Brains On! Science podcast for kids

Why are octopuses so smart?

Octopus, more like ROCK-topus! Because these creatures bring the excitement. They can shape shift to match their surroundings. They have three hearts and teeth on their tongues! And they are super smart. Join fill-in host Rosie duPont and co-host Izumi as they explore the world of their eight-armed wonders. They’re joined by Dr. Jennifer Mathers, a biologist and psychologist who studies octopus cognition, and Ophelia, who is a chatty octopus. You can also play along with our octopus themed game show. All that plus a brand new Mystery Sound and mail from our listeners! Guest:  [https://news.gm.com/home.detail.html/Pages/topic/us/en/2022/sep/0923-soundtrack-your-drive.html]Dr. Jennifer Mathers, author of Octopus Mind [https://www.wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org/animsent/vol4/iss26/1/] Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass [http://smartypass.org] to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! Click here [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-2M3oElDVRveZr0Sn6QSdXfm4jSTnopt/view?usp=sharing] for a transcript of this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Why do electric cars sound so unique?

You may have noticed that electric cars sound different from gas powered cars. The engine doesn’t rumble; instead, it might sound like a hum or even a song. Why is that? Ride along as we learn how electric cars work and why there is so much shush in their woosh. Plus, Molly and co-host Asher interview Jay Kapadia, a sound designer who programs the special noises of electric cars for General Motors. And speaking of special noises, we’ve got a car sounds game show plus a new Mystery Sound! Guest: Jay Kapadia [https://news.gm.com/home.detail.html/Pages/topic/us/en/2022/sep/0923-soundtrack-your-drive.html], Creative Sound Director of General Motors Want to support the show? Head to smartypass.org [http://smartypass.org] to subscribe or donate! Click here [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O5nliV9USQeqDInFVH0OcxkiCAdPzHR7/view?usp=sharing] for a transcript of this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Do fidget toys really help people focus?

Fidget toys are everywhere. There are ones you can squeeze, or click, or spin. Others are puzzles or have cool textures to touch. Some classrooms even have fidget toys for students, but do they help kids concentrate or are they just a distraction? Molly and co-host Penelope team up with an unconventional band to learn why we fidget in the first place. Plus, neuroscientist Dr. Julie Schweitzer, from the UC Davis MIND Institute, answers questions about the science of fidget toys. All that plus a brand new Mystery Sound and peek into what's happening at the brand new Brains On Headquarters! Want to support the show? Head to smartypass.org [http://smartypass.org] to subscribe or donate! Click here [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1weEOxUiNC_gxnN3Z2rgZfZ-nf720h0iC/view?usp=sharing] for a transcript of this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

We’re back! Brains On Universe has a new headquarters

We’re back! We’ve officially moved into our new headquarters! Come unpack with us and get a tour while we fill you in on some big news. Plus, new episodes of Brains On coming later this month and new Smash Boom and Forever Ago after that. If you want to support the show or drop us a line, head to brainson.org [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbrainson.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7Clhumpert%40americanpublicmedia.org%7Cc8916b86364f492e178908de05f27929%7C8245ecb6b08841218e216c093b6d9d22%7C0%7C0%7C638954736152126086%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=QoP0jxHXjCVYrfvIz4%2FXZM8wy%2FnHFBTo51NJtOQuRXU%3D&reserved=0]. The best way to keep us going is to join Smarty Pass or donate here:  [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrainson.supercast.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Clhumpert%40americanpublicmedia.org%7Cc8916b86364f492e178908de05f27929%7C8245ecb6b08841218e216c093b6d9d22%7C0%7C0%7C638954736152154857%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=P%2FPxx1mVHb3nQmMONLqCL%2FKHhUeT0vt2TrScdc4lYq4%3D&reserved=0]https://brainson.supercast.com [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrainson.supercast.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Clhumpert%40americanpublicmedia.org%7Cc8916b86364f492e178908de05f27929%7C8245ecb6b08841218e216c093b6d9d22%7C0%7C0%7C638954736152179300%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=xC4%2BfJUg5xUvo4SxQkTHogdS7npwBIJd02Eh%2FLeSpEI%3D&reserved=0]. Thank you! See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

A big update about the Brains On Universe

We're moving the Brains On Universe Headquarters, and that means we have to stop putting out new episodes until we get settled. We know: not cool. But, our new home is going to be bigger and better and the absolute BEST. We can't wait until it's ready for you to visit. In the meantime, we still have some live shows planned this fall. Brains On Live will be in Dallas, TX on September 13. And Smash Boom Best will bring the debate heat to Princeton, NJ on October 26. Head over to brainson.org/events [https://www.brainson.org/events] to get tickets. We can't wait to high five you all in person! And, if you want to be the first to hear about our shiny, new home, sign up for our newsletter [https://www.brainson.org/newsletter]. There will be six more bathrooms, 10 more water slides and, we're finally going to fix the doorbell! Also, if you have any questions or want to reach out to us, you can still head to brainson.org/contact [http://brainson.org/contact] to get in touch. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.