It’s Good to Be Smart!

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 sm...

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...

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 y...

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...

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 gettin...

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 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 t...

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 a...

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 understandin...

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...

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 c...

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 li...

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 characteri...

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 thi...

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...

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 helpf...

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 ou...

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, che...

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 re...

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 interestin...

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...

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,...

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 o...

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 o...

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 sci...