airplanes make it so that we can travel around the world in just a few hours! Airplanes can come in all shapes and sizes like the tiny airplanes that you see …
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Hail!
Hail is a type of frozen precipitation. Precipitation is part of the water cycle. Precipitation is when the liquid water falls to the ground. This happens when a cloud becomes heavy and all the water will fall to the ground. There are three different types of precipitation. Rain, snow, sleet, and hail. We are going to …
Air Pollution + Rain = Acid Rain
What is Acid Rain? Acid rain is rain that has pollutants in it. It usually has air pollutants inside of it. Air pollution is when humans put toxic chemicals or smoke into the air. This can make our air dirty. This can lead to breathing problems for humans and other animals. Plants can also be …
Episode 58: Minerals!
You may think that minerals are just shiny things, but they are actually much more! On this episode, Akshay explores the properties and characteristics of minerals! This episode is a shiny gem with tons of facts! Next week, we will explore the science of rocks! You will find out how rocks and minerals are connected …
Vaccines!
A vaccine is a weakened or dead virus or bacteria that gets injected in your body. Your immune system cells will fight the “virus” and you will not get sick. Then, as your immune system fights the virus, special cells will remember the virus. When the real virus shows up, your body will immediately fight …
Different Ways Mountains Are Formed!
Mountains are tall slabs of rock that pop up on the crust. Mountains can be very tall or very small, depending on how they are formed. Mountains can form because of magma cooling or tectonic plate movement. We are going to tell you about both! Mountains can form in two main ways: magma cooling and …
What is Smoke?
Smoke is usually produced when something is burned. Smoke is made up of bits of soot, and lots of other gases like Carbon dioxide. Smoke can have a variety of things that come from what the fire is burning and where the smoke is coming from. Smoke gets its color from the gases and materials …
Virus Alert!!
A virus is infectious object that depends on living organisms’ cells to multiply. They are bad for living organisms and take over cells. Viruses infect a body and travel to a cell and inject its DNA code into the cell which will make the virus multiply and will destroy the cell. This is how viruses make us …
Teeny Tiny Plastics: A Big Problem
Plastic is a type of polymer. Polymers are certain materials that have atoms that are bonded together in a link pattern. Atoms are the tiny building blocks of all elements. When atoms bond together, like in polymers, they form molecules! Plastic is made when the oil is refined or cleaned up. Then, the oil goes …
The Heart! Your Body’s Engine
The heart is a part of your body that pumps blood around your body. This helps all of your other body parts like your brain function. The heart also regulates the Blood Pressure (BP). If the Blood Pressure is high, that means you are exercising a lot at the moment. If your Blood Pressure is …
Episode 57: Cells! Building Blocks of Life
On planet Earth, life is thriving. But, what are the building blocks of life? On this episode of Spectacular Science, Akshay discovers what cells, the building blocks of life, are! Bring your microscopes because we are discovering the science behind tiny cells. Please contact us by going to www.spectacularsci.com/contact. Here is an article! It is …
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Diamond Rain!
On Uranus & Neptune, it rains… diamonds?!?!! You might think that it only rains diamonds in fairy tales or movies, but it turns out that it actually rains diamonds on Uranus and Neptune! These diamonds fall towards the cores of these planets! These diamonds are not the size of ring diamonds, they are the size …
Owls! Amazing Birds
Owls are nocturnal birds that live on every continent, except Antarctica. They are flying birds that eat small rodents and other small birds. Owls are carnivores, meaning that they ONLY eat meat. Owls are almost like superheroes! They have many amazing powers. They have very big eyes that help them see in the dark. This is because …
Steam!
Steam is the vapor that we see when water evaporates or turns from a liquid to a gas. When this happens, the molecules of water drift farther and farther apart from each other. That makes a gas. Steam, or water vapor, is only made up of tiny bits of water. The water boils and gets …
Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!: Batteries vs. Current Electricity!
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is… Batteries vs. Current Electricity! Remember, please send us what type of electricity you think is more useful by going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform and fill out our form. Batteries Batteries provide portable, convenient sources of power without wires. It makes …
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Why Are Most Invertebrate Animals Small?
Invertebrates are animals without a backbone. That means that they are the opposite of vertebrate animals. Invertebrates make up 95% if the Earth’s animals! Some invertebrates have a hard covering on the outside of their bodies called an exoskeleton. Besides that, invertebrates are usually creatures that do not have bones as a support. Invertebrates are …
How is Plastic Made?
Plastic is a type of polymer. Polymers are certain materials that have atoms that are bonded together in a link pattern. Atoms are the tiny building blocks of all elements. When atoms bond together, like in polymers, they form molecules! Poly means many and mer or mers means units. Polymers means many units! A great example of a human-made polymer is …
Episode 56: Voices! How We Make Sounds
Have you wondered how you speak to other people? It may seem effortless to talk, but there are thousands of cells and a few select parts of your body that help you talk. On this episode, Akshay discovers how the human vocal tract works and how we make sounds! Here is an article! It is …
How Do Wind Turbines Convert Wind Into Electricity?
Wind is air that is moving at high speeds. It happens when warm and cool air rise and sink. That rising and sinking action makes the air move. Warm air rises and cold air sinks. There is this giant mass of air and wind called the Jet Stream. The Jet Stream is a system of …
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Why is Soap Important For Washing Hands?
We all are using soap a lot these days. But, how does it really work? Well, there are tiny pin-shaped molecules in soap. Those pin-shaped molecules have two parts to them: the hydrophilic head and the hydrophobic tail. Hydrophilic means that it bonds or mixes with water and hydrophobic means that it is repelled by …
Why are Bees Important?
Bees are important in a lot of ways, but the most important is pollination. Pollen is a sticky substance that is found inside of most flowering plants. Pollen is in the middle of the flower of the plant. Pollen is attached to long structures called stamens and smaller structures called pistils. This pollen helps make …
What are Cells and Why are They Important?
Cells are the makeup of every living thing! There are two types of cells: plant and animal cells. We are going to talk about Cells in general. Cells make energy by getting Carbon in the form of sugar. Depending on the organism, it make it’s own food or eat food to survive. Cells also make …
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Plants!
Plants and trees are all around us. They are the grass you run on and the trees that are towering above you. Trees are large plants that have a long life cycle. That’s why they are so big. The parts of trees are roots, the trunk, branches, and leaves. The leaves take in carbon dioxide …
Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!: Vertebrates vs. Invertebrates
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is… Vertebrates vs. Invertebrates! Remember, please send us what type of animal you think is cooler by going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform and fill out our form. Vertebrates! Vertebrates (pronounced ver-ti-brates) are animals with a backbone. The backbone is also known …
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Episode 55: The Brains On Science Podcast with Marc Sanchez!
On this episode, Akshay meets Mr. Marc Sanchez, producer of the Brains On science podcast, in the “podcast neighborhood”. Akshay talks with Mr. Sanchez discover what the Brains On science podcast for kids is really about and how it came to be. If you want to learn more about Brains On or Mr. Sanchez, head …
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How Does Snow Form?
Snow is a type of precipitation that is frozen. Precipitation is part of the water cycle. Precipitation is when liquid water falls to the ground. This happens when a cloud becomes heavy and all the water will fall to the ground. There are three different types of precipitation. Rain, snow, sleet, and hail. We are going …
What is the Process of Experimentation?
The process of experimentation or the scientific method is a process that scientists use to conduct experiments. If you want to learn more about science and the scientific method, check out our episode with science teacher and television host, Mr. Steve Spangler! This is what the scientific method is: make a question/observation, make a hypothesis, …
Why is it Cold in the Arctic and Antarctic?
The Arctic and Antarctic are known for the cold climate. This is due to the way the Earth orbits the Sun. The Earth’s orbit is not a perfect circle. There are some points in its orbit that the Earth is closer to the Sun or farther away from the Sun. That is one reason that …
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Why is There Sand at Beaches?
Sand is just rock that has been eroded. Erosion is when wind, water, or other natural agent wears away at rock and takes it to a new place. This take millions of years to happen. As the wind or water etches away at the rock, the pieces of soil or rock that come off get …
Climate Change Causes Sea-Level Rise
Sea-level rise is when the ice caps of the Earth make the ocean waters rise. The ice caps of the Earth are the North and South poles. Because of Climate Change, when the Earth gets hotter, the ice melts and flows into the ocean. When ice melts, it becomes water. When that extra water makes …
Why Do Flowers Smell Good?
Flowers are an assortment of petals and pollen that a plant produces to reproduce. The pollen of a flower contains the genetic information to make seeds and new plants. Besides being pretty, flowers actually make fruits possible! Flowers are very important to plants and even us! Flowers help attract pollinators to the flowers so that an animal can spread …
Episode 54: The Challenges During the Pandemic
During this pandemic, we have all faced challenges like schools opening and uncertainty about the future. Akshay wants to go on a Summer vacation trip, but is a little nervous about the pandemic. On this episode, we will learn how to cope with those feelings with clinical psychologist Dr. Saori Maruyama, Ph.D. Check out this …
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How Do Refrigerators Work?
A Refrigerator is a device that keeps food inside of it cool to preserve it. Here is how a Refrigerator works. First, a fluid called Refrigerant is pumped from a container in the back of the Fridge. This Refrigerant gets pumped through the pipes inside of the cooling compartment (where you put the stuff to …
How Do Microwaves Heat Up Our Food?
Microwaves are a very complicated machine, but let me break it down for you. First, there is a device inside of the microwave called a Magnetron. This Magnetron produces microwaves, which are a low energy wave on the Visible Light Spectrum. The humming sound is actually the fan that keeps the Magnetron cool. When you …
What is Erosion?
Erosion is when wind, water, or other natural agent wears away at rock and takes it to a new place. This take millions of years to happen. As the wind or water etches away at the rock, the pieces of soil or rock that come off get carried to someplace new. Erosion can cause damage …
How Do Rain Clouds Form?
Clouds are large collections of water droplets that can be frozen, but only sometimes. They form due to condensation, when water evaporates into a gas and cools down above the Earth. Then, the water drops attach to pieces of dust or dirt that are above the Earth. As more droplets attach to one piece of …
How is Paper Recycled?
You use paper just about everywhere you go! Paper was a revolutionary invention because it is used in a countless amount of things: from books, to masks! Paper is just old trees that have been mashed up and their fibers have been separated. Fibers are tiny hooks or barbs that keep things together. Once they …
Steve Spangler Science STEM Science Kit: Electricity Science!
This kit has it all: human circuits, conductors and insulators of electricity, and static electricity! With this kit, you have your own electricity lab! The kit was packaged very neatly. The unboxing process took a small amount of time. When I opened the box, I saw the science supplies and information cards that explained the …
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Episode 53: The Origins of the Solar System!
The Sun and the planets is also known as the Solar System. How did this magnificent Solar System form? On this episode, Akshay explores the science and origins of this Solar System. This episode has a lot of cool facts and a lot of fun! Please contact this podcast by going to www.spectacularsci.com/contact. Here is …
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The Amazing Telescopes! Changed Astronomy Forever
What are Telescopes? Telescopes are devices that let people see things that are far away. People at sea also use telescopes. Telescopes are most commonly used to look at space. The inventor of the telescopes was Galileo Galilei. He invented the telescope with eyeglass parts. How Do Telescopes Work? Telescopes work using light. Light is …
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The Sun in the Summer!
The Sun is the center of the Solar System. The Sun is a star, just like all of the tiny glowing dots you see in the sky at night. The Sun is the closest star to Earth and all of the planets in the Solar System. Here in the Northern hemisphere of the Earth, it’s …
What is Paper and How is it Made?
You use paper just about everywhere you go! Paper was a revolutionary invention because it is used in a countless amount of things: from books, to masks! Paper is just old trees that have been mashed up and their fibers have been separated. Fibers are tiny hooks or barbs that keep things together. Once they …
Why Do Helium Balloons Float in the Air?
Helium (He) is an element that is found all over the universe. It is the second most-abundant element in the universe! It is also the second lightest element in the universe. Helium is called a “Noble Gas”. This is because Helium can’t mix well with other elements. Scientists are predicting a Helium shortage in the …
How Do Batteries Work?
Batteries provide portable, convenient sources of power without wires. It makes many mobile devices possible! The common type of battery is called the dry cell battery. There are three parts of a battery: the anode, the cathode, and the electrolyte. The anode (- side) and cathode (+ side) are two conductive materials. The electrolyte is …
What is Refraction?
Refraction is when light bends or slows down. Light is a type of energy that is made up of tiny particles called photons. These photons can zip around the universe at very high speeds! The speed of light is the ultimate universe speed limit, up to 180,000 miles per second! Light is one of the …
Episode 52: Simple Machines All Around Us!
How do cranes that build buildings move? How do people with wheelchairs get up stairs? How do your joints move? They all use simple machines. On this episode, we are talking about simple machines and what they are. When you’re finished with this episode, you will come out with a totally different point-of-view about the …
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Why are Some Fruits Multi-Layered and Protected?
What are Fruits? Fruits are pieces of plants that have sugar inside of them. They don’t always have to be sweet to be a fruit! Fruits have either of these two things: seeds or come from flowering plants. The entire purpose of fruits is to help the plant reproduce. The seeds help the plants make …
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Why are Some Sounds Loud and Others Not?
Sound Waves are what sound travels in! They are little vibrations of air that travel through a medium or a material that it is travelling through. Sound Waves are why you can hear a jackhammer or my podcast!! Sound Waves work like this: First, an object or person has to make a sound. A sound is made …
Is Cooking a Chemical Change?
Chemical changes are changes in the molecular structure of a substance. Usually in a Chemical Change, a new substance is formed. There are a few indicators that tell you that a chemical change has happened: Gas is produced (bubbles seen) Light is produced Change in color Change is temperature Precipitate formed (leftover substance) Look for …
Why Does the Volume of a Thunderclap Vary or Change?
How Does Thunder Happen? Thunder happens because of lightning. Here is how lightning happens: First, we have to start off with a storm cloud. Tiny pieces of ice, which are actually frozen water droplets, clash around inside of the storm cloud. This clashing makes an electric charge that is then stored inside of the cloud. …
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Make Your Own Oobleck!
Oobleck is a Non-Newtonian fluid. What is a Non-Newtonian Fluid? A Non-Newtonian fluid is a substance that behaves like a solid and a liquid! If force is applied to the fluid, it is turned into a solid and if force is taken off the fluid, it becomes a liquid. How do Non-Newtonian Fluids Work? The …
The Internet! Connect People From Around the World
What is the Internet? The Internet is what you are using right NOW to read this blog post! The Internet is a series of computers that are linked together. Today, millions of computers are linked together around the world! Internet can be accessed everywhere from your house, to your school, to your local library! Servers …
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Episode 51: The Science of Science with Steve Spangler!
This podcast is all about science. But, do you know what science really is? I had the same question! So, to find out, join me and Mr. Steve Spangler, science teacher extraordinaire and television host, on an adventure to find out what science really is! If you want to learn more about Mr. Spangler, head …
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Air Pollution: Fueling Climate Change
Air pollution is when humans put toxic chemicals or smoke into the air. This can make our air dirty. This can lead to breathing problems for humans and other animals. Plants can also be harmed because the air that they bring in is not clean. This is a very big problem in big cities and …
How Do Mountains Form?
Mountains are tall slabs of rock that pop up on the crust. Mountains can be very tall or very small, depending on how they are formed. Mountains can form because of magma cooling or tectonic plate movement. We are going to tell you about both! Mountains can form in two main ways: magma cooling and …
Why Does Soap Make Our Skin Dry?
Soap makes our skin feel dry and itchy because it cleans the natural oils that are produced by our skin. How does soap clean the natural oils? Well, there are tiny pin-shaped molecules in soap. Those pin-shaped molecules have two parts to them: the hydrophilic head and the hydrophobic tail. Hydrophilic means that it bonds …
How Does Soap Work?
We all are using soap a lot these days. But, how does it really work? Well, there are tiny pin-shaped molecules in soap. Those pin-shaped molecules have two parts to them: the hydrophilic head and the hydrophobic tail. Hydrophilic means that it bonds or mixes with water and hydrophobic means that it is repelled by …
Evaporation!! A Big Part of the Water Cycle
How Does Water Evaporate Into Water Vapor? Water, or H20, is a liquid that is found all over the Earth! Water can be in different states of matter: solids, liquids, and gases. Water vapor, or steam, is in the gas state of matter. When water is a liquid, the molecules in the water are flowing …
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Why Do Soap Bubbles Pop So Easily?
Bubbles pop easily in many situations. The first situation is when they come in contact with oil and dirt. Our hands have oil and dirt on them! A soap bubble pops when it touches oil and dirt because a bubble is just a thin film of soap and water filled with air. The thin film …
Episode 50: Rockets and Satellites!
Pack your spacesuit and a bunch of snacks, because we are blasting off into space!! But wait, how can we get all the way up into space? We use rockets. On this episode, I am talking to Mr. Yash Chandramouli, a satellite operations engineer, about rockets and satellites! This is the last episode of season …
Why is Climate Change Speeding Up?
What is Climate Change? Climate Change is when the Earth’s temperature changes because of the environment. The temperature is changing because of Greenhouse Gases. These gases are produced whenever we burn stuff like gasoline for our cars. These gases trap the heat from the Sun in the atmosphere. This causes the planet to heat up. …
What’s Up With This Summer Heat in The Northern Hemisphere?
Why is it Warmer During the Summer? Here in the Northern hemisphere of the Earth, it’s summertime! The season, Summer, can be hotter or cooler depending on where you live, but on average, the temperatures do rise during the Summer. This is due to the way the Earth orbits the Sun. The Earth’s orbit is …
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Is It Windy In Here??
What is Wind and How is it Made? Wind is air that is moving at high speeds. It happens when warm and cool air rise and sink. That rising and sinking action makes the air move. Tornadoes are formed in the same way, but in a stronger way. Warm air rises and cold air sinks. …
How Do Birds Soar in the Air?
How Do Birds Soar in the Air? Bird wings are shaped in a unique way, so that they create pressure differential or tiny tornadoes on their wings. That lifts them into the air. Birds don’t just fly because of their wings. Sure, wing help them get off of the ground and helps them steer, but …
What Makes a Metal Magnetic?
What Makes a Metal Magnetic? Magnetism is an invisible force that attracts or repels certain objects. Magnets attract or repel things made out of iron, nickel, and cobalt. Magnets have 2 poles: a North and South pole. Like poles repel and unlike poles attract each other. Magnetic domains in a metal make that metal magnetic. …
Why Are Days Longer in the Summer, Than the Winter?
Why Are Days Longer in the Summer, Than the Winter? Days are longer during the Summer and shorter during the Winter because of the Earth’s tilt. Earth is slightly tilted toward the Sun. As the Earth orbits, or circles around the Sun, different parts of the world get stronger or weaker amounts of sunlight. The …
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Episode 49: Clinical Research! Testing Medications for Safety
The medicine that you use if you have a fever, had to be tested by clinical researchers! Clinical research helps get safe medicines to us! But, how does that really work? On this episode, I am talking to Ms. Lavanya Veda, a clinical researcher, about how clinical trials work! We are just one episode away …
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Water Pollution: A Big Problem
What is Water Pollution? Water pollution is when humans dump trash and harmful or toxic chemicals into waterways like oceans, streams, rivers, and ponds. This trash and chemicals can cause problems for marine life. This trash can also come back to humans! When humans drink water, the water MAY be polluted! This is also a …
How Do We See Colors?
How Do We See Colors? Let’s start with light. Light can be broken up into a few colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet! When we see white light coming from the Sun or a lightbulb, that white light is all of the rainbow colors together. When the white light hits an object …
Why Do Plants Need Sunlight?
Why Do Plants Need Sunlight? Plants need sunlight because plants use the Sun to make food. Chlorophyll helps plants collect the sunlight. Chlorophyll is made up of even smaller parts called Chloroplasts. Chloroplasts have a green color to them. Leaves have Chloroplast because they help the plant or tree collect sunlight and turn it into …
What Makes a Fruit, a Fruit?
What Makes a Fruit, a Fruit? Fruits are piece of plants that have sugar inside of them. They don’t always have to be sweet to be a fruit! Fruits have either of these two things: seeds or come from flowering plants. The entire purpose of fruits is to help the plant reproduce. The seeds help …
Steve Spangler Science STEM Science Kit: Amazing Scientist!
I am a very big fan of Mr. Steve Spangler’s T.V. shows, science toys, and camps. When I got this “Amazing Scientist” kit, I was thrilled!!! This kit is just like it’s name, amazing! The packaging was amazing! The box that the kit came in was very easy to open. The unboxing process took less …
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Mirrors!
What is Light? Light is a type of energy that is made up of tiny particles called photons. These photons can zip around the universe at very high speeds! The speed of light is the ultimate universe speed limit, up to 180,000 miles per second! Light is one of the main sources of life on …
Episode 48: Clouds! Fluffy Collections of Water Droplets
Playing the “Guess What Shape a Cloud is” game is very fun! But, have you ever stopped and wondered, what are clouds? On this episode, we are diving into the science of clouds! We will learn about the 4 types of clouds and what clouds really are. Fill out this form to tell us what …
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The Scientific Method!
This website is all about science. The podcast is too. But, what is the scientific method that scientists use to conduct experiments! Read this post to find out! What is the Scientific Method? The scientific method is a series of steps that scientists use to collect data from experiments! The scientific method is what science …
Liquid Nitrogen!
What is Liquid Nitrogen? Nitrogen (N) is a gas that makes up 64% of the air that we breathe! Liquid Nitrogen is the Nitrogen gas that has been supercooled. That means that the gas got cold and turned into a liquid. When that happens, we get a boiling liquid that is – 196 °C (- …
What is Sea-Level Rise?
What is Sea-Level Rise? Sea-level rise is when the ice caps of the Earth make the ocean waters rise. The ice caps of the Earth are the North and South poles. Because of Climate Change, when the Earth gets hotter, the ice melts and flows into the ocean. When ice melts, it becomes water. When …
Why is the Equator the Warmest Place on Earth?
Why is the Equator the Warmest Place on Earth? The Equator is the halfway point on Earth. Even though there are lots of other places on Earth that are hotter, the Equator has the warmest stable climate on Earth! Climate is what temperatures and precipitation a certain place experience during a long period of time. …
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What Happens During a Solar Eclipse?
What Happens During a Solar Eclipse? A Solar Eclipse is a natural phenomenon when the Moon blocks part of or the full Sun when viewed from Earth. Solar Eclipses only happen about 2-4 times every year. This includes from different parts of the world! Total Solar Eclipses are very rare. A Solar Eclipse happens in a specific …
How Do Clouds Move Around The World?
What are Clouds? Clouds are large collections of water droplets that can be frozen, but only sometimes. They form due to condensation, when water evaporates into a gas and cools down above the Earth. Then, the water drops attach to pieces of dust or dirt that are above the Earth. As more droplets attach to …
Episode 47: Plastic! It’s Everywhere!
Take a look around you. Your podcast playing device, made of plastic. Your headphones, made out of plastic. Your jacket, also made out of plastic! It seems like plastic is all around us! Plastic has made making lots of things easier, like computers or cars. Plastic can also be bad for the environment! Find out …
How Do Flowers Turn Into Fruits?
What are Flowers? Flowers are an assortment of petals and pollen that a plant produces to reproduce. The pollen of a flower contains the genetic information to make seeds and new plants. Besides being pretty, flowers actually make fruits possible! Flowers are very important to plants and even us! Flowers help attract pollinators to the flowers so that an …
Dissolution!
What is Dissolution? Dissolution is when water or another liquid, known as a solvent, dissolves a material, called a solute. Liquids dissolve different materials because the liquids break down the materials and make them smaller. That’s why if you stir sugar in water, the sugar disappear. It doesn’t actually disappear, it just looks like it. …
Physical Appearances/Changes of Objects
What are Physical Apperances/Changes? Physical appearances are what matter looks like or feels like. That can be a color, size, or texture. Physical changes are any change in physical properties. Some physical properties are size, shape, color, and texture. Physical Changes do NOT form a new substance. The substance stays the same, but it changes …
Chemical Reactions
What are Chemical Reactions? Chemical reactions are when two or more materials combine to make a new material! A great example is when you mix baking soda and vinegar to make Carbon dioxide gas! There are a few ways to tell if something is a chemical reactions. One is that there is heat produced. Many …
Crush A Soda Can With… Air?!?
Use the experiment video below to do this experiment yourself! Then, read the explanation below the video that tells you what happened. What Happened During the Experiment? When you poured the hot water into the soda can, the water vapor or steam pushed all of the gases, like Oxygen or Nitrogen, outside of the can. …
What Happens When Greenhouse Gases Collect in Earth’s Atmosphere?
What Happens When Greenhouse Gases Collect in Earth’s Atmosphere? Greenhouse gases are special types of gases that can trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere. They are called Greenhouse gases because they trap the heat close to Earth, like how a greenhouse for plants can keep the plants warm during the winter. Some examples of Greenhouse gases …
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Episode 46: Start Your Engines! How Cars Move
Start your engines! We are going on a Spectacular Science road trip! We are driving through the science of how cars move. This journey takes us to the inner engines of cars, to the edge of Earth’s atmosphere! Join us, as we set off on a journey to discover how cars work! Contact us by …
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How Does Water Evaporate Into Water Vapor?
How Does Water Evaporate Into Water Vapor? Water, or H20, is a liquid that is found all over the Earth! Water can be in different states of matter: solids, liquids, and gases. Water vapor, or steam, is in the gas state of matter. When water is a liquid, the molecules in the water are flowing …
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How Does Water Freeze Into Ice?
How Does Water Freeze Into Ice? Water, or H20, is a liquid that is found all over the Earth! Water can be in different states of matter: solids, liquids, and gases. Ice is water that has been frozen into a solid. Water can be a solid! Water can be solid when the molecules in the …
Microplastics
What is Plastic? Plastic is a type of polymer. Polymers are certain materials that have atoms that are bonded together in a link pattern. Atoms are the tiny building blocks of all elements. When atoms bond together, like in polymers, they form molecules! Plastic is made when the oil is refined or cleaned up. Then, …
How is Wind Made?
How is Wind Made? Wind is air that is moving at high speeds. It happens when warm and cool air rise and sink. That rising and sinking action makes the air move. Tornadoes are formed in the same way, but in a stronger way. Warm air rises and cold air sinks. There is this giant …
The Amazing Oxygen! We All Need It!
What is Oxygen? Oxygen or O2 is a chemical found in the universe. Humans need Oxygen to survive. Oxygen is in our atmosphere and the air that we breathe!! Oxygen helps the animals on this planet survive. Oxygen is a building block of so many elements like Water, or even Carbon Monoxide. Oxygen can be useful …
How Can The Moon Change Color During a Lunar Eclipse?
What are Lunar Eclipses? A Lunar Eclipse is when the Moon moves into the Earth’s shadow. The Sun is shining on the Earth and the Moon is behind the Earth. The Moon can appear to change color sometimes when it is a total Lunar Eclipse. How Does The Moon Appear to Change Colors? The Moon …
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Episode 45: Flying Machines in the Sky!
I have always thought to myself, how do airplanes and helicopters fly like the birds? I’m sure you have wondered this too. On this episode, we are flying into the science of flying machines with Vajraang Kamat, a mechanical and aerospace engineer at Area-I, a defense company in Georgia. We will learn about how helicopters …
Reflection, Refraction, and Absorption! The Properties of Light!
What is Light? Light is a type of energy that is made up of tiny particles called photons. These photons can zip around the universe at very high speeds! The speed of light is the ultimate universe speed limit, up to 180,000 miles per second! Light is one of the main sources of life on …
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Are Steam and Smoke the Same?
Are Steam and Smoke the Same? The answer is no, they are not the same thing. Steam is the vapor that we see when water evaporates or turns from a liquid to a gas. When this happens, the molecules of water drift farther and farther apart from each other. That makes a gas. Steam, or …
Sound Waves All Around Us!
What are Sound Waves? Sound Waves are what sound travels in! They are little vibrations of air that travel through a medium or a material that it is travelling through. Sound Waves are why you can hear a jackhammer or my podcast!! Sound Waves work like this: First, an object or person has to make a sound. …
What Impact Can Moons Have On Planets?
What Impact Can Moons Have on Planets? A moon is a natural satellite that orbits around a larger object like a planet. Moons can have an impact on it’s planet. For one, if the planet is a gas planet, like Jupiter, the moon can pull on the gas and cause it to make wavy shapes. …
How Do Cars Move?
How Do Cars Move? Cars move thanks to the Internal Combustion Engine. The Internal Combustion Engine is a real mouthful to say. The Internal Combustion Engine is a mechanism found in trucks, cars, and some trains! The Internal Combustion engine, or I.C.E, helps the vehicle’s wheels move. How Does The Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Work? …
Why is Plastic Bad For The Environment?
What is Plastic? Plastic is a type of polymer. Polymers are certain materials that have atoms that are bonded together in a link pattern. Atoms are the tiny building blocks of all elements. When atoms bond together, like in polymers, they form molecules! Plastic is made when the oil is refined or cleaned up. Then, …
Episode 44: Dust, All Around Us!
There’s dust in the corner of your room, on the ceiling fan, it’s everywhere! Dust blows around in the wind a lot! But what is dust exactly? On this episode, we grab our giant super power microscope to take a closer look at dust! Contact us by going to www.spectacularsci.com/contact. Here is an article that …
Stars!
What are Stars? Stars are giant balls of gas in space. The stars are very hot! They can be up to 800,000 degrees fahrenheit! Our own Sun is also a star. It supplies us with light and heat. How do Stars Get So Hot? This is how stars get very hot. A star is filled …
Plastic!
What is Plastic? Plastic is a type of polymer. Polymers are certain materials that have atoms that are bonded together in a link pattern. Atoms are the tiny building blocks of all elements. When atoms bond together, like in polymers, they form molecules! Poly means many and mer or mers means units. Polymers means many units! Some examples of natural polymers …
Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!: Insulators vs. Conductors of Electricity
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is… Insulators vs. Conductors of Electricity! Remember, please send us what type of object you think is more useful by going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform and fill out our form. Insulators Insulators and materials that do not let electrons flow through …
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Moons!
What is a Moon? We have written about specific moons like Titan, Europa, and our own Moon! Please check those posts out! We have also done an episode about moons! A moon is a natural satellite that orbits around a larger object like a planet. A natural satellite is different from a human made satellite …
Magnetic Domains!
What is Magnetism? Magnetism is an invisible force that attracts or repels certain objects. Magnets attract or repel things made out of iron, nickel, and cobalt. Objects are magnetic because the electrons, which spin around an atom’s nucleus, are spinning in the same direction (they are all lined up). The spinning electrons create an invisible …
Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!! Moon Showdown! – Europa vs. Titan
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is… Europa vs. Titan! Europa is one of Jupiter’s moons. Remember, please send us what moon you think is cooler by going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform and fill out our form. Europa! Europa is one of Jupiter’s moons. It takes 85 …
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Episode 43: Magnetism!
Magnets attract some objects and repel others. But, what really are magnets? On this episode, we will take a look at the science behind magnets! Magnets and electricity have much more in common than you may think! Find out by listening to this episode! Please contact this podcast by going to www.spectacularsci.com/contact. Here is an …
Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!!: Permanent Magnets vs. Electromagnets
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is… Permanent Magnets vs. Electromagnets! Remember, please send us what side you think is more useful by going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform and fill out our form. Permanent Magnets Magnetism is an invisible force that attracts or repels certain objects. Magnets …
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Fossil Fuels and Climate Change
What are Fossil Fuels? Fossil fuels are a liquid that is very easy to burn. That means that fossil fuels are flammable. These fuels are formed by decaying plants and animals that have been underground for millions of years. Fossil fuels are organic or natural materials. Fossil fuels are created when dead plants get buried …
Polymers!
What are Polymers? Polymers are certain materials that have atoms that are bonded together in a link pattern. Atoms are the tiny building blocks of all elements. When atoms bond together, like in polymers, they form molecules! Poly means many and mer or mers means units. Polymers means many units! Some examples of natural polymers …
Electromagnets!
What is Magnetism? Magnetism is an invisible force that attracts or repels certain objects. Magnets attract or repel things made out of iron, nickel, and cobalt. Objects are magnetic because the electrons, which spin around an atom’s nucleus, are spinning in the same direction (they are all lined up). The spinning electrons create an invisible …
Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!!!: Vascular vs. Non-Vascular Plants!
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is… Vascular vs. Non-Vascular Plants! Remember, please send us what side you think is cooler by going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform and fill out our form. Vascular Plants Vascular plants are plants that have a series of tubes running through their …
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Magnetism!
What is Magnetism? Magnetism is an invisible force that attracts or repels certain objects. Magnets attract or repel things made out of iron, nickel, and cobalt. Objects are magnetic because the electrons, which spin around an atom’s nucleus, are spinning in the same direction (they are all lined up). The spinning electrons create an invisible …
Episode 42: Go On a Trip With…Oxygen!?
Breathe in….. and breathe out. Don’t you just love breathing Oxygen! But, where does Oxygen really come from? What if you’re in the middle of the desert? Or on a boat in the ocean? On this episode, we are travelling with Oxygen and learning how teeny tiny bacteria and plants helped create the Oxygen that …
Severe Thunderstorms
What are Severe Thunderstorms and What Do They Contain? Thunderstorms are storms with cumulonimbus or storm clouds. The clouds have water inside of them and the water pours down on the ground below. Thunderstorms can also have heavy winds. Lightning and thunder are the main things in thunderstorms. Here is how lightning happens: First, we …
Molecules!
What are Molecules? Molecules are connections or bonds between atoms. Atoms are the microscopic building blocks of the universe. They make up almost ANY material including solids, liquids, and gases! A human has more than 1 billion atoms! Atoms have specific parts. There is the nucleus, which is the center of the atom. Then, there …
Photosynthesis!
What is Photosynthesis? Photosynthesis is the process of taking sunlight and Carbon dioxide and making it into Oxygen gas and sugar! The word “photo” means light. Photosynthesis is used by green plants, algae, and bacteria. That helps the bacteria, plants, or algae make food for themselves. Photosynthesis also made our Oxygen atmosphere! These organisms use …
Where Does Oxygen Come From?
What is Oxygen? Oxygen or O2 is a chemical found in the universe. Humans need Oxygen to survive. Oxygen is in our atmosphere and the air that we breathe!! Oxygen helps the animals on this planet survive. Oxygen is a building block of so many elements like Water, or even Carbon Monoxide. Oxygen can be useful …
Why Are Leaves Green?
Why are Leaves Green? Leaves are green because of a green part of the leaf called Chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is made up of even smaller parts called Chloroplasts. Chloroplasts have a green color to them. Leaves have Chloroplast because they help the plant or tree collect sunlight and turn it into sugar. That process is called …
Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!!: Air Pressure vs. Water Pressure?
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is… Air Pressure vs. Water Pressure! Remember, please send us what side you think is cooler by going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform and fill out our form. Air Pressure! Right now, as you are reading this, there are tons of air …
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Episode 41: The Weird and Wacky World of Water!
We all know what water is. The clear liquid that comes out of faucets and in oceans! Have you ever wondered about the properties of water? On this episode, we are putting on our wetsuits and diving into the science behind water! Contact this podcast by going to www.spectacularsci.com/contact. Check out this article! It is …
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Insulators and Conductors of Electricity!
What is an Electrical Circuit? A circuit is a path that current electricity or electrons can flow through. Current electricity is a type of human-made electricity. A simple circuit is made out of four parts: the power source, wires, the load, and a switch! A simple circuit works by electrons, which are negatively charged, exit …
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Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!!!: Newtonian Fluids vs. Non-Newtonian Fluids
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is… Newtonian Fluids vs. Non-Newtonian Fluids! Remember, please send us what side you agree with going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform and fill out our form. Newtonian Fluids A Newtonian fluid is a fluid that has the same viscosity or thickness all …
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Are Cement and Concrete the Same Thing?
The short answer is no, Concrete is not the same as Cement. Here’s why: What is Concrete and What is Cement? Concrete is a mix of rocks, powders, chemicals, and water. When Concrete hardens, it becomes a very strong building material. Concrete actually is a human-made material. Concrete can be used to hold things together, …
Short Circuits! A Big Electrical Problem!!
What is an Electrical Circuit? A circuit is a path that current electricity or electrons can flow through. Current electricity is a type of human-made electricity. A simple circuit is made out of four parts: the power source, wires, the load, and a switch! A simple circuit works by electrons, which are negatively charged, exit …
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Earth Day 2021! How to Help the Earth!
What is Earth Day? Every April 22nd, we celebrate a day we call Earth Day. Earth Day is a day that we do good things for the environment. This holiday was created by Senator Gaylord Nelson. He wanted to make a day where people could recognize and care for the environment! The first Earth Day …
Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!!: Airplanes vs. Helicopters!
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is… Airplanes vs. Helicopters! Remember, please send us what side you agree with going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform and fill out our form Airplanes Airplanes are machines that can fly with engine or propeller power. They are able to use aerodynamics …
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Episode 40: How Do We Hear Sounds?
Sound is all around us! But, how do people hear sound? On this episode, we will answer that question and many other sound science questions! Grab your earplugs, because this episode is going to be filled with sound! Send us comments, questions, or show suggestions by going to www.spectacularsci.com/contact! Here is an article! It is …
The Gas State of Matter!
What is Matter? Matter is anything in the universe that is made out of atoms. Atoms are tiny building blocks of all things. Check out our post on atoms! Matter comes in three states: solids, liquids, and gases. We are going to write about each one of them in the next few days. Today, we …
The Liquid State of Matter!
What is Matter? Matter is anything in the universe that is made out of atoms. Atoms are tiny building blocks of all things. Check out our post on atoms! Matter comes in three states: solids, liquids, and gases. We are going to write about each one of them in the next few days. Today, we …
The Solid State of Matter!
What is Matter? Matter is anything in the universe that is made out of atoms. Atoms are tiny building blocks of all things. Check out our post on atoms! Matter comes in three states: solids, liquids, and gases. We are going to write about each one of them in the next few days. Today, we …
Circuits!
What is a Circuit? A circuit is a path that current electricity or electrons can flow through. Current electricity is a type of human-made electricity. A simple circuit is made out of four parts: the power source, wires, the load, and a switch How Does a Simple Circuit Work? A simple circuit works by electrons, …
Atoms!
What are Atoms? Atoms are the microscopic building blocks of the universe. They make up almost ANY material including solids, liquids, and gases! A human has more than 1 billion atoms! Atoms have specific parts. There is the nucleus, which is the center of the atom. Then, there are even smaller parts. They are protons, …
Natural Electricity vs. Human-made Electricity
Natural Electricity Natural electricity means that electricity is created in the natural world. Natural electricity can not be controlled by humans. This type of electricity happens naturally without any human interference. Some examples are lightning and static electricity. Static electricity happens in a big burst. Human-made Electricity Human-made electricity means that the electricity is produced …
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Episode 39: Soil! Can you dig it?
Have you ever walked outside and thought about the soil that is under your feet? Well, on this episode, we are taking a deep dive into soil science. What really is soil and what it is made out of? All these questions and more to be answered on this episode! Please send us questions or …
Static Electricity!
What is Static Electricity? Static electricity is naturally occurring electricity which is caused by the buildup of electrons. Electrons are the negatively charged parts of an atom. Atoms are the building blocks of everything. When enough charges build up, the charges can jump from one object to another. That is called an electron transfer. How …
Masks! How They Keep Us Safe
What are Masks? Masks are a piece of cloth or paper that people wear to cover their noses and mouths. Wuh Lien-tuh was a Chinese doctor that invented masks in the early 1900’s. Wuh Lien-tuh invented layered masks because there was a virus outbreak. We are using masks right now! How Do Masks Work? Masks …
Pollen Allergies!
What is Pollen? Pollen is a sticky substance that is found inside of most flowering plants. Pollen is in the middle of the flower of the plant. Pollen is attached to long structures called stamens and smaller structures called pistils. This pollen helps make new plants grow through a process called pollination. That is when …
How Do Volcanoes Erupt?
How Do Volcanoes Erupt? Just a quick note, if you want to learn more about volcanoes, check out our episode on this very topic! First we have to talk about the layer of the Earth called the Outer Core. The outer core is literally “liquid metal”!! It is full of magma, which is hotter than …
Bernoulli’s Principle!
What is Bernoulli’s Principle? Daniel Bernoulli was a famous scientist and discovered or property or principle of fluids and air. The thing that Bernoulli discovered that… Fast moving fluids or air creates and area of low pressure Pressure is how much air is pushing down on an object. The area of low pressure means that …
Sir Isaac Newton’s Third Law of Motion!
NOTE: Check out the previous posts about Isaac Newton’s first law of motion and Isaac Newton’s second law of motion. What is Isaac Newton’s Third Law of Motion? Sir Isaac Newton’s first law of motion is basically an action that Sir Isaac Newton, a famous scientist and mathematician, observed in the universe. The word “law” …
Episode 38: Tornadoes – Massive Swirling Clouds!
On this episode we are getting into a massive column of clouds! That’s right, we’re learning about tornadoes. These swirling clouds hold many secrets and mysteries. We are going to take a deep dive into the science of tornadoes, especially because Spring weather involves lots of tornadoes. By learning about tornadoes, we can be sure …
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Sir Isaac Newton’s Second Law of Motion!
NOTE: Check out the previous post about Isaac Newton’s first law of motion. What is Isaac Newton’s Second Law of Motion? Sir Isaac Newton’s first law of motion is basically an action that Sir Isaac Newton, a famous scientist and mathematician, observed in the universe. The word “law” just means that this statement applies to …
Sir Isaac Newton’s First Law of Motion!
What is Isaac Newton’s First Law of Motion? Sir Isaac Newton’s first law of motion is basically an action that Sir Isaac Newton, a famous scientist and mathematician, observed in the universe. The word “law” just means that this statement applies to all things, not matter what size. The first law of motion states An …
mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines!
What is a Vaccine? A vaccine is a weakened or dead virus or bacteria that gets injected in your body. Your immune system cells will fight the “virus” and you will not get sick. Then, as your immune system fights the virus, special cells will remember the virus. When the real virus shows up, your …
Different Types of Precipitation!
What is Precipitation? Precipitation is part of the water cycle. Precipitation is when the liquid water falls to the ground. This happens when a cloud becomes heavy and all the water will fall to the ground. There are three different types of precipitation. Rain, snow, sleet, and hail. We are going to talk about each …
Lead Contamination in Water
What is Lead Contamination? Lead (pronounced l-e-d) contamination is when Lead, a poisonous chemical gets into the water that we drink or take baths in. Water can dissolve materials very easily. This is bad because Lead in our pipes leaks into the water. Some pipes that bring water into our homes are made out of …
The Internet!!
What is the Internet? The Internet is what you are using right NOW to read this blog post! The Internet is a series of computers that are linked together. Today, millions of computers are linked together around the world! Internet can be accessed everywhere from your house, to your school, to your local library! Servers …
Episode 37: Electricity!!
Have you ever wondered how the lights turns on in your house, or how I am able to record my podcast with electric microphones? It’s all electricity. These flowing electrons help power lights a and so much more. We will learn about this everyday thing and how it happens naturally on this episode of Spectacular …
Naturally- Harnessed Electricity and Human- Harnessed Electricity
Naturally- Harnessed Electricity! Naturally- Harnessed electricity means that electricity is created in the natural world. Naturally-harnessed electricity can not be controlled by humans. This type of electricity happens naturally without any human interference. Some examples are lightning and static electricty. Human-Harnessed Electricity! Human-harnessed electricity means that the electricity is produced or made by humans. Humans …
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Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!: Tornadoes vs. Thunderstorms
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is… Tornadoes vs. Thunderstorms. Which one is more interesting or cooler? Please send us what side you agree with by going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform and fill out our form! Tornadoes Tornadoes are a rotating column of air that spins …
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Air Pressure!
What is Air Pressure? Right now, as you are reading this, there are tons of air pushing down on you. That is air pressure. As you might know, the Earth is covered with a blanket of gases. That is called the atmosphere. The air from the atmosphere takes up space, so it has mass (weight). …
Tornadoes
What is a Tornado? Tornadoes are a rotating column of air that spins very fast. They are made up of a giant cloud that stretches from above to the ground. Tornadoes can have violent winds and lots of rain. Tornadoes can do lots of damage, so it is important to take shelter during a tornado. …
Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!!! Spring vs. Fall (Autumn)
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is… Spring vs. Fall (Autumn)! Remember, please send us what side you agree with going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform and fill out our form! Seasons Seasons are differences in the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. The Earth is slightly tilted. that …
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Plants and Flowers: Two Important Things in Nature
Plants Plants and trees are all around us. They are the grass you run on and the trees that are towering above you. Trees are large plants that have a long life cycle. That’s why they are so big. The parts of trees are roots, the trunk, branches, and leaves. The leaves take in carbon …
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Episode 36: Birds – Masters of Flight
Have you ever looked up in the sky and wondered how birds fly? On this episode, we are soaring in the sky and figuring out how birds fly! We will learn about adaptations that birds have! Let’s fly with science!! Here is an article! It is called Bird Flight! (https://spectacularsci.com/bird-flight/) Here is a fun activity! …
Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!!!: Neon vs. Helium
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is… Neon vs. Helium! This is a special debate because Neon and Helium are Noble Gases. They do not mix well with other elements. Remember, please send us what side you agree with going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform and fill out …
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The 4 Seasons!
What are Seasons? Seasons are differences in the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. The Earth is slightly tilted. that is what causes the seasons! Places around the Earth experience the same seasons, but they might not all feel the same. Today, I am going to explain the main seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall (Autumn), and Winter. …
The Visible Light Spectrum!
What is the Visible Light Spectrum? The Visible Light Spectrum is all of the colors in white light! White light from the Sun and the lights in your house has all of the colors of the Rainbow! The Visible Light Spectrum contains the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. How Can We …
Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!!: Regular Birds vs. Hummingbirds
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is… Regular Birds vs. Hummingbirds! Hummingbirds and regular birds have some things that make them different. Remember, please send us what side you agree with going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform and fill out our form! Birds (Examples: hawks, crows, sparrows) Birds …
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Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!!: Solar Eclipse vs. Lunar Eclipses
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is… Solar Eclipses vs. Lunar Eclipses! Remember, please send us what side you agree with going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform and fill out our form! Solar Eclipses A Solar Eclipse is a natural phenomenon when the Moon blocks part of or …
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Airplanes and Helicopters!
Airplanes Airplanes are machines that can fly with engine or propeller power. They are able to use aerodynamics (how air and objects move) to fly. Airplanes make it so that we can travel around the world in just a few hours! Airplanes can coke in all shapes and sizes like the tiny airplanes that you …
Episode 35: Moons of Planets! All About These Natural Satellites
Do you love the view of the Moon in the night sky? What if there were 78 moons in the sky!?! Some planets have more than one moon! On this episode, we are blasting off into space and learning more about moons of planets! Here is an article! It is called Moons of Planets! (https://spectacularsci.com/moons-of-planets/) …
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Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!!: Physical Changes vs. Chemical Changes
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is… Physical Changes vs. Chemical Changes! Remember, please send us what side you agree with going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform and fill out our form! Chemical Changes! Chemical changes are changes in the molecular structure of a substance. Usually in a …
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Birds! Masters of Flight
People Try to Fly!! Birds have inspired humans with their ability to fly! Humans have been trying to attach man-made wings and have been trying to fly like birds. Even though we have airplanes and helicopters, we will not be able to flap wings to fly. How Do Birds Fly? Birds don’t just fly because …
How Do Hummingbirds Hover When They Are Flying?
How Do Hummingbirds Hover? If you have not seen a hummingbird before, it is a tiny bird and it… HOVERS in place like a helicopter!??!! That is the hummingbird’s specialty! Hummingbirds can hover for two reasons. One is the bones that are in a hummingbird wing. Most birds have arm bones in their wings, but …
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Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!!!: Solar Cells vs. Wind Turbines
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is… Solar Cells vs. Wind Turbines. Remember, please send us what side you agree with going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform and fill out our form! Solar Cells Solar Cells are a sheet filled with hundreds of tiny receptors that are sensitive …
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Why Do Birds Migrate?
Migration of Animals Migration is when an animal goes from one place to another to escape climate patterns, to escape seasonal predators, or to find more food. Migration is key to survival to some animals! Why Do Birds Migrate? There are 2 known reasons birds migrate. One is to find more food! Plants and insects …
Flowers!
What are Flowers? Flowers are an assortment of petals and pollen that a plant produces to reproduce. The pollen of a flower contains the genetic information to make seeds and new plants. Besides being pretty, flowers actually make fruits possible! A fruit is what is left after a flower dies and sugar is put into …
Episode 34: Pollen and Pollination!
This episode ties in well with the time period people are entering in the Northern Hemisphere! That’s right: it’s the season called Spring! In Spring, there is a lot of pollen floating around because of flowers blooming. We are going to learn about this “magical flower powder” on this episode! Here is an article! It …
Run-Off of Water!!
What is Run-Off? Run-off is when precipitation (snow, rain sleet, or hail) hits the ground and drains into rivers, lakes, and oceans. This run-off is what causes accumulations or build-ups of water. Run-off is also a cause of Erosion, which can break down and carry rocks to different places. How is Run-Off Benificial? Millions of …
Mechanical Weathering and Chemical Weathering!
What is Weathering? Weathering is the breaking down of rock by many natural agents like water, wind, and gravity. There are two types of weathering: Mechanical and Chemical Weathering. Mechanical Weathering: Mechanical Weathering is when rocks are broken down WITHOUT a chemical change. They are changing their physical properties. Mechanical weathering can split rocks in …
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How is Paper Made?
What is Paper? You use paper just about everywhere you go! Paper has been around for thousands of years. Paper is just old trees that have been mashed up and their fibers have been separated. Fibers are tiny hooks or barbs that keep things together. Once they have the mixture of old trees, the join …
Sand Dunes!
What are Sand Dunes? Have you ever seen a picture of a desert? Did the picture have these sand “waves”? Those wavy hill structures are called Sand Dunes. Sand Dunes are big hill-like piles of sand or soil that get blown by the wind or can be impacted by other living animals. How Do Sand …
Sinkholes!
What are Sinkholes? Sinkholes are large holes in the ground that form when water seeps into the ground. Limestone, a type of rock can dissolve very easily in water. As the water seeps into the cracks on the ground, it dissolves the limestone rock under the surface. The limestone becomes weak and creates a hole …
States of Matter!
The three states of Matter are solids, liquids, and gases. This will cover how the molecules will look like when they are in these different forms. Solids The molecules in solids are very solid. They barely have room to move! Imagine a cluster of balls in a box squished together. The molecules are close to …
Episode 33: Weathering and Erosion! Destructive Processes That Shape Our Earth!
On this episode, we will talk about Weathering and Erosion! These forces make out Earth that we see today. Without these forces, our Earth would not have life or anything else! We will learn about these different types of forces on this episode. Here is an article! It is called Erosion!(https://spectacularsci.com/erosion/) Here is an activity! …
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Water’s 3 States of Matter!
Solid Water can be a solid! Water can be solid when the molecules in the water are packed tightly together. This usually happens when the water gets cold. A great example of this is… ICE! Ice is water in its solid state. Liquid Water can be a liquid! That is what we usually think of …
Brain Freezes! Sphenopalatine Ganglion Neuralgia!!
To learn more, check out this article about the SPG nerves! What is a Brain Freeze? A brain freeze is an informal term for Sphenopalatine Ganglion Neuralgia. It is when the blood vessels in your brain expand to cause a headache! This is all caused SPG nerves. These nerves are at the back of your …
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How Do Airplanes Fly?
What are Airplanes? Airplanes are machines that can fly with engine or propeller power. They are able to use aerodynamics (how air and objects move) to fly. Airplanes make it so that we can travel around the world in just a few hours! Airplanes can coke in all shapes and sizes like the tiny airplanes …
Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) Nerves!
What are SPG Nerves? SPG nerves or the sphenopalatine ganglion are a bundle of nerves located on the roof of your mouth. These nerves are very sensitive to cold things. This is what causes a brain freeze. The SPG nerves can actually make your blood vessels in your brain expand when the nerves get cold! …
Earthquakes!!
What are Earthquakes and How Do They Happen? Earthquakes are energy that is released in the tectonic plate boundaries. Tectonic plates are giant slabs of rock that move around! The crust (outermost layer of the Earth) is made up of these tectonic plates. These tectonic plates can get stuck. When they do this, lots of …
Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!!!: Viruses Vs. Bacteria!
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is… Viruses vs. Bacteria. Remember, please send us what side you agree with going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform and fill out our form! Viruses! A virus is infectious object that depends on living organisms’ cells to multiply. They are bad for …
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Episode 32: Stars – Twinkling Balls of Gas
On this episode of Spectacular Science, we are launching ourselves into outer space to talk about Stars! These giant balls of gas have hidden secrets! We are going to learn about those hidden secrets and much more!! Please contact our podcast by going to spectacularsci.com/contact! We love hearing from you! Here is an article! It …
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The Magnificent Trees!!
What are Trees and How Do They Help The World? Trees are large plants that have a long life cycle. That’s why they are so big. The parts of trees are roots, the trunk, branches, and leaves. The leaves take in Carbon dioxide and sunlight. The roots suck up water and nutrients. That is then …
Our Solar System!!!
What is Our Solar System? The Solar System is a system of planets, comets, dwarf planets, dust, gas, and asteroids that orbit the Sun. The Solar System is a giant pancake of gases. What Does Our Solar System Contain? The Solar System contains the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. These planets …
The Power of Computers!!
What are Computers and Who Invented Them? Computers are all around us. From our laptops to our everyday smartphones. A computer is an electronic device that reads and processes data. The father of a computer was Charles Babbage. He came up with the idea but never built it. He called it a tabulating engine. It …
Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep: How it Affects Your Body!
What is REM Sleep? REM Sleep or Rapid Eye Movement Sleep is a very important stage for human health. REM Sleep is the stage when your brain is active, dreams occur, and your eyes move back and forth rapidly under your eyelids. During this stage, your brain is very active! The brain organizes information it learned the …
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How Are Fossil Fuels Created?
What are Fossil Fuels? Fossil fuels are a liquid that is very easy to burn. That means that fossil fuels are flammable. These fuels are formed by decaying plants and animals that have been underground for millions of years. Fossil fuels are organic or natural materials. How are Fossil Fuels Created? Fossil fuels are created …
Mountains: How They Are Formed!
What are Mountains? Mountains are tall slabs of rock that pop up on the crust. Mountains can be very tall or very small, depending on how they are formed. Mountains can form because of magma cooling or tectonic plate movement. We are going to tell you about both! How do Mountains Form? Mountains can form …
Episode 31: Microorganisms Series – Part 5 of 5!: Protozoa
This episode of Spectacular Science is Part 5 of a 5 part series about the types of Microorganisms (microscopic animals). The types of Microorganisms are… viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae, and protozoa. We will talk about each of these Microorganisms in an episode. Today, we are focusing on Protozoa! This is the last episode of this …
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River Deltas!
What is a River Delta? A River Delta is a type of wetland where a river flows into a larger body of water like an ocean or lake. Deltas can be different sizes. They can be between a 100 feet to 500 miles!! Delatas are some of most Biodiverse landforms! Biodiverse means that there is …
Why is the Sky Blue?
Visible Light Spectrum The Visible light spectrum is the different colors in the white light that we see. The different colors are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. You can see these colors by bending light with a prism or with water. The Blue Sky! The sky is blue because the molecules (building …
FUN FACT Session!!!
Here are 8 FUN FACTS About Science!!!! When you chop something with a knife, the knife and the object don’t even touch. This is because electromagnetic forces are repelling each other. Humans do not have just unique fingerprints: they have unique TONGUE PRINTS!!!!! People shed over 600,000 skin particles in an hour! Your heart beats …
How Do Neon Signs Work?
What is Neon? Neon (Ne) is a colorless and odorless gas that makes up 18% of the air that we breathe! Neon is a noble gas, which means that it does not mix well with other elements. Neon has specific power. It produces light! How Do Neon Signs Work? Neon signs produce a red glow. …
Helium!
What is Helium? Helium (He) is an element that is found all over the universe. It is the second most-abundant element in the universe! It is also the second lightest element in the universe. It is lighter than the air that we breathe, so it always escapes from Earth’s atmosphere. Helium is called a “Noble …
Erosion
What is Erosion? Erosion is when wind, water, or other natural agent wears away at rock and takes it to a new place. This take millions of years to happen. As the wind or water etches away agt the rock, the pieces of soil or rock that come off get carried to someplace new. Erosion …
Episode 30: Microorganisms Series – Part 4: Algae!!
This episode of Spectacular Science is Part 4 of a 5 part series about the types of Microorganisms (microscopic animals). The types of Microorganisms are… viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae, and protozoa. We will talk about each of these Microorganisms in an episode. Today, we are focusing on Algae or Protists! Please contact us by going …
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Microphones: A New Era of Sound
What is a Microphone? A microphone is a device that makes sound waves into electrical signals. These electrical signals are stored inside of a computer or other recording device. FUN FACT: I actually use a podcast microphone to record my podcast! The microphone’s signals can go to two places: (1) to a computer or other …
Green Energy!!
What is Green Energy? Green Energy means a way to make power without polluting the atmosphere. Most power plants today use coal and gasoline to generate electricity. When they burn coal and gasoline, it creates Carbon Dioxide (CO2) which is a Greenhouse Gas. This means that it traps the Sun’s energy in the atmosphere and …
The 3 Types of Pollution
What is Pollution? Pollution is when humans and other animals cause harm to environment. They can spill harmful chemicals or throw waste everywhere. Pollution can cause harm to the living things on Earth. There are 3 main types of pollution: land pollution, water pollution, and air pollution. We are going to talk about each type. …
The Heart!
What is the Heart? The Heart is a part of your body that pumps blood around your body. This helps all of your other body parts like your brain function. The Heart also regulates the Blood Pressure (BP). If the Blood Pressure is high, that means you are exercising a lot at the moment. If …
Telescopes!!
What are Telescopes? Telescopes are devices that let people see things that are far away. People at sea also use telescopes. Telescopes are most commonly used to look at space. The inventor of the telescopes was Galileo Galilei. He invented the telescope with eyeglass parts. How Do Telescopes Work? Telescopes work using light. Light is …
Vascular Plants!
What are Vascular Plants? Vascular plants are plants that have a series of tubes running through their stem/trunk to their leaves. These tubes or veins are what a plant uses to transport nutrients through it. A plant with roots is also considered a vascular plant because it roots are tubes that carry water and nutrients. …
Episode 29: Microorganisms Series – Part 3: Fungi!
This episode of Spectacular Science is Part 3 of a 5 part series about the types of Microorganisms (microscopic animals). The types of Microorganisms are… viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae, and protozoa. We will talk about each of these Microorganisms in an episode. Today, we are focusing on Fungi! Please contact us by going to www.spectacularsci.com/contact and leave …
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The Fire Triangle!
REMEMBER, NEVER EVER use fire related products WITHOUT an ADULT’s help!!! What is the Fire Triangle? The Fire Triangle is a visual that represents what a fire needs to burn. Things like stoves, campfires, and ovens use the Fire Triangle to make food or keep warm. We are going to talk about each side of …
Clouds!
What are Clouds? Clouds are made up of frozen water droplets that float high in the air. They make the cloud’s fluffy coating. There actually different types of clouds that all bring different weather. Cumulus Clouds Cumulus clouds are fluffy, white clouds that float high in the sky. They usually mean that the day is …
Rainbows!!
Side Note!!: Roy G. Biv is the acronym for the colors of a rainbow! What are Rainbows? Rainbows are optical illusions that happen when light bends in water droplets and splits into different colors. Those colors are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. White light is made out of all these colors!! How …
Titan!! One of Saturn’s Moons
What is Titan? Titan is the second-largest moon in the Solar System. Titan orbits around Saturn every 16 Earth days. Titan has entire oceans and seas of liquid Methane, a gas that is so cold that it turns into a liquid! Titan also has a lot of empty rivers that were carved out by a …
Europa: One of Jupiter’s Moons!
What is Europa? Europa is one of Jupiter’s moons. It takes 85 hours to orbit Jupiter. Europa is mostly made of rocks and ice. The part that really got scientists interested is… water!! This water bursts out of the surface of the moon like jets of water. These eruptions release water. Europa Water Mystery Scientists …
FUN Fact Session!!
We are writing a special blog post that has 10 FUN Facts!! So without further ado, the FUN Fact session!! FUN Facts!!! Did you know that… if you stacked up all of the viruses in the world, it would be tall enough to reach the Moon!!! Did you know that… the Grand Canyon in Arizona …
Episode 28: Microorganisms Series – Part 2: Bacteria!!
This episode of Spectacular Science is Part 2 of a 5 part series about the types of Microorganisms (microscopic animals). The types of Microorganisms are… viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae, and protozoa. We will talk about each of these Microorganisms in an episode. Today, we are focusing on Bacteria! Please contact us by going to www.spectacularsci.com/contact …
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Pitch, Frequency, and Volume!! Sound Waves Everywhere!!!
What are Sound Waves? Sound Waves are what sound travels in! They are little vibrations of air that travel through a medium or a material that it is travelling through. Sound Waves are why you can hear a jackhammer or my podcast!! Sound Waves work like this: First, an object or person has to make …
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The Sun!!!
What is the Sun? The Sun is the center of the Solar System. The Sun is a star, just like all of the tiny glowing dots you see in the sky at night. The Sun is the closest star to Earth and all of the planets in the Solar System. Why is the Sun important …
Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!!!: Oxygen vs. Carbon Dioxide
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is… Oxygen vs. Carbon Dioxide. Remember, please send us what side you agree with going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform and fill out our form! Oxygen Oxygen or O2 is a chemical found in the universe. Humans need Oxygen …
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The Wonderful Water!!!
What is Water? Water is a substance that is found everywhere on Earth! It can be a solid, liquid, or gas. It is necessary for life on Earth. It’s chemical compound is H2O. That means two Hydrogen (H2) atoms and one Oxygen (O₂) atom. This bond is called a Water Molecule. Water gives living things …
The Discovery of Penicillin
What is Penicillin? Penicillin is a type of Fungus that was used to treat bacterial infections. Bacterial infections are when bacteria infect the cells in your body. Penicillin is also known as Penicillium Notatum. This is a type of mold that can stop the growth of bacteria! The discovery of this “mold juice” is what …
Cells!!
What are Cells? Cells are the makeup of every living thing! There are two types of cells: plant and animal cells. We are going to talk about Cells in general. Cells make energy by getting Carbon in the form of sugar. Depending on the organism, it make it’s own food or eat food to survive. …
Episode 27: Microorganisms Series – Part 1: Viruses!
This episode of Spectacular Science is Part 1 of a 5 part series about the types of Microorganisms (microscopic animals). The types of Microorganisms are… viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae, and protozoa. We will talk about each of these Microorganisms in an episode. Today, we are focusing on Viruses! Here is an article! It is called …
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Permafrost and Climate Change
What is Permafrost? Permafrost, also known as Permanent Frost, is a layer of ice that stays frozen all year round. The Permafrost is mostly found near the North and South Poles. This ice is made of Water and Methane (CH4). When Methane is cooled, it becomes very hard to melt. This is what Permafrost is. …
Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!!!: Are Fungi More Beneficial or Harmful?
This blog post is another a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is…Fungi – Are they mostly good or bad? Remember, please send us what side you agree with going to www.spectacularsci.com/debateform and fill out our form! Fungi Are Mostly Good For You!! Fungi are mostly good for …
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Pressure Cookers!
How Do Pressure Cookers Cook Food? Pressure cookers use the pressure of water vapor or steam trapped inside of a closed container to cook food like rice. As the water inside of the cooker starts to boil, it turns from liquid to a gas. This gas is called water vapor. As the water vapor rises, …
Spectacular Science DEBATE POST!!!: Viruses – Are They Alive or Not?
This blog post is a debate showdown! We take topics and make them into a debate!! Today’s topic is…Viruses – Are they alive or not? Viruses are Living! Viruses are living because they are able to reproduce, just like other living things. They reproduce by injecting their DNA and RNA makeup into a host cell. …
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Bacteria!!
What are Bacteria? Bacteria are single-celled organisms or living things. They are also called microorganisms. They are called this because microorganisms are living things that can not be seen with the naked eye. Bacteria can be good for you or bad for you. We are going to learn about the good and bad about bacteria. …
The Super-Fungus, Yeast!!
Check out our episode about Yeast!! What is Yeast? Yeast is a eukaryote, a living thing, like us, and is a type of fungi. The cool thing about yeast is that it is a unicellular organism, or single-celled, but it has characteristics and can be compared to multicellular organisms like us humans. Is Yeast Living?? …
Episode 26: Volcanoes – Welcome to SEASON 2!!!!!
On this “lavaly” (lovely) episode of Spectacular Science, we are talking about Volcanoes. These mega-mounds of lava have lots of mysteries hidden inside of them. Grab your beach gear because it about to get as hot as lava. We will discover the secrets behind volcanoes and why they actually help…create land!!!???! Please contact our podcast …
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Greenhouse Effect!!: Is It Hot In Here?
The Greenhouse Effect is what climate change is caused by. This effect is when gases like Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Methane (CH4) are released into the atmosphere. These gases, also known as greenhouse gases trap the heat that the Sun beams out inside of Earth’s atmosphere. This causes the Earth to get hotter and hotter. …
The Nervous System: A Chain of Communicative Cells!!
NOTE: Check out our episode about the Nervous System!! What is the Nervous System? The nervous system is the collection of all the nerves in your body and its function is to receive and send information on what’s going with the body. The nervous system includes your brain and spinal cord. Your brain and spinal …
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Auroras!!!
What are Auroras? Auroras are lights that are only found at the North Pole and the South Pole. They light up the night skies with red, blue, and pink colors! These are known as “The Greatest Light Show on Earth!”. How do Auroras Happen? Auroras happen because of “solar winds”. The Sun releases a bunch …
Non-Newtonian Fluids!!
NOTE: Check out our episode about Matter!! What is a Non-Newtonian Fluid? A Non-Newtonian fluid is a substance that behaves like a solid and a liquid! If force is applied to the fluid, it is turned into a solid and if force is taken off the fluid, it becomes a liquid. How do Non-Newtonian Fluids …
Our Body’s Heroes!! White Blood Cells
What are White Blood Cells? White Blood Cells are cells in your body that are part of the Immune System. The Immune System is your body’s inner defense system. They hunt down viruses and bacteria and help clean them up. What do White Blood Cells do? White Blood Cells hunt down and get rid of …
Sound Waves
What are Sound Waves? Sound Waves are what sound travels in! They are little vibrations of air that travel through a medium or a material that it is travelling through. Sound Waves are why you can hear a jackhammer or my podcast!! How do Sound Waves Work? First, an object or person has to make …
What A Group Of Animals Is Called!!
On this post, you are going to learn what a group of specific animals are called (Ex. Cows is called a herd) A group of _____ is called… (Animals have been picked randomly) A group of… Cows: Herd A group of… Ants: Colony A group of… Spiders: Clutter or Clusters A group of… Hippos: Bloat …
How Does Lightning Happen?
NOTE: Check out our episode about Thunderstorms!! How Does Lightning Happen? First, we have to start off with a storm cloud. Tiny pieces of ice, which are actually frozen water droplets, clash around inside of the storm cloud. This clashing makes an electric charge that is then stored inside of the cloud. The positively charged …
Behold, The Great Water Cycle!!!
The water cycle is like an amusement park ride for water. It is why it rains and why there is water in the ocean. Evaporation: Evaporation is when water evaporates from the ground. This is when the sunlight heats the water and turns it into a gas called water vapor. Condensation: Condensation is when the …
How Does a Refrigerator Work?
How Does A Refrigerator Work? A Refrigerator is a device that keeps food inside of it cool to preserve it. Here is how a Refrigerator works. First, a fluid called Refrigerant is pumped from a container in the back of the Fridge. This Refrigerant gets pumped through the pipes inside of the cooling compartment (where …
Where’d You Get That DNA??
NOTE: To learn more, check out our episode about DNA!! What is DNA? Deoxyribonucleic acid or for short DNA is what tells the cells in our body what to do and how to function. DNA is in all of the cells in our body. Where is DNA found in cells? DNA lives inside chromosomes which are inside …
2020 Space Science Wrap-Up!
Since 2020 is almost over, this blog post is to honor all of the Space events that happened in 2020. Here is the list: Total Solar Eclipse could be visible over South America Lunar Eclipse over North America Lots of Meteor showers were visible all over the world Summer: Days get longer The Great Conjunction …
Tectonic Plates of the Earth
What are Tectonic Plates? Tectonic Plates are slabs of rock that are part of the crust, or the Earth’s outermost layer. Tectonic Plates helped form continents and mountains millions of years ago. Continents are still moving around the world!! This is because of Tectonic Plate movement. Earthquakes are also caused by Tectonic Plates. When the …
Episode 25: Season 1 FINALE!! – Masking Up For Safety
This episode is the Season 1 Finale! We are so happy that this podcast in 1 Season old! To wrap up the 1st season of the podcast and the year of 2020, we are talking about 2020’s greatest fashion statement, MASKS!! We will talk about how masks protect us from catching COVID-19 and other viruses. …
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The Effects of Climate Change
NOTE: Check out our episode about Climate Change to learn more! What is Climate Change? Climate Change is when the Earth’s temperature changes because of the environment. The temperature is changing because of Greenhouse Gases. These gases are produced whenever we burn stuff like gasoline for our cars. These gases trap the heat from the …
The Internal Combustion Engine! The WHAT??
What is the Internal Combustion Engine? The Internal Combustion Engine is a real mouthful to say. The Internal Combustion Engine is a mechanism found in trucks, cars, and some trains! The Internal Combustion engine, or I.C.E, as I like to call it helps the vehicle’s wheels move. How Does The Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Work? …
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Why Do Trees Go Dormant In The Winter?
NOTE: Check out our article about Plants and Trees!! Introduction Trees are living things, just like us. They are called organisms. You’ves seen that some trees lose all of their leaves in the Fall and go dormant or in a resting stage in the Winter. Only some trees do this weird behavior. We are going …
How Do Microwaves Work?
Even though we use microwaves in our kitchens every day, it is still very fascinating once you know how these machines work. How Do Microwaves Heat Up Food? Microwaves are a very complicated machine, but let me break it down for you. First, there is a device inside of the microwave called a Magnetron. This …
The Properties of Light
Reflection Reflection is the first property of light. This is when light bounces off a surface. Did you know that every time you see something, light is reflecting off the thing you are looking at! Light can bounce off smooth surfaces in a much orderly way and you can see your reflection on the surface, …
The Layers of the Earth
NOTE: Check out our episode about Planet Earth!! What are the layers of the Earth? Believe it or not, the Earth has layers just like an onion! Let’s start at the top. The part we walk on is called the crust. It is a thin layer that harbors life. Next, is the mantle. This layer …
Episode 24: Telescopes!
On this episode of Spectacular Science, we are talking about telescopes: the revolutionary devices that help us see in far-off space. We will talk about the amazing science of how these machines work and why they are so important. We only have 1 more episode until the…SPECTACULAR SCIENCE SEASON 1 FINALE!!!!! Please send us your …
December 2020: The Great Space Events
December 2020’s Space Events The cosmic events will be listed below with the dates. If you get to see these events, send us pictures at spectacularsci.com/contact. December 13-14: The Geminids Meteor Shower will reach its maximum number of meteors December 14: A total Solar Eclipse will be visible in South America December 21-22: Ursids Meteor …
The “Christmas Star”: The Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn
NOTE: This image has been zoomed in for maximum quality. What is the “Christmas Star”? The Christmas Star or the Great Conjunction is when Jupiter and Saturn get the closest in their orbit around the Sun. This only happens every 800 years, so this is a very rare event! The two planets look like a giant …
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Jupiter: The Gas Giant
NOTE: Check out this episode about Jupiter! What is Jupiter? Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun. It comes after the Asteroid Belt. It is a gas giant which means it is mostly made out of gases like Hydrogen and Methane. Jupiter is the BIGGEST planet in the Solar System! The Giant Numbers of …
Viruses!!! DANGER!!!
What is a virus? A virus is infectious object that depends on living organisms’ cells to multiply. They are bad for living organisms and take over cells. What do viruses do to make us sick? Viruses infect a body and travel to a cell and inject it’s DNA code into the cell which will make the virus …
Chemical Changes of Matter
NOTE: Check out our episode on Matter to learn more! NOTE: We have wrote about Physical Changes of Matter. Please check it out! Matter Matter is anything that takes up space in the universe. Everything is made of atoms, which are tiny packets of material. Matter comes in three states: solids, liquids, and gases. What …
Physical Changes of Matter
NOTE: Check out our episode on Matter to learn more! NOTE: We are going to write about Chemical Changes of Matter tomorrow! Matter Matter is anything that takes up space in the universe. Everything is made of atoms, which are tiny packets of material. Matter comes in three states: solids, liquids, and gases. What are …
Episode 23: Matter – It Really Matters!!
On this episode of Spectacular Science, we are going to learn about the thing that is everywhere: Matter!! We will talk about the different states of matter and the scientific matter tricksters, non-Newtonian fluids! Here is an activity! It is called The Recipe For Oobleck: A Non-Newtonian Fluid. (https://spectacularsci.com/the-recipe-for-oobleck/) Here is an article! It is …
Lunar Eclipses
What is a Lunar Eclipse? A Lunar Eclipse is when the Moon moves into the Earth’s shadow. The Sun is shining on the Earth and the Moon is behind the Earth. This causes the Moon to appear like it has changed color! Does the Moon Really Change Color? No, the Moon does NOT change color. …
Solar Eclipses
What is a Solar Eclipse? A Solar Eclipse is a natural phenomenon when the Moon blocks part of or the full Sun when viewed from Earth. Solar Eclipses only happen about 2-4 times every year. This includes from different parts of the world! Total Solar Eclipses are very rare. NOTE: Remember, Solar Eclipses and Lunar …
The Tale of Saturn’s Rings
All About Saturn Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun. It is a gas giant which means it is mostly made out of thick gases. Some of those gases are Hydrogen and Methane. It has about 62 moons and more waiting for confirmation. Saturn is the second most largest planet in the Solar System. …
Stars: Twinkling Balls of Gas
What are Stars? Stars are giant balls of gas in space. The stars are very hot! They can be up to 800,000 degrees fahrenheit! Our own Sun is also a star. It supplies us with light and heat. How do Stars Get So Hot? This is how stars get very hot. A star is filled …
Did Mars Once Have Water?
Mars Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is a terrestrial planet which means it is made out of rocks and metals. It is named after the Roman God of War. The days and seasons on Mars are similar to the days and seasons on Earth. A year on Mars is 687 Earth …
Moon Dust: Aaa…CHOO
The Moon Our moon is a natural satellite. This is a natural object that orbits or circles around a planet or star. The moon is believed to have been an irregular piece of our planet that got knocked off by a comet. The moon has a very light atmosphere called an exosphere. The moon also …
Episode 22: Brain Freezeeeeeee!!!!!
On this episode of Spectacular Science, we are talking about the science of a brain freeze! This will be a very long-wordy episode. We will also learn about how to prevent these ice cream headaches. To contact us, got to spectacularsci.com/contact to find our contact form. Here is an activity! It is called Brain Freeze …
Dry Ice
What is dry ice? Dry ice is not just regular ice, it is special! Dry ice is the solid or frozen form of Carbon Dioxide. This means that the gas called Carbon Dioxide was frozen in sub-zero temperatures. It is almost 5 times colder than water ice! Dry ice can result in serious frostbite, so …
It’s Raining Diamonds!!
On Uranus & Neptune, it rains… diamonds?!?!! You might think that it only rains diamonds in fairy tales or movies, but it turns out that it actually rains diamonds on Uranus and Neptune! These diamonds fall towards the cores of these planets! These diamonds are not the size of ring diamonds, they are the size …
Is There Life on Venus? Maybe Not
NOTE: Check out our blog post called Cloud Aliens on Venus!!! This is an update to that post. What Did Scientists Find That Made Them Say That Life Is On Venus??? Scientists thought earlier that the clouds of Venus contained a chemical called Phosphine. Phosphine is when one Phosphorus atom is bonded or connected to three Hydrogen atoms. …
Cheetah Speed!!
What is a cheetah? A cheetah is a mammal that mostly lives in the African Savanna. It is covered in spots and has black markings under its eyes. Cheetahs are in the genus or family Panthera. They are related to big cats like tigers and lions. Cheetah Speed!!! Cheetahs are the fastest land animal on …
The Wise Owls: All About the Amazing Owls!!!
Owls? What are they? Owls are nocturnal birds that live on every continent, except Antarctica. They are flying birds that eat small rodents and other small birds. Owls are carnivores, meaning that they ONLY eat meat. The Superpowers of Owls!! Owls are almost like superheroes! They have many amazing powers. They have very big eyes …
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Episode 21: Climate Change
On this episode of Spectacular Science, we are talking about Climate Change. This event is wrecking the planet’s temperature. We will learn more about this and how to put an end to it. Here is an article! It is called The Greenhouse Effect. (https://spectacularsci.com/the-greenhouse-effect/) Here is an activity that goes with this episode. It is …
Episode 20: Planets of the Solar System: Neptune
On this episode of Spectacular Science, we are learning about the last planet from the Sun, Neptune! This is the last episode in our 8 part series about the planets of the Solar System. Here is an article to go with the episode. It is called The Solar System. (https://spectacularsci.com/the-solar-system-article/) Also, here is an activity! …
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Episode 19: Planets of the Solar System: Uranus
On this episode of Spectacular Science, we are talking about Uranus, the 7th planet from the Sun. We will talk about this “diamondy” planet (SPOILER ALERT!!) on this episode. Here is an article. It is called The Solar System. (https://spectacularsci.com/the-solar-system-article/) Here is an activity that goes with this episode. It is called Solar System Model. …
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Episode 18: Planets of the Solar System: Saturn
On this episode of Spectacular Science, we will learn about Saturn. We will tell the tale of Saturn’s rings and more on this episode of Spectacular Science. Here is an article. It is called The Solar System. (https://spectacularsci.com/the-solar-system-article/) Here is an activity that goes with this episode. It is called Solar System Model. (https://spectacularsci.com/solar-system-model/)
Episode 17: Planets of the Solar System: Jupiter
On this episode of Spectacular Science, we are going to learn about the mighty planet Jupiter!! We also have a special planet guest! This episode will also feature a travel commercial! To learn more, read this article about The Solar System. (https://spectacularsci.com/the-solar-system-article/) Here is an activity!! It is called Solar System Model. (https://spectacularsci.com/solar-system-model/)
Episode 16: Planets of the Solar System: Mars
On this episode of Spectacular Science, we are talking about our neighbor, Mars! We learn about this red planet on this episode. To learn more, read this article about The Solar System. (https://spectacularsci.com/the-solar-system-article/) Here is an activity!! It is called Solar System Model. (https://spectacularsci.com/solar-system-model/)
Episode 15: Planets of the Solar System: Earth
On this episode, we talk about Earth, our home planet. we will learn some interesting things on this episode. To learn more, read this article about The Solar System. (https://spectacularsci.com/the-solar-system-article/) Here is an activity!! It is called Solar System Model. (https://spectacularsci.com/solar-system-model/)
Episode 14: Planets of the Solar System: Venus
On this “stellar” episode of Spectacular Science (no pun intended) we are talking about our sister planet, VENUS!!! We will learn about this magnificent and “galactic” planet on this episode. Link to blog post: Cloud Aliens on Venus. (https://spectacularsci.com/2020/09/cloud-aliens-on-venus/) To learn more, read this article about The Solar System. (https://spectacularsci.com/the-solar-system-article/) Here is an activity!! It …
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Black Hole Image For The First Time
The radio telescope Event Horizon Telescope captured a image of a black hole!! The radio telescope (EHT) collected data about a black hole and the scientists decided that data and made it into an image!! It detected the X-ray light and Visible light from the Event Horizon of the black hole and scientists made that …
Episode 13: Heart Health and Keeping Your Heart Healthy!!
On this episode of Spectacular Science, we talk to Dr. Indranee Rajapreyar about Heart Health! On this episode, Dr. Rajapreyar tells us about the heart and some tips on how to keep your heart healthy on this episode. Also, we will be back next week with an episode about Venus!! To learn more, read this …
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Episode 12: Planets of the Solar System Part 1: Mercury
This is Part 1 of an 8 part series about the planets in our Solar System. On this episode (Part 1) we will learn about Mercury. The first planet from the Sun, We will learn more about this planet in this episode. To learn more, read this article about The Solar System. (https://spectacularsci.com/the-solar-system-article/) Here is …
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Cloud Aliens on Venus!!
New Update On This Scientific Study! Read the post “Cloud Aliens on Venus? Maybe Not!” here! × Dismiss alert Believe it or not, there might be microbial life in the clouds on Venus! Scientists have found microbes, or tiny living organisms in the clouds of Venus. Scientists have detected phosphine. Phosphine is when one phosphorous …
Mars: More About The Big Red Planet
We are going to learn about “the big red planet” called Mars! Introduction About Mars Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is a terrestrial planet which means it is made out of rocks and metals. It is named after the Roman God of War. The days and seasons on Mars are similar …
Episode 11: DNA
On this episode of Spectacular Science, we are talking about DNA, the instruction manual for humans. We learn about what DNA is and how it is used by cells on this episode. To learn more, read this article about DNA. (https://spectacularsci.com/dna/) Here is an activity that goes with this episode. It is called DNA Word …
Episode 10: Immune System
On this episode of Spectacular Science, we are talking about The Immune System. I am talking to Dr. Ramachandiran from Metaclipse Therapeutics about the Immune System. We will learn about our body’s inner defense system on this episode of Spectacular Science. To learn more, read this article about White Blood Cells. (https://spectacularsci.com/white-blood-cells/) Here is an …
Episode 9: Sleep
On this episode of Spectacular Science, we are talking about Sleep. Did you know there are stages of sleep? There are! We will learn all about them and more on this episode. Here is an activity that goes with the episode. It is called Sleep Cycle Match. (https://spectacularsci.com/sleep-cycle-match/) To learn more, read this article about …
Episode 8: Vaccines
On this episode of Spectacular Science, we are talking about vaccines! This lifesaving medicine that prevents us from catching viruses. We will talk to Dr. Vasanthi Govindu from Emory University. We learn about the science behind vaccines on this episode. To learn more read this article about The Father of Vaccinology. (https://spectacularsci.com/the-father-of-vaccinology/) Here is an …
Episode 7: Microphones
On this episode of Spectacular Science, we learn about the microphone. This amazing invention opened up a new era of sound. What is sound and what do microphones do and other questions are answered on this episode of Spectacular Science. To learn more, read this article about The First Microphone. (https://spectacularsci.com/the-first-microphone/) Here is an activity …
Episode 6: Thunderstorms
On this episode of Spectacular Science, we did some research on the mysterious thunderstorms. We learn how this set of events work. Learn what thunderstorms are and what thunder and lightning are in this episode. To learn more, read this article about The Water Cycle. (https://spectacularsci.com/335-2/) Here is an activity that goes with the episode. …
Episode 5: SPECIAL EDITION!!!! COVID-19
On this episode of Spectacular Science we talk to Dr. Srivenkatesh Ganeshan MD about COVID-19 which is why most of us are staying home. We learn about this very mysterious virus. If you have any questions for Dr. Srivenkatesh, go to spectacularsci.com/contact and we will pass on your question to Dr. Sri! If you want …
Episode 4: Yeast
On this episode of Spectacular Science, we talk to Akshara, a student of the Georgia Institute of Technology, about the amazing yeast. We learn what yeast is and what it can be used for in this episode. It will be used for more than you think! To learn more, read this article about Yeast. (https://spectacularsci.com/yeast/) …
Episode 3: The Nervous System
On this episode of Spectacular Science, we talk to Siddharth Poyapakkam about the nervous system. We learn about this very important system in our body that keeps us alive. To learn more, read this article about Nerves. (https://spectacularsci.com/nerves/) Also, here is an activity to go along with the episode. It is called Nervous System Unscramble …
DIY Solar Climbing Vehicle STEM Activity
I got this set as a present. I was very interested in putting this set together because this project is solar powered which means it is a renewable source of energy. This fun and interactive STEM building set is very kid-friendly and very fun to put together. The instructions were easy to read. Also, there …
Episode 2: Computers
On this episode of Spectacular Science, we talk to Mr. AJ to learn about computers. We learn about these machines we use in our everyday lives. Learn who invented them and what they can be used for in this episode. Learn more by reading this article about computers. (https://spectacularsci.com/computers/) Also, here is an activity that …
Episode 1: Plants and Trees
On this episode of Spectacular Science, we talk to Nilesh to talk about plants and trees. We learn many things about plants and trees. Even if they don’t say much or move much, they are still important to the ecosystem. Learn how they help living organisms and why they are in danger in this episode. …
Welcome to Spectacular Science – Podcast Trailer
Welcome to Spectacular Science, a science podcast for curious kids and families! Join our enthusiastic host and curious kid, Akshay Jayaraman, as he embarks on fascinating explorations into the world of science. In each episode, Akshay delves into interesting topics that make science come alive, captivating young minds and sparking a sense of wonder. From …
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