The Curious Kidcast

Ever wondered why we hiccup at the most awkward moments? In this fascinating episode, Andy dives into the mysterious world of hiccups - those unexpected body jumps that always seem to arrive at the worst possible times! Discover the surprising science behind this universal human experience, from ancient fish theories to baby practice hiccups, plus test out bizarre cures from around the world.What You'll LearnThe Science Behind Hiccups: How your diaphragm (the trampoline-like muscle under your lungs) and vocal cords create that distinctive "HIC!" soundThree Mind-Blowing Hiccup Theories: The Tummy Surprise Theory, The Baby Practice Theory, and the incredible Ancient Fish TheoryWorld Records: Meet Charles Osborne, who hiccupped for an astonishing 68 years (that's over 430 million hiccups!)Five Hiccup Cures Rated: From drinking water upside down to eating a spoonful of peanut butter, discover which remedies might actually workGlobal Hiccup Beliefs: Fascinating cultural interpretations of hiccups from Russia, India, Japan, and MexicoAnimal Hiccups: Discover which animals get hiccups too (including adorable hiccupping kittens!)Fun Hiccup Facts MentionedYour diaphragm does over 20,000 "tiny sit-ups" every day without you noticingBabies hiccup in the womb before they're even bornSome scientists believe hiccups are a leftover reflex from when our ancestors were fishA girl in Florida once hiccupped 50 times per minute for over five weeksIn Russia, hiccups are believed to mean someone is talking about you behind your back Curious Kid Quiz QuestionsWhat is the name of the muscle under your lungs that causes hiccups when it spasms?How long did Charles Osborne hiccup for, setting the world record?According to one scientific theory, hiccups might be a leftover reflex from when our ancestors were what kind of animal?Try This at HomeCreate your own hiccup cure by combining different remedies! Try holding your nose, singing your favorite song, spinning in a circle, drinking water, eating a marshmallow, or whispering to your diaphragm. Let us know which combination works best for you!Connect with The Curious KidcastHave a curious question for a future episode? Email us at questions@curiouskidcast.comVisit curiouskidcast.com for episode-related pictures, games, and activities!Subscribe to never miss a new episode - we explore a fascinating new topic every week!The Curious Kidcast: Where curiosity leads to discovery!

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you dug a hole straight through the planet? In this episode, Andy explores this wild thought experiment and dives deep (literally!) into Earth science.What You'll LearnThe different layers that make up our planetWhy digging through the Earth is impossible with current technologyWhere you would actually end up if you dug straight down (hint: probably not China!)How long it would take to fall through a tunnel in the EarthWhat happens to gravity at the Earth's centerThe extreme conditions inside our planetFun Facts from the EpisodeThe Earth's core is hotter than the surface of the SunIf you could dig through the Earth, a trip from one side to the other would take about 84 minutesAt the exact center of the Earth, you would float weightlesslyIf you dug from New York, you'd come out in the Indian Ocean near AustraliaThe deepest hole humans have ever dug is only about 7.5 miles deepEpisode QuizQuestion 1: If you dug a tunnel from New York City straight through the Earth, where would you come out?Question 2: How long would it take to fall all the way through the Earth in a frictionless tunnel?Question 3: What would happen to you if you could somehow stop exactly at the center of the Earth?Vocabulary WordsAntipode - The point on the exact opposite side of the EarthCrust - The outermost layer of the EarthMantle - The thick layer between the crust and the coreCore - The center part of the Earth, made of iron and nickelHarmonic oscillation - A back-and-forth motion, like a pendulumTry This at HomeUse a globe or online map to find the antipode of where you live. What's on the exact opposite side of the Earth from your house? Is it land or water?Connect With UsHave a question for Andy? Send it to questions@curiouskidcast.comVisit our website: curiouskidcast.comFollow us on social media: @CuriousKidcast

In this laugh-out-loud episode of The Curious Kidcast, host Andy explores the surprising world of animal sunburns! Kids will discover which animals can get sunburnt, how different creatures protect themselves from the sun, and learn some amazing animal sun facts that will blow their minds.What You'll LearnWhy many animals like pigs, horses, and even dolphins can get sunburntThe clever ways animals protect themselves from the sunHow hippos produce their own natural sunscreenWhy even polar animals need sun protectionHow humans can stay safe in the sun by learning from animalsFun Facts from This EpisodePigs roll in mud as a natural sunscreen to protect their sensitive skinHippos produce special red sweat that acts like sunblockEven whales and dolphins can get sunburnt when swimming near the surfaceElephants throw dust on themselves as a natural sun shieldPolar bears have black skin under their white fur to help protect from sunburnQuiz QuestionsTest your knowledge with these fun questions from the episode:Which animal produces red sweat that acts as natural sunscreen?Can whales and dolphins get sunburnt while swimming?What do pigs use as natural sunscreen?(Find the answers by listening to the episode!)Vocabulary WordsUltraviolet (UV) rays - Invisible rays from the sun that can damage skinMelanin - A natural chemical in skin that helps protect against UV raysNocturnal - Animals that are active during the nightCrepuscular - Animals that are active at dawn and duskDiscussion QuestionsWhy do you think different animals have different ways of protecting themselves from the sun?What animal's sun protection method do you think is the most interesting?How are human sun protection methods similar to or different from animals?If you could design sun protection for any animal, which animal would you choose and what would you create?Connect With The Curious KidcastHave a curious question you'd like answered on the show? We'd love to hear from you!Email your questions to: questions@curiouskidcast.comVisit our website: www.curiouskidcast.comSubscribe to never miss an episodeShare this episode with friends who love animals and scienceNew episodes of The Curious Kidcast are released every Wednesday!