Constant Wonder KIDS

A cello might seem like an unusual place for a beehive, but for Martin and Deirdre Bencsik, it was a beautiful experiment. By carefully placing bees inside a cello, a bee sound researcher and a classical musician discovered what happens when music, listening, and the natural world come together. Guests: Martin Benscik, sound researcher, and Deirdre Benscik, cellist

After sharing her experiences with powerful leopard seals in a previous Winter Wonders episode, field biologist Naira de Gracia returns to take us even deeper into life on Antarctica’s icy coast—this time with the lively and adorable fur seals. In this mini-episode, Naira describes what it’s like to work around these energetic animals, how scientists learn more about fur seals, and the wonder she...

While kayaking through the remote Arctic, explorer and author Jon Waterman had an unforgettable—and unexpected—meeting with a wild polar bear. In this Winter Wonders mini-episode, Jon shares the heart-pounding moment, what he learned about these powerful predators, and how the experience shaped his understanding of the rapidly changing Arctic. Guest: Jon Waterman, author of Into the Thaw: Witnessi...

Field biologist Naira de Gracia has spent seasons working in Antarctica’s icy world, where penguins rule the shoreline. In this Winter Wonders mini-episode, she shares her close-up encounters with these hardy, hilarious birds and what she learned in the coldest place on Earth. Guest: Naira de Gracia, field biologist and Antarctic researcher

Arctic explorer Jon Waterman has spent years traveling through some of the coldest, wildest landscapes on Earth—places where wolves still roam free. In this Winter Wonders mini-episode, he shares his surprising encounters with these intelligent animals and their life in the true North. Guest: Jon Waterman, author of "Into the Thaw: Witnessing Wonder Amid the Arctic Climate Crisis"

While working as a field biologist in Antarctica, Naira de Gracia sometimes crossed paths with one of the continent’s most impressive animals—the leopard seal. In this Winter Wonders mini-episode, hear her stories of unexpected close encounters and life in the frozen south. Guest: Naira de Gracia, field biologist and author of "The Last Cold Place: a Field Season Studying Penguins in Antarctica"

Wilson Bentley loved snowflakes so much that he spent his life trying to understand them—catching them gently and photographing their beautiful, intricate shapes. Discover how his curiosity and patience helped the world see snowflakes in a whole new way. Guest: Wayne Howe, President of the Jericho, Vermont Historical Association

Biologist and author David Haskell listens closely to the sounds of nature—from bugs chewing leaves to wind singing through trees. Discover how tuning in to nature’s music helps us understand and connect with the world around us. Guest: David Haskell, Biologist and Author of Sounds Wild and Broken Link to Season 4 Printable: https://www.byuradio.org/c8fae09b-f976-4649-b45f-418575c09804

When a young orca named Springer was found alone and far from her family, veterinarians, whale experts, and volunteers worked together to help her heal. With care, teamwork, and a little luck, Springer found her way back home to her ocean family! Guest: Donna Sandstrom, Founder and Executive Director of The Whale Trail Link to Season 4 Printable: https://www.byuradio.org/c8fae09b-f976-4649-b45f-41...

Biologist and author Thor Hanson loves to explore the outdoors—and he says the best discoveries happen when you slow down and really look. Learn how paying attention to the small wonders around you can make any walk an adventure! Guest: Thor Hanson, Biologist and Author Link to Season 4 Printable: https://www.byuradio.org/c8fae09b-f976-4649-b45f-418575c09804

When giant panda Qian Qian needed help, conservation biologist Jake Owens was there—first as her teacher, then as her rescuer, and always as her friend. Discover how their special bond helped Qian Qian heal and thrive. Guest: Jake Owens, Conservation Biologist and Director of Conservation at the Los Angeles Zoo Link to Season 4 Printable: https://www.byuradio.org/c8fae09b-f976-4649-b45f-418575c098...

We use our sense of sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch to understand the world and animals do, too! Jackie Higgins explains how even though our bodies are different, humans and animals have more in common than you might think. Guest: Jackie Higgins, author of "Sentient: How Animals Illuminate the Wonder of Our Human Senses" Link to Season 4 Printable: https://www.byuradio.org/c8fae09b-f976-4649...

You might think you know about life on earth, but scientist Karen Lloyd knows where to find tiny microbes that are anything but ordinary. Meet the microbes who live in the extremes! Guest: Karen G. Lloyd, Wrigley Chair in Environmental Sciences, Professor of Marine and Environmental Sciences at the University of Southern California Link to Season 4 Printable: https://www.byuradio.org/c8fae09b-f976...

Undetectable to human ears, infrasound can teach us more about how elephants communicate and when volcanoes erupt. Join scientists Jeffrey Johnson and Caitlin O’Connell-Rodwell to learn more about infrasound. Guests: Caitlin O’Connell-Rodwell, instructor at Harvard Medical School, elephant expert, and founder and CEO of Utopia Scientific Jeffrey Johnson, associate professor of Geoscience at Boise...

Curlews used to be a beloved part of the English landscape, but in the past century, these fascinating birds have been disappearing. Conservationist Mary Colwell decided to walk 500 miles to raise awareness for the birds she loves. Guest: Mary Colwell, Director of Curlew Action, conservationist, author of “Curlew Moon”

Over 100 years ago, explorer Ernest Shackleton’s ship The Endurance sank to the bottom of the sea. Join archaeologist Mensun Bound to hear about how he set sail to find the lost Endurance. Guest: Mensun Bound, archaeologist and Director of Exploration on the 2019 and 2022 expeditions to locate Shackleton’s Endurance

This Egyptian cat statuette is here to set the record straight. Yes, she’s a little bit of a diva, but don’t all cats deserve to be worshiped? No, she’s not really the goddess Bastet, just an offering to her, thank you very much. And no, she’s certainly no phony! Hear about the role of cats in ancient Egypt and how this statuette proved her age, with a little help from some conservation scientists...

Can plants fight off infections? Ethnobotanist Cassandra quave takes us into the rainforest to discover amazing plants and how they can help take care of human bodies. Guest: Cassandra Quave, author of “The Plant Hunter: A Scientist’s Quest for Nature’s Next Medicines” and Associate Professor of Dermatology and Human Health at Emory School of Medicine

As a vet on faraway islands, Joe Hollins is used to an element of adventure when caring for animals. Whether he’s helping a herd of skittish reindeer or caring for a tortoise born in the 1800s, Joe knows that humans can make a difference when helping animals. Guest: Jonathan Hollins, author of “Vet at the Edge of the Earth: Adventures with Animals in the South Atlantic”

Sy Montgomery shares her most recent group of animal friends- a flock of chickens! Learn about how chickens think and behave and what we can do to experience wonder through our animal neighbors.

A bee brain might be tiny, but Dr. Lars Chittka knows there’s a lot more to these buzzing pollinators than meets the eye. Learn how bees can solve problems, play with toys, and even feel emotions! Guest: Lars Chittka, professor of Sensory and Behavioral Ecology at Queen Mary University of London and author of “The Mind of a Bee”

When Paula Whyman first started working on the land in her backyard, she had no idea how to turn it into a healthy ecosystem! With lots of help and hard work, Paula is now growing into the title of "naturalist"- and you can, too! Guest: Paula Whyman, author of “Bad Naturalist: One Woman’s Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop"

Eric Pittman loves taking pictures of the hummingbirds in his backyard. Over the years, he’s become a citizen scientist, documenting hummingbird societies up close and learning more about these amazing little birds. Guest: Eric Pittman, Hummingbirds Up Close Photo credit: Eric Pittman Hummingbird audio courtesy of Eric Pittman HUMMINGBIRD VIDEO HERE: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJXdtoJzsjb/?igs...

In 1938, the raging rapids of the Colorado River were untamed and the plants that grew there were unknown. Two botanists, Alzada Clover and Lois Jotter, set out to document the plants and in doing so became the first known women to raft the Colorado River. Guest: Melissa Sevigny, author of “Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon.” PRINT YOUR C...

In the animal kingdom, creatures big and small fight to get what they need to survive. Join us as Lee Dugatkin, an expert on animal interactions, explains how different species battle it out in the wild. Guest: Lee Dugatkin, professor of biology at the University of Louisville and author of “Power in the Wild: The Subtle and Not-So-Subtle Ways Animals Strive for Control over Others” PRINT YOUR COL...