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Science Underground

Science Podcasts

Science Underground is a two-minute podcast hosted by TED speaker and scientist Ainissa Ramirez. By the time you sip your coffee or eat your cereal, Science Underground explains a science topic in a fun and understandable way. The show explores a range of topics—some that are pulled right from the headlines, others are topics you’ve been wanting to know. Ainissa interviews tops scientists and translates their work in everyday language--arming you with science nuggets for the next lunch table chat, water cooler klatch, or cocktail party. Each week there is a separate topic that can be listened to before class or when you have a brief moment to spare. The ideas will give you much to think about long after the podcast is over. New episodes are released on Sunday mornings. (Many topics align with NGSS.)

Location:

United States

Description:

Science Underground is a two-minute podcast hosted by TED speaker and scientist Ainissa Ramirez. By the time you sip your coffee or eat your cereal, Science Underground explains a science topic in a fun and understandable way. The show explores a range of topics—some that are pulled right from the headlines, others are topics you’ve been wanting to know. Ainissa interviews tops scientists and translates their work in everyday language--arming you with science nuggets for the next lunch table chat, water cooler klatch, or cocktail party. Each week there is a separate topic that can be listened to before class or when you have a brief moment to spare. The ideas will give you much to think about long after the podcast is over. New episodes are released on Sunday mornings. (Many topics align with NGSS.)

Language:

English


Episodes

Using Science to Stop Your Mirror From Fogging Up

6/21/2020
The fog on your mirror after you shower can be prevented with a little dab of science. Find out how in just two minutes.

Duration:00:02:01

The Ancient Way to Sleep

6/14/2020
Our ancestors used to sleep differently. If you looked back you would see them sleep in two parts. The inventions of the light bulb and the clock changed this old way of sleeping.

Duration:00:02:01

How An Accident Led To Your Computer

6/7/2020
The way to make pure silicon chips was discovered when a chemist accidentally dipped his fountain pen into a crucible of molten tin instead of his inkwell.

Duration:00:02:01

How A Jiggling Gem Helps Your Watch Keep Time

5/31/2020
Deep in your watch is a small piece of quartz, which creates your clock's ticks and tocks.

Duration:00:02:01

The Lady Who Sold Time

4/25/2020
In the late 19th century, there was a woman in London name Ruth Beliville who sold time.

Duration:00:02:01

The Science of Fireworks

7/1/2016
Fireworks are a display of color and chemistry. Everyone loves fireworks, especially astronomers. Find out why.

Duration:00:01:59

How Fireflies Make New Medicines

6/26/2016
Fireflies light up the summertime night, but the glowing molecules inside them are also used by scientists to make new drugs.

Duration:00:02:01

Can We Make A Transporter?

6/19/2016
Lots of technologies on Star Trek have become a reality. But what is missing is the transporter. Lawrence Krauss, physicist and author, sheds some light on the possibilities.

Duration:00:02:01

Making Ketchup Hurry Up

6/12/2016
Ketchup takes a long time to come out of the bottle. Fortunately, science has a few answers for how to help ketchup hurry up.

Duration:00:01:59

ZOMBEES

6/5/2016
Honeybees are turning into zombie bees after a small fly injects a parasite into them. Scientists are asking everyone to report weird bees at zombeewatch.org.

Duration:00:01:59

How Animals Camouflage

5/29/2016
Get ready to be introduced to nature's best master of disguise--the cuttlefish.

Duration:00:02:00

Smart Shirts

5/22/2016
In the future, you will be able to download data from your shirt, which has electronics embedded in the fabric.

Duration:00:02:00

How Lightning Makes Magnets

5/15/2016
When lightning bolts zap iron minerals they make magnets called lodestones. NASA scientists coax bolts to strike rocks using a trick from Ben Franklin.

Duration:00:01:59

Say Cheese, Pandemic

5/8/2016
There are special cameras, called thermal cameras, that can detect heat. These cameras are the first defense against threats and diseases.

Duration:00:02:00

Saving Monarch Butterflies

5/1/2016
Twenty years ago, there were a billion monarch butterflies. Now, there are less than 10 percent of them left. Their disappearance is linked to a weed.

Duration:00:01:59

Meat Grown in a Lab

4/24/2016
Scientists can now grow beef outside of the cow. In the not-so-distant future, you might get your burger from a beaker.

Duration:00:02:01

How Animals Gossip

4/17/2016
Imagine if we could talk to the animals. To do so, we will have to think about time differently.

Duration:00:02:01

How Plants Know Which Way Is Up

4/10/2016
Seeds that are buried deep in the soil need to figure out which way their roots and stem should go. Ends up they have special cells to tell them what's up.

Duration:00:02:01

Bubbles that Print

4/3/2016
Deep in your ink jet printer are millions of explosions, which cause bubbles that help you print.

Duration:00:02:01

Space Suit Secrets

3/27/2016
Astronauts wear special suits so that they can work many hours in space. Find out about a special accessory they wear, which is very useful if they drank too much Tang in the morning.

Duration:00:01:59