Spectacular Science

Mitochondria! Also known as the “powerhouse of the cell”. It is the energy-producing organelle inside cells. How did this important part of cells originate? It’s not what you think! In this episode, I will take you into the science of cells, organelles, mitochondria, and break down the endosymbiotic theory. We will go back millions of years and take a look at the science that shaped us into the li...

The North Star, also known as Polaris, has been a huge part of human culture, navigation, and a signature part of the sky. It’s so special because it is aligned with Earth’s axis, meaning that it will always point north! But, recently, scientists have imaged the surface of Polaris, revealing many interesting things about this star! What have these scientists discovered and how are they able to do...

The Perseid Meteor Shower is a spectacular celestial event peaking August 11th-12th, 2024! Meteor showers, or shooting stars are events that happen when very special conditions are met. How do meteor showers happen? And, how can you watch the Perseids peaking in August 2024? In this episode, I will cover the science of the Perseids, how to watch them, and more. Here’s an article! It is called “The...

On July 23rd, a large explosion rocked Biscuit Basin at Yellowstone National Park. This explosion was said to be caused by hydrothermal activity under the park. What exactly caused this explosion and why is it important to study events like this? What’s the science going on underground at Yellowstone? In this episode, I will take you into hydrothermal science, Yellowstone Park, and explaining what...

You’re surrounded by air everywhere! But, how much does the air weigh? How much does the entire atmosphere weight? Why don’t we get crushed into pancakes because of the weight of the air above us? Find out more about air pressure, how it works, and revealing how much air actually weighs in this episode. Here’s an article! It is called “What is Air Pressure?” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/07/wha...

Space telescopes change the way we see the universe. July 12th, 2024 celebrates the second anniversary of the James Webb Telescope! Space telescopes are very interesting and the images they provide are even more mind-blowing. But, how do space telescopes work and how are they able to see galaxies that are so far away? In this episode, I will take you behind the science of space telescopes, how the...

From shaving cream, to mayonnaise, to maple syrup, to our skin! Soft matter is all around us. In fact, scientists study soft matter and “squishy physics”! Why do they study this? Why is it important? And, why does soft matter, like syrup, act so differently? In this episode, I will be speaking with Dr. Eric Weeks, a professor of physics at Emory University. He studies soft matter in his lab and kn...

You may not realize it, but ocean currents impact your everyday life! From food, to shipping, to the weather, ocean currents play a large role in your life. How do ocean currents and the global conveyor belt work? What causes ocean currents? What’s the science behind it? In this episode, I will take you underwater to uncover the science behind ocean currents and how they work. Here’s an article! I...

Science truly is all around you, and there’s no better example of that than granular physics! It’s the summertime and people are heading out to the beaches, relaxing, and building sandcastles! You’ve probably noticed that granular materials such as sand and even mixed nuts act in very strange ways! Why? And what’s the perfect way to take these granular materials into our control for us to use in e...

Earth’s moon is the spotlight of the night sky. It’s been Earth’s best friend for over 4 billion years. How did the Moon form in the first place? What theories do scientists have about the Moon and how it formed? In this episode, I will take you into the story of how the Moon formed, why humans are exploring the Moon, and more about Earth’s best friend! Learn more about NASA’s Artemis Moon mission...

Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons has been getting a lot of attention. In fact, NASA is sending a mission to Europa, known as the Europa Clipper in late 2024 to find out more about this special moon! Why do scientists want to investigate Europa and what does this have to do with searching for life on Europa? In this episode, I will blast you off into the science of Europa, and the search for life on...

Sound! It is all around us. We all know how sounds travel in air, but what about water? You’ve probably noticed sounds underwater when swimming at the pool or at the beach. Things sound louder and more defined, and it is very interesting to experience. Does sound travel differently through water? What is the science behind it? In this episode, I will take you behind the science of sound, water, an...

The color red is everywhere! But, have you noticed that most warning lights are red? Fire truck sirens, airplanes, brake lights, traffic lights, and even on top of skyscrapers! Why is the color red used in warning lights and what is the science behind it? In this episode, I will take you behind the science of the color red and why it is used as warning lights. Here’s an article! It is called “What...

One of the most identifiable features of the Moon are its millions of craters, formed by collisions in space. Why does the Moon have so many craters though? Is there a reason why? In this episode, I blast off to explore the science of the Moon, craters, and answering the question of why it has so many craters. Here’s an article! It is called “How Do Moons Form?” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/05...

Last Friday, May 10th, people from around the US, Canada, and Europe looked to the skies to see something amazing. The Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, was putting on a show. It wasn’t just another aurora, but this one was visible in places such as Georgia, Florida, and New York! How did the Northern Lights come this far down south? In this episode, I will be taking you into the...

Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. 1,300 Earths would fit in Jupiter! Since Jupiter is such a large planet, could it become a star like the Sun? In this episode, I explore the science of stars, Jupiter, and reveal if Jupiter ever was or could become a star. Here’s an article! It is called “All About Jupiter!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/05/all-about-jupiter/) Here’s an activit...

Fruits and vegetables are some of the most colorful things on Earth! From the bright red apples, to pink watermelon, to yellow bananas, colors are everywhere in nature. Is there a reason to why fruits are so colorful? Did this evolve over time? In this episode, I will take you into the science of fruits, why they’re different colors, and the role color plays in nature. Here’s an article! It is cal...

You’ve probably noticed that darker colors absorb more heat than lighter colors. Have you ever thought of why and how this happens? In this episode, I take you into the hidden science of color, heat, and how this interesting phenomenon happens! Here’s an article! It is called “Colors and Heat Absorption Science!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/04/colors-and-heat-absorption-science/) Here’s an ac...

Did you know scientists can manufacture cells for cell therapy? Cell therapy manufacturing is making cells in a lab and using it in humans to heal certain injuries. How does this process work and what is so special about it? In this episode, I will be speaking with Mr. Keshav Shah, a PhD student at Georgia Tech and Emory University, and a researcher in the cell manufacturing field. Mr. Shah knows...

On April 8th, 2024 (tomorrow!), a total solar eclipse will be visible over North America and parts of the United States. But, what is the science of solar eclipses, how do they happen, and how can people view them safely? In this special episode, I will be exploring the science of solar eclipses and how and when you can watch this very special eclipse safely tomorrow. Here’s an article! It is call...

Ever wondered how airplanes soar in the skies? What science goes into building and most importantly, maintaining aircraft? In this episode, I will be speaking with Mr. Jonel Murray, an aircraft mechanic and A220 Instructor/Developer from Delta Air Lines. Mr. Murray knows a lot about how airplanes work, how they are maintained, and how teamwork at Delta helps fly thousands of people around the worl...

Over 2 billion tons of sugarcane is produced around the world. When it is processed, waste is generated. This waste sits there or gets burned, polluting the environment. But, scientists at University of East London have figured out a way to turn the waste into Sugarcrete, construction materials made of sugarcane. In this episode, I will be talking to Ms. Oluchukwu Okonkwo, a research assistant for...

Colors are all around you. Without the colors that we see, life would be very different. How do humans see colors and what goes on in our brain to give us these colors? In this episode, I take you behind science of light and color, and explore the fascinating world of color perception. Plus, I will walk you through a colorful science experiment! This is the final episode of Season 6! I will be bac...

When a match, candle, or even campfire burns, what happens to it? Fire is dangerous, but when regulated, is very important to humans! We use it to cook our food, keep us warm, or give us light. In this episode, I will answer the question, what happens when something burns, and go into the science of combustion. Here is an article! It is called “What is the Fire Triangle?” (https://spectacularsci.c...

You’ve probably used soap many times! It is very useful to keep your hands clean and free of germs. How does soap clean things and how does it work? In this episode, I take into the science and explore the amazing chemistry of soap. Here is an article! It is called “Why Does Soap Make Our Skin Dry?” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/02/soap-why-our-skin-is-dry/) Here is an activity! It is called “S...