STEM with Dr. Owl

Discover the fascinating world of animal biology as we explore creatures that can outlive humans by hundreds of years. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they dive into the science of aging to uncover the secrets of 500-year-old sharks, ancient clams, and a jellyfish that can press the restart button on its own life! It's a time-traveling journey to meet the oldest animals on our planet. Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS1.B – Growth and Development of Organisms

In this episode, kids will learn the foundational chemistry of plastic molecules and the environmental science behind why plastic takes hundreds of years to break down. Join Dr. Owl, Curious Emma, and a very confused robot named Ziggy as they discover the sneaky "LEGO chains" that make up our everyday lunchboxes! Plus, play along with our interactive trivia to find out how small choices can help protect our oceans and wildlife. Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: 5-ESS3.C – Human Impacts on Earth Systems

🐾 Kids will learn the fundamentals of biology, animal classification, and the scientific naming system known as binomial nomenclature in this fun-filled episode! Discover why a mountain lion and a puma are the exact same cat, and find out the hilarious meanings behind the names of famous dinosaurs and silly insects. Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. 

Crystals grow from cooling magma and mineral-rich water using invisible building blocks called atoms. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy on a subterranean adventure from the glowing Earth's mantle to a secret dripping cave to solve the mystery of the "lava smoothie." You’ll even learn how to build your own crystals at home using simple kitchen ingredients! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ESS2.A – Earth Materials and Systems

Learn how microwave ovens use invisible electromagnetic waves to vibrate water molecules and create heat. Join Dr. Owl, curious Emma, and Ziggy the Robot as they discover why soup gets hot faster than crackers and why metal causes sparks inside the oven. Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: PS4.B – Electromagnetic Radiation & Heat Transfer

🖨️ Oh no! Ziggy broke his space helmet latch right before a mission! Join Dr. Owl and Emma as they fire up the lab's 3D printer to save the day. We’ll discover how these amazing machines act like robotic hot glue guns to build objects layer by layer—just like frosting a cake! 🍰 Parents, want to keep the learning going? Sign up for our email list to get useful science materials and activity sheets at orbitalowl.com! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ETS1.B – Developing Possible Solutions.

Kids will discover the real-world physics, math, and human biology behind why stopping a high-speed soccer penalty kick is so incredibly difficult. Learn exactly how fast the human brain can react to a 67-mile-per-hour ball and how goalkeepers use visual clues to predict the future. Join the team for a high-speed clapping experiment to test your reaction time and find out if you have what it takes to make a World Cup save! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS1.D – Information Processing

Children will learn the physics of the Magnus effect, aerodynamics, and how air pressure causes a spinning soccer ball to bend in flight. Join Emma and Dr. Owl as they investigate a mind-bending World Cup free kick while Ziggy tries to invent the ultimate knuckleball! Discover why a spinning ball creates an uneven push in the air to make a magical, curving shot. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: PS2.A – Forces and Motion

Children will discover the science behind droughts, evaporation, and the water cycle as they learn what happens when the Earth's natural water supply runs low. Join Emma, Dr. Owl, and Ziggy the Robot as they investigate a crunchy, brown backyard to solve the mystery of the missing water. Find out how plants sweat, where the mountains hide their frozen water, and how you can become an Earth water detective! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ESS2.C – The Roles of Water in Earth's Surface Processes

Discover the science behind what everyday things are made of in this exciting mailbag episode! Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they rapidly answer listener questions about the materials that make up our world, including the secrets of marker ink, how sand becomes glass, the origins of metal, and the difference between cement and concrete. 

Discover the fascinating plant biology and science behind how maple trees produce sweet, sticky syrup. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy the Robot as they brave a freezing spring forest to investigate how trees store sugar from photosynthesis and use freeze-thaw cycles to push out watery sap. You will also find out exactly how much sap needs to be boiled down just to get enough syrup for Ziggy's giant stack of pancakes! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS1.C – Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms

Children will learn the foundational concepts of astronomy and gravity by discovering how space detectives locate invisible black holes in the universe. Join Dr. Owl, Curious Emma, and Ziggy the Robot as they bust the myth of giant space vacuum cleaners, learn what happens when you squeeze a mountain into a marble, and explore the ultimate point of no return! It is an out-of-this-world adventure packed with fun trivia and mind-bending science facts. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ESS1.A – The Universe and Its Stars

Discover how volcanoes work, the difference between magma and lava, and why immense underground pressure creates volcanic eruptions. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they shake up a fizzy soda experiment to understand how sticky and runny lava shapes our planet. Along the way, explore how these fiery mountains act as Earth's safety valve and build brand-new islands! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ESS2.A – Earth Materials and Systems

Kids will discover the science behind how bubbles form, the role of soapy surface tension, and the physics of why they always shape into spheres. Join Emma, Dr. Owl, and Ziggy the Robot as they explore why bubbles float on air currents, where their swirling rainbow colors come from, and exactly what causes them to pop. Try the fun wet-finger experiment at home and see if Ziggy can ever make a square bubble! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: PS1.A – Structure and Properties of Matter

Learn the science behind how warm ocean water, rising moisture, and Earth's rotation combine to create massive hurricanes. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they build a mini-ocean experiment, discover the quiet "eye" of the storm, and find out the difference between a storm surge and a tsunami! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ESS2.D – Weather and Climate

Discover the science behind the fog, the math of Pi, and even what bugs eat in our very first summer mailbag episode! Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they rapidly answer listener questions about weather patterns, human biology, history, and the secret geometry hidden in every circle. From the shape of flags to why we need to trim our nails, we are clearing out the inbox with fun facts and silly robotic sound effects. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ESS2.D – Weather and Climate

Discover the fascinating science of plant biology and seed dispersal as we learn how plants use the wind, water, and animals to move their seeds to new homes. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy the Robot as they investigate whether a dandelion parachute could ever float all the way to outer space! Along the way, we'll uncover squirrel taxis, floating coconut boats, and even plants that shoot their seeds like tiny cannons. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS2.A – Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

Discover the science of how walkie-talkies use invisible radio waves to send voices through the air without cell towers. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they find out why talking at the same time makes "robot soup" and learn the golden rule of sharing the airwaves. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: PS4.C – Information Technologies and Instrumentation

Discover the amazing science of metamorphosis and butterfly life cycles as we explore exactly what happens inside a chrysalis. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they uncover hidden butterfly blueprints and learn why a caterpillar's transformation is like rebuilding a Lego set! Plus, find out what a "proboscis" is and why a butterfly's very first job isn't flying, but waiting. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS1.B – Growth and Development of Organisms

Children will learn about the human nervous system, touch sensors, and how the brain's ability to predict movement stops us from tickling ourselves. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they explore the science of surprises, uncover why our skin acts as a built-in alarm system, and find out if rats can laugh! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS1.D – Information Processing

Learn the engineering and physics behind how toilets work, from gravity-powered flushes to hidden trapways. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy the Robot as they answer a listener question and discover why the toilet is not a porcelain spaceship. Find out how a tiny water float acts as a bathroom lifeguard to keep your house clean and safe! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: PS2.A – Forces and Motion

The scene is set on a bright, sunny hilltop with a split sky: one half is a bright blue day, and the other half shows a vibrant, glowing green Aurora Borealis over a snowy peak. In the foreground, Dr. Owl is pointing up at the sky with one wing while holding a shiny glass prism that is casting a small rainbow. Emma is looking up in awe through a large, slightly oversized magnifying glass. Ziggy the Robot is trying to catch the rainbow from the prism in a glass jar, with a funny, determined tilt to his square head.

Discover the physics of light and exactly how lasers work to measure, scan, and communicate in the real world. We answer an excellent question about whether garage doors use real lasers or invisible infrared safety beams to prevent accidents. Join the team as they explore the difference between regular spreading light and highly organized laser beams, complete with a marching parade analogy and a hilarious grocery store scanning mix-up! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: PS4.B – Electromagnetic Radiation

Discover how your body’s amazing immune system defends itself against tiny insects using a chemical superpower called histamine! Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy the Robot as they explore the science behind mosquito saliva, blood vessels, and why ice is the ultimate secret weapon against the itch. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS1.A – Structure and Function

Discover how octopuses use specialized color-changing skin cells called chromatophores and instant brain signals to camouflage in the ocean. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy the Robot as they dive deep underwater to uncover the science behind these real-life sea magicians. Plus, test your skills with two fun trivia games and learn how other animals like chameleons and arctic foxes hide in plain sight! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: 1-LS1-1 – Structure and Function

Discover the physics behind how animals like frogs, kangaroos, and lions launch themselves into the air! Emma, Dr. Owl, and Ziggy the Robot learn about how muscles store energy like a squished spring, and why long tails help animals balance mid-flight. Plus, find out why human legs just aren't built for jumping over the Eiffel Tower. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS1.A – Structure and Function.

In this episode, we travel back billions of years to discover the invisible forces that made the Earth start spinning in the first place! Join Dr. Owl, Curious Emma, and Ziggy the Robot as they explore giant space clouds, conduct a spinning chair experiment to learn about angular momentum, and solve the mystery of why our planet never slows down. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ESS1.B – Earth and the Solar System.

Kids will discover the physics of balance and how hydraulic systems allow powerful machines to lift heavy objects without tipping over. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they explore "liquid muscles" and turn a giant tow truck into a playground seesaw. We’ll learn how heavy engines act as secret counterweights to keep everything steady on the road! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: 3-PS2.A – Forces and Motion

Discover how tiny seeds grow into massive trees in this fun biology lesson covering plant life cycles, photosynthesis, and how trees make their own food. Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy the Robot learn about the "packed lunch" inside a seed, become Tree Ring Detectives, and find out how leaves turn sunlight into the oxygen we breathe. Let's see if Ziggy can grow a tree out of a metal bolt! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS1.C – Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms

Discover the secrets of seed dispersal and the life cycle of oak trees as we investigate why acorns drop from their branches. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they travel to the forest (and Australia!) to see how gravity and helpful squirrels help tiny baby plants find a new home. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS2.A – Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

In this biology episode, kids will learn the science behind animal communication, starting with the mystery of how and why cats purr. Join Emma, Dr. Owl, and Ziggy the robot as they discover the magic of the larynx, the amazing healing powers of a cat's vibration, and the secret waggle dance of honeybees! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS1.D – Information Processing

Discover how bats use their hands to fly and how they navigate the dark using the power of sound.   Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they explore the "finger-wings" of the world's only flying mammal. You'll learn the difference between flapping and gliding and find out why bats are the ultimate "sound ninjas" of the night sky!

Discover the fascinating world of animal biology as we explore creatures that can outlive humans by hundreds of years. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they dive into the science of aging to uncover the secrets of 500-year-old sharks, ancient clams, and a jellyfish that can press the restart button on its own life! It's a time-traveling journey to meet the oldest animals on our planet. Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS1.B – Growth and Development of Organisms

Children will learn the biology behind the five senses, specifically exploring how olfactory molecules and taste buds work together to identify complex flavors. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they conduct a sensory jellybean experiment and discover the hilarious reason why butterflies taste food with their feet!  Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS1.D – Information Processing

Children will learn the biology behind how viruses invade our cells and how active ingredients in hand sanitizer break them apart. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy the Robot as they uncover the scientific mystery of whether germs are actually alive and discover why destroying a virus is just like popping a water balloon! Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS1.A – Structure and Function

In this episode, kids will learn the foundational chemistry of plastic molecules and the environmental science behind why plastic takes hundreds of years to break down. Join Dr. Owl, Curious Emma, and a very confused robot named Ziggy as they discover the sneaky "LEGO chains" that make up our everyday lunchboxes! Plus, play along with our interactive trivia to find out how small choices can help protect our oceans and wildlife. Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: 5-ESS3.C – Human Impacts on Earth Systems

Learn the amazing biology and biomimicry behind how geckos, spiders, and tree frogs climb up walls without falling down! Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy shrink down to the microscopic level to explore dry molecular hugs, super-strong spider silk, and self-cleaning sticky frog toes. Discover how human scientists are copying nature's coolest tricks to invent things like gecko tape for space ninja lizard robots! Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: 1-LS1-1 – Structure and Function (Biomimicry)

Learn the fascinating materials science and physics behind adhesives, tape, and stretchy toys! Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy investigate microscopic bumps and sticky bonds to find out why duct tape is super strong, why Post-it notes are reusable, and how squishy sticky hands hold onto windows. Plus, find out why dust is the ultimate enemy of stickiness, and hear the amazing true story of how astronauts used duct tape on the Moon!  Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: 2-PS1-2 – Structure and Properties of Matter

Discover the future of space exploration, lunar habitats, and rocket fuel made from ice in this exciting astronomy adventure. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they learn what NASA has planned for Artemis III and find out why the Moon is the ultimate practice field for a human trip to Mars! Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ESS1.B – Earth and the Solar System

Learn the fundamental physics of motion, how engines transfer energy, and the mechanics of aerodynamics in this fast-paced episode. Listen as Emma, Dr. Owl, and Ziggy investigate a listener's question about the hidden systems that make vehicles drive, why engines desperately need oil to fight friction, and the clever design secrets that make race cars incredibly fast. Plus, find out why Ziggy's plan to use peanut butter to fix a squeak might be a hilarious disaster!

Kids will learn exactly how astronauts eat, sleep, and safely use the bathroom in the microgravity environment of the Orion spacecraft. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy the Robot as they discover why floating pizza crumbs are a serious hazard and how a space toilet acts just like a vacuum cleaner. Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ESS1.B – Earth and the Solar System

Kids will learn how the Artemis II spacecraft safely traveled around the Moon and back to Earth without ever landing. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy the Robot as they discover why this incredible test flight is a massive step toward future space exploration and trips to Mars. Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ESS1.B – Earth and the Solar System

Learn how the human nervous system works and why feeling pain is actually the body's helpful fire alarm. Discover the super-speedy message wires that travel over 200 miles per hour straight to the brain, and find out exactly how medicines like Tylenol act like earmuffs to turn down the "ouch" volume! Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS1.D – Information Processing

🐾 Kids will learn the fundamentals of biology, animal classification, and the scientific naming system known as binomial nomenclature in this fun-filled episode! Discover why a mountain lion and a puma are the exact same cat, and find out the hilarious meanings behind the names of famous dinosaurs and silly insects. Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. 

Kids will learn about the different zones of the ocean, underwater geography like the continental shelf and the Mariana Trench, and the unique adaptations of deep-sea creatures. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they board a special science submarine and travel from the sunny beach all the way to the darkest depths of the sea! Discover giant underwater mountains, glowing anglerfish, and find out if Mount Everest could fit at the bottom of the ocean. Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ESS2.A – Earth Materials and Systems

Discover the fascinating earth science and geology behind how giant mountains and rocks break down to create the sand on our beaches. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy the robot as they explore the slow but powerful process of weathering, from ice karate-chopping boulders to rivers acting like giant rock blenders. You will even learn why some sand is pink and why you might be stepping on ancient dinosaur crumbs!  Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ESS2.A – Earth Materials and Systems (Weathering)  

Learn how gravity and mass keep us on the ground and why people in Australia aren't actually standing upside down. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy the Robot as they discover the "Stuff Rule" and find out why the Moon has a much weaker gravity hug than Earth. Plus, see what happens when Ziggy tries to find a "gravity off" switch on a robot! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: PS2.B – Types of Interactions (Gravity)

Kids will learn the science behind thunderstorms, discovering how cumulonimbus clouds form and why lightning creates the loud shockwave of thunder. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they answer a fantastic question from 6-year-old Ellie, find out exactly how hot a lightning bolt really is, and learn a fun counting trick to figure out how far away a storm is! Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ESS2.D – Weather and Climate

Learn how bats fly using wing anatomy, mammal biology, and echolocation to navigate in the dark. In this fun and interactive episode, kids discover how bats use their hands as wings, how flight works, and why bats are the only mammals that truly fly. Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS1.A – Structure and Function

Discover the invisible science of radio waves, cell towers, and underground networks that allow mobile phones to send text messages across the world. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy the Robot as they uncover how a picture of a kangaroo travels from Australia in just one second! Test your knowledge with fun trivia and learn why phone signals don't rely on tiny mail carriers. Want more fun science? Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: PS4.C – Information Technologies and Instrumentation