Spectacular Science

Welcome to this 3 part series about biomes! Biomes are different areas of Earth that have different temperatures and are home to unique types of life! In this series, Akshay will be covering the science behind biomes and the different types of biomes on Earth! In part 1, Akshay will be introducing you to biomes and what makes biomes unique. You will learn about what biomes are, what makes a biome...

Physical and chemical changes are all around you! But, what are these changes, and what are some real-world examples of them? What’s the difference between physical and chemical changes? In this episode, Akshay talks about the science behind physical and chemical changes and why it is so important for our world. Here is an article! It is called “Physical vs. Chemical Changes”. (https://spectacular...

Do you know what controls your sleep cycle, hunger, and even changes in body temperature? Circadian rhythm does! Circadian rhythm is your body’s internal clock and controls when certain things happen in your body. How does circadian rhythm work and why is it important? In this episode, Akshay wonders about circadian rhythm after waking up late! That is why Akshay talks to Dr. Erin Gibson, a circad...

LiDAR is a type of technology that uses light to scan areas and to build a computer model of real-world places. LiDAR is now being used for many things, such as self-driving cars and even on smartphones. What really is LiDAR and how does it work? What does the future of LiDAR look like? In this episode, Akshay gets curious about this very bright (pun intended) technology, so he speaks with Mr. Jac...

When you go to the beach and jump into the water, all you get is a mouthful of salt water! It tastes like the same salt you have on the kitchen table. Why is the ocean salty? Where does that salt come from? In this episode, Akshay gets curious about why the ocean is salty while at the beach and finds out more about this very salty mystery. Follow or subscribe to this podcast wherever you’re listen...

Have you ever wondered how there are so many breeds of dogs in the world. Or, have you wondered why there are so many varieties of fruits and vegetables. It’s all thanks to artificial selection and selective breeding! Akshay visits the animal shelter in search of a new pet, and sees all of these hundreds of breeds to choose from. Curious about selective breeding, Akshay visits Dr. Ian Dworkin, a p...

What’s the big deal with microplastics? What is microplastic and why is it harmful to the environment, especially animals? In this episode, Akshay tries to relax on the beach, but can’t because of all the plastic on the beach! He gets curious about microplastics and learns more about them. In this episode, we will learn about what microplastics are, why they are harmful, and what we can do about t...

Food chains and food webs! They are important to show the transfer of food from one animal to another. Even humans are part of a giant food web. But, how exactly does a food chain work? What are the parts of a food chain and what role do animals and plants play in it? In this episode, Akshay explores the science behind food chains and even how they can get even more complex, such as food webs Here...

You’re in the kitchen chopping onions, then suddenly, you start crying! No, it’s not because you are hurt but is because of the onion. Why do onions make us cry? In this episode, Akshay is making his signature Soup of Imagination in his kitchen. He starts chopping onions for his soup and starts crying! In this episode, Akshay uncovers the hidden mysteries of the onion’s amazing defensive system! H...

Sharks! They’re one of the most mysterious, misunderstood, and amazing creatures on Earth! Have you ever wondered about sharks and what it is like when diving with them? Akshay wants to learn more about sharks, so he talks to Ms. Melissa Cristina Márquez, a shark researcher and explorer. Akshay builds a new imaginary submarine and takes it on a test drive with Ms. Márquez while learning more about...

Now you see me, now you don’t! Chameleons are able to camouflage into their surroundings. But, how do they do this and is how they change dependent upon their surroundings? In this episode, Akshay goes out exploring in the woods and finds chameleons everywhere, even though he can’t see some of them! Learn about chameleons in this amazing episode of Spectacular Science! Subscribe wherever you’re li...

Have you ever wondered how humans originated from apes or why birds look different based on their environments? Evolution and natural selection are the answers to those questions! What is evolution and natural selection? How does it work? Akshay wonders about this on his trip to the zoo, so he talks to Dr. William Ratcliff, an evolutionary biologist and professor at Georgia Tech. Dr. Ratcliff stud...

Many creatures such as fireflies, mushrooms, fish, worms, and microscopic sea animals make light. They have this amazing superpower that lights up their surroundings. How do they make light? Akshay wonders the same thing while watching fireflies in his backyard! In this episode, we are going to take a deep dive into the science of bioluminescence, or in other words, animals that produce light natu...

What is the largest animal on Earth? It is the blue whale! The blue whale is as long as three school buses and weighs over 200 tons! This giant animal is also the loudest animal on Earth. Let’s go discover more fun facts about the blue whale! Join Akshay as he dives deep down into the ocean to uncover the science behind the amazing gentle giants. Subscribe or follow wherever you’re listening right...

Pollinators are all around us! They help us humans get food and crops and also help the ecosystem stay in balance. But, we have a problem! Climate change! Climate change is impacting pollinators and the ecosystem as well. Akshay is curious about this and meets Dr. Samuel Myers at a bee farm! Dr. Myers is a principal research scientist at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, specializing in...

What is the toughest animal on Earth? You may think that it is the cheetah or the blue whale, but your have to think small! Very small, even microscopic. The tardigrade is a microorganism that can survive in extreme environments, even space! How can they do this? In this episode, Akshay takes you on a deep dive into the science of tardigrades, the toughest animals on Earth. Please support this pod...

Black holes are one of the most mysterious things in the universe. We know that they exist, but we don’t know what is inside of them. But, even what are black holes and how are they formed? In this episode, Akshay goes stargazing with his brand new telescope and wonders about black holes. Akshay takes you on a deep dive into the science of black holes. Please support this podcast by subscribing wh...

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s a flying fish! A fish that flies may seem like an animal out of a story, but they are actually a group of fish! Flying fish are amazing creatures. How are they able to fly or glide over the water and why do they do this? In this episode, Akshay takes a deep dive into the ocean to find out how flying fish are able to what other fish can’t do! Please support this...

Teeth! Your amazing pearly whites! We use them everyday to eat and to smile. But what are teeth made of and why is brushing and flossing them important? Akshay goes to the dentist for his check up and talks to Dr. Ami Desai, a dentist at Family Dentistry and Orthodontics. In this episode, you will learn a lot more about your teeth! Sign up for the free Spectacular Science Membership where you can...

Concrete is all around you! The sidewalks, roads, houses, and even skyscrapers! It plays a huge role in your everyday life. But, how is concrete made and how is it used? In this episode, Akshay takes you into a deep dive into the science of concrete! Sign up for the free Spectacular Science Membership where you can get bonus episodes, activities, and the Fact of the Day. Sign up at https://spectac...

Hummingbirds are small birds, but they are the masters of flight. These tiny birds have adapted special ways for them to fly fast and in different directions quickly. In this episode, Akshay explores the science of hummingbirds and how they have specially adapted wings that help them fly fast and even backwards! Sign up for the free Spectacular Science Membership where you can get bonus episodes,...

If you listen to this podcast or music, you probably use a speaker! Speakers come in all shapes and sizes, from being in giant movie theaters to fitting inside of your phone. But, how do speakers work to produce sound from electrical signals? In this episode, Akshay explores the science behind simple speakers and explains how they work. Get ready, because this is going to be a journey through soun...

Look up in the night sky on a clear night. What catches your eye first? The Moon! The Moon is Earth’s best friend. We will all recognize it when we see it. But, what is the Moon, what is it made out of and why are missions such as NASA’s Artemis Mission being sent to the Moon? In this episode, Akshay takes you on a deep space voyage to discover the science of the Moon! Sign up for the free Spectac...

Auroras! They are known as the “greatest light show on Earth”. These natural colored light shows happen near the North and South pole. But, how do these spectacular events happen and what is the science behind that? In this episode, Akshay takes you on a deep dive into the science of auroras. Sign up for the free Spectacular Science Membership where you can get bonus episodes, activities, and the...

There is no Oxygen on Mars. The thin Martian atmosphere is only made out of Carbon dioxide. How will we send humans and rockets to space without the Oxygen that they need? MOXIE, a machine aboard NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover helps with that! This amazing technology turns Carbon dioxide into Oxygen and is working as you are reading this page right now! But, what is it, how does it work, and...