It’s Good to Be Smart!

Earth’s geology and life are deeply connected—rocks help create soil, soil supports life, and living things reshape the land. This episode brings the series together by showing Earth as an interconnected system and exploring our role in caring for it.   This episode is part of a rock-solid season of It’s Good to Be Smart!—where terrible puns meet seriously important science as we dig into Earth from the inside out. From shifting plates and shaking faults to exploding volcanoes, cycling rocks, and the everyday forces that shape the ground beneath your feet, each episode uncovers how our dynamic planet really works. By the end, you’ll see Earth as one big, connected system—and you might even groan your way into becoming a geology expert.   Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Earth’s surface is shaped by everyday forces like water, wind, ice, plants, and gravity. This episode focuses on how rocks are broken down and moved, creating familiar landforms all around us.   This episode is part of a rock-solid season of It’s Good to Be Smart!—where terrible puns meet seriously important science as we dig into Earth from the inside out. From shifting plates and shaking faults to exploding volcanoes, cycling rocks, and the everyday forces that shape the ground beneath your feet, each episode uncovers how our dynamic planet really works. By the end, you’ll see Earth as one big, connected system—and you might even groan your way into becoming a geology expert.   Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Rocks may look boring, but they’re constantly forming, changing, and recycling. This episode shows how the three rock types are connected through an ongoing cycle of change.   This episode is part of a rock-solid season of It’s Good to Be Smart!—where terrible puns meet seriously important science as we dig into Earth from the inside out. From shifting plates and shaking faults to exploding volcanoes, cycling rocks, and the everyday forces that shape the ground beneath your feet, each episode uncovers how our dynamic planet really works. By the end, you’ll see Earth as one big, connected system—and you might even groan your way into becoming a geology expert.   Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Volcanoes are Earth’s pressure valves, releasing heat and material from deep below the surface. This episode explains why some volcanoes erupt explosively while others quietly spill lava.   This episode is part of a rock-solid season of It’s Good to Be Smart!—where terrible puns meet seriously important science as we dig into Earth from the inside out. From shifting plates and shaking faults to exploding volcanoes, cycling rocks, and the everyday forces that shape the ground beneath your feet, each episode uncovers how our dynamic planet really works. By the end, you’ll see Earth as one big, connected system—and you might even groan your way into becoming a geology expert.   Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Earthquakes happen when stress builds up and suddenly snaps along faults in Earth’s crust. This episode unpacks why earthquakes happen where they do and how scientists measure and study them.   This episode is part of a rock-solid season of It’s Good to Be Smart!—where terrible puns meet seriously important science as we dig into Earth from the inside out. From shifting plates and shaking faults to exploding volcanoes, cycling rocks, and the everyday forces that shape the ground beneath your feet, each episode uncovers how our dynamic planet really works. By the end, you’ll see Earth as one big, connected system—and you might even groan your way into becoming a geology expert.   Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

The continents don’t sit still—they ride on massive plates that slowly move, collide, and pull apart. This episode explains plate tectonics and why moving plates explain so many of Earth’s biggest features.   This episode is part of a rock-solid season of It’s Good to Be Smart!—where terrible puns meet seriously important science as we dig into Earth from the inside out. From shifting plates and shaking faults to exploding volcanoes, cycling rocks, and the everyday forces that shape the ground beneath your feet, each episode uncovers how our dynamic planet really works. By the end, you’ll see Earth as one big, connected system—and you might even groan your way into becoming a geology expert.   Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Earth isn’t a solid ball—it’s made of distinct layers that behave differently and work together to shape everything we see on the surface. This episode explores what’s inside Earth and how scientists know without ever digging that deep.   This episode is part of a rock-solid season of It’s Good to Be Smart!—where terrible puns meet seriously important science as we dig into Earth from the inside out. From shifting plates and shaking faults to exploding volcanoes, cycling rocks, and the everyday forces that shape the ground beneath your feet, each episode uncovers how our dynamic planet really works. By the end, you’ll see Earth as one big, connected system—and you might even groan your way into becoming a geology expert.   Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

In this episode, we examine what happens when the immune system overreacts or gets confused, and explore four essential lifestyle habits—sleep, nutrition, exercise, and stress management—to help your internal defenders stay sharp and balanced. This episode is part of a series all about your amazing immune system, and the way it is designed to both prevent you from getting sick in the first place, and to fight off invading germs if they do break through the defenses. We'll also learn about different kinds of pathogens, how vaccines work, and things like allergies and autoimmune conditions. The big take-away: your immune system is awesome! Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com  Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day! It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

In this episode, Dr. Dave uses sports analogies to explain how vaccines act as "practice scrimmages" for the immune system, allowing your white blood cells to safely build protective memory so they are prepared to win the "real game" against dangerous diseases. This episode is part of a series all about your amazing immune system, and the way it is designed to both prevent you from getting sick in the first place, and to fight off invading germs if they do break through the defenses. We'll also learn about different kinds of pathogens, how vaccines work, and things like allergies and autoimmune conditions. The big take-away: your immune system is awesome! Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com  Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day! It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

In this episode, the focus shifts to the body's elite archives to explain how B-cells create custom-made "wanted posters" called antibodies and how memory cells store battle plans to ensure the body can shut down repeat invaders before you even feel sick. This episode is part of a series all about your amazing immune system, and the way it is designed to both prevent you from getting sick in the first place, and to fight off invading germs if they do break through the defenses. We'll also learn about different kinds of pathogens, how vaccines work, and things like allergies and autoimmune conditions. The big take-away: your immune system is awesome! Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com  Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day! It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

In this episode, the "Immunity League" assembles as we meet specific white blood cell heroes like the "big eating" Macrophages and the T-cell "Commanders," revealing how they use elite teamwork and communication to find and destroy invaders. This episode is part of a series all about your amazing immune system, and the way it is designed to both prevent you from getting sick in the first place, and to fight off invading germs if they do break through the defenses. We'll also learn about different kinds of pathogens, how vaccines work, and things like allergies and autoimmune conditions. The big take-away: your immune system is awesome! Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com  Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day! It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

In this episode, the "villains" of the microscopic world are unmasked as Dr. Dave defines the four major types of pathogens—bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites—and illustrates the different strategies these invaders use to hijack the body’s resources. This episode is part of a series all about your amazing immune system, and the way it is designed to both prevent you from getting sick in the first place, and to fight off invading germs if they do break through the defenses. We'll also learn about different kinds of pathogens, how vaccines work, and things like allergies and autoimmune conditions. The big take-away: your immune system is awesome! Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com  Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day! It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

In this episode, we explore "Fortress Mode" to discover how the body’s physical and chemical barriers—including skin, mucus, stomach acid, and even earwax—act as a protective castle wall that stops germs before they can ever get inside. This episode is part of a series all about your amazing immune system, and the way it is designed to both prevent you from getting sick in the first place, and to fight off invading germs if they do break through the defenses. We'll also learn about different kinds of pathogens, how vaccines work, and things like allergies and autoimmune conditions. The big take-away: your immune system is awesome! Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com  Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day! It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

In this episode, Dr. Dave introduces the immune system as a coordinated superhero team living inside you, explaining the fundamental differences between the rapid-response "innate" system you are born with and the highly specialized "adaptive" system that learns to recognize and remember specific threats. This episode is part of a series all about your amazing immune system, and the way it is designed to both prevent you from getting sick in the first place, and to fight off invading germs if they do break through the defenses. We'll also learn about different kinds of pathogens, how vaccines work, and things like allergies and autoimmune conditions. The big take-away: your immune system is awesome! Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com  Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day! It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode is all about Gregor Mendel, a less-than-famous (but very important scientist!) who helped deepen our understanding of the rules that govern how traits are passed on from parents to offspring..   This episode is part of a series about “less-than-famous scientists”—names you may have never heard before, but people you should know about! Each of these stories will help you understand more about the nature of science, and help you see how even small contributions can be important things that help us better understand our world.    Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode is all about Dimitri Mendeleev, a less-than-famous (but very important scientist!) who helped deepen our understanding of the properties of elements and how to organize them.   This episode is part of a series about “less-than-famous scientists”—names you may have never heard before, but people you should know about! Each of these stories will help you understand more about the nature of science, and help you see how even small contributions can be important things that help us better understand our world.    Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode is all about Christiaan Huygens, a less-than-famous (but very important scientist!) who helped deepen our understanding of many things, including creating more accurate clocks, explaining Saturn's rings, discovering moons around other planets, and the nature of light.   This episode is part of a series about “less-than-famous scientists”—names you may have never heard before, but people you should know about! Each of these stories will help you understand more about the nature of science, and help you see how even small contributions can be important things that help us better understand our world.    Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode is all about Dorothy Hodgkin, a less-than-famous (but very important scientist!) who helped deepen our understanding of the structure of complex molecules.   This episode is part of a series about “less-than-famous scientists”—names you may have never heard before, but people you should know about! Each of these stories will help you understand more about the nature of science, and help you see how even small contributions can be important things that help us better understand our world.    Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode is all about Subrhmanyan Chandrasekhar, a less-than-famous (but very important scientist!) who helped deepen our understanding of how stars develop and change over time, and what happens when stars run out of fuel.   This episode is part of a series about “less-than-famous scientists”—names you may have never heard before, but people you should know about! Each of these stories will help you understand more about the nature of science, and help you see how even small contributions can be important things that help us better understand our world.    Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode is all about Edward Jenner, a less-than-famous (but very important scientist!) who helped deepen our understanding of vaccines and how to prevent viral diseases.   This episode is part of a series about “less-than-famous scientists”—names you may have never heard before, but people you should know about! Each of these stories will help you understand more about the nature of science, and help you see how even small contributions can be important things that help us better understand our world.    Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode is all about Joseph Priestly, a less-than-famous (but very important scientist!) who helped deepen our understanding of the chemistry of air.   This episode is part of a series about “less-than-famous scientists”—names you may have never heard before, but people you should know about! Each of these stories will help you understand more about the nature of science, and help you see how even small contributions can be important things that help us better understand our world.    Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode is all about Barbara McClintock, a less-than-famous (but very important scientist!) who helped deepen our understanding of how genetics really works.   This episode is part of a series about “less-than-famous scientists”—names you may have never heard before, but people you should know about! Each of these stories will help you understand more about the nature of science, and help you see how even small contributions can be important things that help us better understand our world.    Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode is all about Wangari Maathai, a less-than-famous (but very important scientist!) who helped deepen our understanding of how planting trees can help push back the desert, and how to use science as a force for social good.   This episode is part of a series about “less-than-famous scientists”—names you may have never heard before, but people you should know about! Each of these stories will help you understand more about the nature of science, and help you see how even small contributions can be important things that help us better understand our world.    Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode is all about Henrietta Leavitt, a less-than-famous (but very important scientist!) who helped deepen our understanding of just how gigantic the universe actually is.   This episode is part of a series about “less-than-famous scientists”—names you may have never heard before, but people you should know about! Each of these stories will help you understand more about the nature of science, and help you see how even small contributions can be important things that help us better understand our world.    Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode is all about John Snow, a less-than-famous (but very important scientist!) who helped deepen our understanding of how diseases spread, and how using data to track diseases can help us fight back.   This episode is part of a series about “less-than-famous scientists”—names you may have never heard before, but people you should know about! Each of these stories will help you understand more about the nature of science, and help you see how even small contributions can be important things that help us better understand our world.    Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode is all about Lise Meitner, a less-than-famous (but very important scientist!) who helped deepen our understanding of nuclear fission.   This episode is part of a series about “less-than-famous scientists”—names you may have never heard before, but people you should know about! Each of these stories will help you understand more about the nature of science, and help you see how even small contributions can be important things that help us better understand our world.    Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode is all about Alfred Wegener, a less-than-famous (but very important scientist!) who helped deepen our understanding of the Earth's structure.   This episode is part of a series about “less-than-famous scientists”—names you may have never heard before, but people you should know about! Each of these stories will help you understand more about the nature of science, and help you see how even small contributions can be important things that help us better understand our world.    Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode is all about Thales of Miletus, a less-than-famous (but very important scientist!) who helped deepen our understanding of science as a way of thinking.   This episode is part of a series about “less-than-famous scientists”—names you may have never heard before, but people you should know about! Each of these stories will help you understand more about the nature of science, and help you see how even small contributions can be important things that help us better understand our world.    Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode is intended to help you answer two key questions: 1: What is Science? 2: Who is a Scientist? In the process of answering these questions we'll learn more about the nature of science--how it works, how people do it, and what it all means.   This episode is part of a series about “less-than-famous scientists”—names you may have never heard before, but people you should know about! Each of these stories will help you understand more about the nature of science, and help you see how even small contributions can be important things that help us better understand our world.    Each season of this podcast has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode will help you answer the question, “What's the deal with viruses?” Are viruses alive? Or are they non-living-but-similar-to-living-things? Or are they something else entirely? This episode will give you some food for thought so you can start to make up your own mind!   Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   This episode is part of a series all about understanding the nature of life—the characteristics of living things, how we classify life, and even where life comes from. Each season has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode will help you answer the question, “How do we classify living things?” and it will introduce you to the seven-level classification system that biologists use to make sense of the wild diversity of different kinds of organisms we see on this planet!   Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   This episode is part of a series all about understanding the nature of life—the characteristics of living things, how we classify life, and even where life comes from. Each season has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode will help you answer the question, “What is the difference between bacteria and humans?” That might sound like a ridiculous question, but you might be surprised to see the things humans and simple, single-celled creatures have in common. (And, you're right...there are also some pretty humongous differences between them as well!) You'll also meet another interesting domain of life in this episode: Archaea!   Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   This episode is part of a series all about understanding the nature of life—the characteristics of living things, how we classify life, and even where life comes from. Each season has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode will help you answer the question, “How do we know biogenesis is true?” by exploring several important experiments from the history of science--some pretty clever ideas by some exceptional scientific minds!   Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   This episode is part of a series all about understanding the nature of life—the characteristics of living things, how we classify life, and even where life comes from. Each season has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode will help you answer the question, “Where does life come from?” and introduces the (debunked) theory of spontaneous generation and the (strongly supported by evidence) theory of biogenesis.   Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   This episode is part of a series all about understanding the nature of life—the characteristics of living things, how we classify life, and even where life comes from. Each season has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode will help you answer the question, “How do we know all living things are made of cells?”--an introduction to the three parts of cell theory, and the historical development of this essential theory for understanding biology!   Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   This episode is part of a series all about understanding the nature of life—the characteristics of living things, how we classify life, and even where life comes from. Each season has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode will help you answer the question, “What are the layers of organization within an organism?” from organic compounds up to cells, all the way up to whole creatures!   Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   This episode is part of a series all about understanding the nature of life—the characteristics of living things, how we classify life, and even where life comes from. Each season has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode will help you answer the question, “What are organic compounds?” and give you an introduction to the chemistry of life: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.   Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   This episode is part of a series all about understanding the nature of life—the characteristics of living things, how we classify life, and even where life comes from. Each season has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode will help you answer the question, “How do we recognize living things?” and help you understand key characteristics that ALL living things have in common.   Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   This episode is part of a series all about understanding the nature of life—the characteristics of living things, how we classify life, and even where life comes from. Each season has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode will help you answer the question, “What is the difference between 'living,' 'non-living,' and 'dead?'" That might sound obvious, but this episode will help to clarify the meanings of these important terms, and use the illustration of an ecosystem to see how living, non-living, and dead things interact in the real world.   Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day!   This episode is part of a series all about understanding the nature of life—the characteristics of living things, how we classify life, and even where life comes from. Each season has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at https://goodtobesmart.com    It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode will help you answer the question, “What is Matter?” Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day! This episode is part of a series all about understanding the nature of matter. Each season has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at http://goodtobesmart.com  It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode will help you answer the question, “What are Atoms?” Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day! This episode is part of a series all about understanding the nature of matter. Each season has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at http://goodtobesmart.com  It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode will help you answer the question, “What are Some Properties of Matter?” Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day! This episode is part of a series all about understanding the nature of matter. Each season has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at http://goodtobesmart.com  It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode will help you answer the question, “How Can We Mix Up Different Types of Matter?” Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day! This episode is part of a series all about understanding the nature of matter. Each season has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at http://goodtobesmart.com  It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode will help you answer the question, “What are Physical and Chemical Changes in Matter?” Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day! This episode is part of a series all about understanding the nature of matter. Each season has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at http://goodtobesmart.com  It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode will help you answer the question, “What is a Molecule?” Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day! This episode is part of a series all about understanding the nature of matter. Each season has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at http://goodtobesmart.com  It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode will help you answer the question, “What are Elements and Compounds?” Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day! This episode is part of a series all about understanding the nature of matter. Each season has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at http://goodtobesmart.com  It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode will help you answer the question, “What is the Periodic Table?” Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day! This episode is part of a series all about understanding the nature of matter. Each season has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at http://goodtobesmart.com  It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode will help you answer the question, “How Can We Identify Chemical Reactions?” Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day! This episode is part of a series all about understanding the nature of matter. Each season has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at http://goodtobesmart.com  It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This episode will help you answer the question, “How is Energy Related to Chemical Reactions?” Remember, “smart” is something we *become* as we learn new things. So, keep listening, keep learning, and keep getting smarter every day! This episode is part of a series all about understanding the nature of matter. Each season has a different thematic focus, so if you found this episode interesting or helpful, check out the rest of the episodes in this season! Instructional resources for this episode, including the script, a thinksheet, and alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards can be accessed for free at http://goodtobesmart.com  It’s Good to Be Smart! is created by Dr. Dave Mulder with support from the National Science Foundation through a grant from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (DUE-2243334). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Hey friends! I'm Dr. Dave, and welcome to "It's Good to Be Smart!"  This podcast is a chance for us to all keep learning things together, because there is always something new to discover. If you have your eyes and ears open, you can always learn something new–and get smarter in the process. So that’s the plan: each episode will be a short burst of learning, full of fascinating facts and super science stories. Subscribe so you never miss an episode!