A Spark of Science

Did you know that humans are part of a group of animals called tetrapods? Join us for this special episode with Finlay Cunniffe from the University of Glasgow, as we explore animal evolution.

Have you ever noticed that the inside of your toaster glows? Or that the wire in a lightbulb is still bright when you turn it off? In this week's episode, find out why.

What would happen if the Gulf stream disappeared?

Our sense of smell and taste can sometimes be down to very small difference in chemistry. In this week's episode we are going to explore how the shape of chemicals can lead to big differences.

A freshly brewed pot of coffee can transport us back to a happy memory. In this week's episode we are going to explore why there is a strong link between our sense of smell and our memory.

Elephants are often thought to have excellent memories, but how good are they are remembering? And what can kind of information do they remeber? In this week's episode, we are going to find out!

You might feel a bit sweaty after a workout, or if you have to face your fears! In this week's episode, we are going to find if we can tell from their sweat if someone is scared!

Thunder and lightning storms can be exciting and a bit scary! But why does lightning happen? In this weeks episode, we are going to find out!

A hot chily pepper can be a tasty treat or a painful snack! But why are some foods spicy? In this episode we find out.

Why do we get goosebumps when we get a fright? In this weeks episode, we look to our hairy ancestors to find out!

Have you ever wondered why your fingers get wrinkly in the bath? In this week's episode, we will find out.

Twinkling stars can come in different colours but what does this tell us about them? In this week's episode, we find out.

Rocks can explode out of volcanoes or form over millions of years. In this week's episode, we explore the amazing world of rock formation.

Plants provide oxygen for life on Earth, but there are other sources that have only recently been studied. In this week's episode we discover dark oxygen.

In this week's episode we find out how the pufferfish, pompom crab and pangolin protect themselves from predators.

Scotland is an exciting location for new spaceports, but what makes it a good place to launch rockets? Find out in this week's episode.

Listen in to this week's episode to find out how ears help us hear.

How rare is your eye colour and how does it develop? In this week's episode, we will find out!

There are thousands of metal satellites orbiting Earth. In this week's episode, we will explore a new type of satellite made of wood!

Discover the fuels of the future that could make air travel more environmentally friendly.

They are often found stuck to fridges holding shopping lists in place, but how do magnets work? In this week's episode we find out.

Explore the fascinating science behind ancient methods of preserving food that we still use today!

Explore the innovative technology that scientists are creating to provide medicines to astronauts of the future.

Discover why worms are the superheroes of our soil in this week's episode.

Explore the different ways that animals survive the winter in this week's episode.