The Curious Kidcast

n this episode of The Curious Kidcast, we blast off to the edge of our solar system to solve one of astronomy's biggest controversies: Pluto's planetary status. Discover why this beloved celestial body was reclassified from planet to dwarf planet, explore its unique features, and learn fascinating facts that make Pluto special despite its demotion.

Episode Highlights

• The discovery of Pluto in 1930 by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh
• How 11-year-old Venetia Burney suggested the name "Pluto"
• The 2006 decision by the International Astronomical Union that changed Pluto's classification
• The three criteria for planetary status and why Pluto fails one of them
• Discoveries from NASA's New Horizons mission in 2015
• Pluto's unique features, including its heart-shaped glacier (Tombaugh Regio)
• Other dwarf planets in our solar system: Eris, Haumea, Makemake, and Ceres

Key Moments

• The discovery and naming of Pluto
• Pluto's unusual characteristics that prompted scientists' questions
• The discovery of Eris and its impact on planetary definitions
• The IAU's three criteria for planets and Pluto's reclassification
• Public reaction to Pluto's demotion
• New Horizons mission and surprising discoveries about Pluto
• Pluto's "dwarf planet" companions
• Curious Kidcast quiz about Pluto
• Fun facts about Pluto and conclusion

Amazing Pluto Facts

1. Super-Long Year: It takes Pluto 248 Earth years to orbit the Sun once!
2. Long Days: A single day on Pluto lasts about 6 Earth days
3. Moon Collector: Despite its small size, Pluto has five moons (Charon, Nix, Hydra, Kerberos, and Styx)
4. Extreme Cold: Surface temperatures reach about -375°F (-225°C), cold enough for nitrogen to freeze solid

Learn More About Pluto

• NASA's New Horizons mission website
• International Astronomical Union's definition of planets
• Interactive solar system models and activities for kids
• Books about dwarf planets for young astronomers

Submit your science questions to questions@curiouskidcast.com for a chance to be featured on the show.

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Contact Us

Website: www.curiouskidcast.com

Email: questions@curiouskidcast.com

Social Media: @CuriousKidcast

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 Learn

• The Science Behind Hiccups: How your diaphragm (the trampoline-like muscle under your lungs) and vocal cords create that distinctive "HIC!" sound
• Three Mind-Blowing Hiccup Theories: The Tummy Surprise Theory, The Baby Practice Theory, and the incredible Ancient Fish Theory
• World 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 work
• Global Hiccup Beliefs: Fascinating cultural interpretations of hiccups from Russia, India, Japan, and Mexico
• Animal Hiccups: Discover which animals get hiccups too (including adorable hiccupping kittens!)

Fun Hiccup Facts Mentioned

• Your diaphragm does over 20,000 "tiny sit-ups" every day without you noticing
• Babies hiccup in the womb before they're even born
• Some scientists believe hiccups are a leftover reflex from when our ancestors were fish
• A girl in Florida once hiccupped 50 times per minute for over five weeks
• In Russia, hiccups are believed to mean someone is talking about you behind your back

Curious Kid Quiz Questions

1. What is the name of the muscle under your lungs that causes hiccups when it spasms?
2. How long did Charles Osborne hiccup for, setting the world record?
3. According to one scientific theory, hiccups might be a leftover reflex from when our ancestors were what kind of animal?

Try This at Home

Create 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 Kidcast

Have a curious question for a future episode? Email us at questions@curiouskidcast.com

Visit 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 Learn

• The different layers that make up our planet
• Why digging through the Earth is impossible with current technology
• Where 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 Earth
• What happens to gravity at the Earth's center
• The extreme conditions inside our planet

Fun Facts from the Episode

• The Earth's core is hotter than the surface of the Sun
• If you could dig through the Earth, a trip from one side to the other would take about 84 minutes
• At the exact center of the Earth, you would float weightlessly
• If you dug from New York, you'd come out in the Indian Ocean near Australia
• The deepest hole humans have ever dug is only about 7.5 miles deep
• 
  

Episode Quiz

Question 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 Words

• Antipode - The point on the exact opposite side of the Earth
• Crust - The outermost layer of the Earth
• Mantle - The thick layer between the crust and the core
• Core - The center part of the Earth, made of iron and nickel
• Harmonic oscillation - A back-and-forth motion, like a pendulum
• 
  

Try This at Home

Use 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 Us

Have a question for Andy? Send it to questions@curiouskidcast.com

Visit our website: curiouskidcast.com

Follow 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 Learn

• Why many animals like pigs, horses, and even dolphins can get sunburnt
• The clever ways animals protect themselves from the sun
• How hippos produce their own natural sunscreen
• Why even polar animals need sun protection
• How humans can stay safe in the sun by learning from animals

Fun Facts from This Episode

• Pigs roll in mud as a natural sunscreen to protect their sensitive skin
• Hippos produce special red sweat that acts like sunblock
• Even whales and dolphins can get sunburnt when swimming near the surface
• Elephants throw dust on themselves as a natural sun shield
• Polar bears have black skin under their white fur to help protect from sunburn

Quiz Questions

Test your knowledge with these fun questions from the episode:

1. Which animal produces red sweat that acts as natural sunscreen?
2. Can whales and dolphins get sunburnt while swimming?
3. What do pigs use as natural sunscreen?

(Find the answers by listening to the episode!)

Vocabulary Words

• Ultraviolet (UV) rays - Invisible rays from the sun that can damage skin
• Melanin - A natural chemical in skin that helps protect against UV rays
• Nocturnal - Animals that are active during the night
• Crepuscular - Animals that are active at dawn and dusk

Discussion Questions

• Why 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 Kidcast

Have a curious question you'd like answered on the show? We'd love to hear from you!

• Email your questions to: questions@curiouskidcast.com
• Visit our website: www.curiouskidcast.com
• Subscribe to never miss an episode
• Share this episode with friends who love animals and science

New episodes of The Curious Kidcast are released every Wednesday!

In this cosmic adventure, host Andy explores what would happen if the Moon suddenly vanished from our night sky. Discover how the Moon affects Earth's tides, seasons, and even the darkness of night in this kid-friendly scientific journey.

In This Episode

• How the Moon creates tides and why they're important for sea creatures
• The Moon's role in keeping Earth's spin steady
• What nights would be like without moonlight
• No more eclipses - a cosmic bummer!
• How the Earth and Moon became space buddies
• Ways humans rely on the Moon culturally and scientifically
• Could we survive without the Moon?
• Fun activities to help you become a "Moon Protector"
• Lunar Quiz Challenge with three moon-tastic questions

Fun Facts from the Episode

• The Moon is slowly moving away from Earth - but only about as fast as your fingernails grow
• The Moon formed over 4 billion years ago when a giant space rock smashed into Earth
• The Moon helps protect Earth by acting as a shield against some asteroids
• Many holidays like Easter and Ramadan follow the Moon's cycles
• Without the Moon, Earth might wobble more, causing extreme and unpredictable seasons

Activities for Curious Kids

• Look at the Moon through binoculars or a telescope
• Start a Moon journal to track the Moon's phases
• Read Moon stories and myths from different cultures
• Build a model of the Earth, Sun, and Moon
• Visit a planetarium to learn more about our lunar neighbor

Get in Touch

Have a question for a future episode? Ask your grown-up to help you email us at questions@curiouskidcast.com

Visit our website: curiouskidcast.com

Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and tell your friends about The Curious Kidcast!

In this episode, Andy explores the amazing science behind why cats almost always land on their feet! Join us for a fun-filled journey through the physics, biology, and history of one of nature's coolest tricks.

What You'll Learn

• The science behind the cat "righting reflex"
• How a cat's flexible spine helps them twist in mid-air
• Why cats actually survive better from higher falls
• Which other animals can perform similar tricks
• How scientists have studied this phenomenon for over a century
• What we can learn from cats about facing challenges

Fun Facts Mentioned

• Cats have been using their righting reflex since they were tiny kittens
• Cats don't have a proper collarbone like humans do
• A cat's vestibular system in their inner ears helps them know which way is up

Quiz Questions

1. What is the special ability called that helps cats land on their feet?
2. Which part of a cat's body turns first during a fall?
3. True or False - Cats always land perfectly on their feet, 100% of the time?

Connect With Us

Have a curious question you'd like answered on a future episode? We'd love to hear from you!

Email: questions@curiouskidcast.com

Follow us on X: @CuriousKidcast

Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Curious Kidcast!

Resources for Curious Kids

• Try watching slow-motion videos of cats landing on their feet
• Experiment with paper cat shapes to see how they fall
• Learn more about the amazing abilities of other animals like squirrels and geckos

Join host Andy on an exciting scientific adventure exploring one of the body's most mysterious behaviors - yawning! In this family-friendly episode, curious kids will discover the fascinating science behind why yawns are contagious and what happens in our brains when we see someone else yawn.

What Your Kids Will Learn:

• How yawning might help cool down our brains
• Why babies in the womb start yawning at just 11 weeks
• The science behind "mirror neurons" and how they make yawns contagious
• Why we yawn approximately 240,000 times in our lifetime
• How contagious yawning connects to empathy and social bonds
• The surprising world record for the longest yawn (29 seconds!)

Key Science Concepts for Curious Kids:

This episode introduces young science enthusiasts to concepts like brain temperature regulation, mirror neurons, social cognition development, and the evolutionary purpose of common behaviors. Perfect for sparking curiosity and encouraging kids to ask questions about everyday phenomena!

Interactive Family Quiz:

Listen to the podcast to answer these fun questions with your kids:

1. What part of the body might yawning help to cool down?
2. At what age do children usually start to "catch" yawns from other people?
3. How long was the world's longest recorded yawn?

(Answers revealed in the episode!)

Why Families Love This Episode:

Packed with kid-friendly humor and mind-blowing facts, this episode transforms everyday science into an exciting adventure. The perfect blend of education and entertainment makes learning fun for the whole family!

Listen With Your Kids

This episode offers a perfect opportunity to spark curiosity in children and encourage scientific thinking. After listening, ask your kids what other everyday behaviors they're curious about - their questions might surprise you!

Have a Question for The Curious Kidcast?

Email your science questions to questions@curiouskidcast.com or visit curiouskidcast.com

Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review!

The Curious Kidcast: Answering the questions kids ask, one fascinating fact at a time!

In this episode, Andy explores the fascinating science behind why our fingers get wrinkly when we spend time in water. Contrary to popular belief, it's not just our skin getting soggy! Learn about the role of our nervous system in this weird and wonderful body phenomenon.

What We Covered

• The common misconception about wrinkly fingers
• How the autonomic nervous system triggers the wrinkling response
• Blood vessels under the skin constricting when exposed to water
• The evolutionary advantage of wrinkly fingers for better grip
• Why humans are unique in getting wrinkly fingers in water
• How warm water speeds up the wrinkling process

Fun Facts

• Scientists discovered that wrinkly fingers provide better grip on wet objects
• Most animals don't get wrinkly fingers in water
• Warm water makes your fingers wrinkle faster than cold water
• The wrinkling is controlled by your nervous system, not by your skin absorbing water

Episode Quiz

Question 1: Why do fingers get wrinkly in water?

Question 2: What advantage do wrinkly fingers give you?

Question 3: Are humans the only animals that get wrinkly fingers in water?

Have a science question you'd like answered? Email us at questions@curiouskidcast.com

Visit our website: www.curiouskidcast.com

Don't forget to subscribe and share with your friends!

#KidScience #CuriousKidcast #WrinklyFingers #ScienceForKids #WhyDoFingersPrune #BodyScience #STEM #KidsLearning #SciencePodcast #FunScience #KidFactsAboutBody #WaterScience #HumanBody #ScienceFacts #KidsEducation #HomeschoolScience #ElementaryScience #FamilyPodcast #AutonomicNervousSystem #EverydayScience #BiologyForKids #ScienceExplained #WeirdScienceFacts #EvolutionaryAdaptation #ScienceMysteries

Discover the Curious Kidcast's mind-blowing exploration of Daylight Saving Time - a fascinating journey through time that answers kids' burning questions about why we change our clocks twice a year. Join host Andy as he unravels the quirky history of time manipulation, from Benjamin Franklin's original joke to modern-day clock-changing practices around the world.

Key Topics CoveredIn this educational and entertaining episode, young listeners will learn:- The surprising origins of Daylight Saving Time- Why only 70 countries participate in this time-shifting tradition- Crazy facts about how changing clocks affects our lives- The science behind energy conservation myths- Hilarious insights into global time-changing practices

Perfect for curious kids aged 7-11, this podcast episode transforms a complex topic into an engaging adventure of discovery. Whether you're a budding scientist, history buff, or just love weird facts, this episode will make you the smartest kid in the room when it comes to understanding time.Tune in for laughs, learn unexpected trivia, and join our quiz that tests your newfound knowledge about the world's most bizarre time-traveling experiment.

The Curious Kidcast: Making learning fun, one bizarre fact at a time.

Keywords: Daylight Saving Time, kids podcast, science for kids, time zones, educational podcast, Benjamin Franklin, energy conservation, kid-friendly learning

Fun Facts Discussed

• Only 70 out of 195 countries participate in Daylight Saving Time
• Germany was the first country to implement DST during World War I
• Arizona and Hawaii don't participate in clock changing
• Changing clocks can temporarily increase accident risks

Email: questions@curiouskidcast.com
Website: curiouskidcast.com

Recommended for Listeners

• Ages 7-11
• Kids curious about science, history, and time
• Families interested in educational content