
STEM with Dr. Owl
227 episodes — Page 1 of 5
[Ziggy's Mailbag] Are Windows Made of Sand & How is Metal Made? – Science Q&A for Kids
How Do Trees Make Maple Syrup? – Plant Biology & Nature Science for Kids
Are Black Holes Real? – Astronomy & Space Physics for Kids
Why Do Mountains Burp? (How Volcanoes Work) – Earth Science & Geology for Kids
How Do Bubbles Form? – Surface Tension & Physics for Kids
How Do Hurricanes Form? – Earth Science & Meteorology for Kids
Why Is Fog Invisible & Who Made Pi? – Science Q&A for Kids
How Do Seeds Travel? – Plant Biology & Nature Science for Kids
How Do Walkie-Talkies Work? (And Why We Say 'Over') – Radio Waves for Kids
How Do Caterpillars Make Wings? – Biology & Metamorphosis for Kids
Why Are We Ticklish? – Human Body & Nervous System for Kids
How Does The Toilet Work? – Physics & Engineering for Kids
Why Does the Sky Change Color? – Atmosphere & Light Scattering for Kids
How Do Lasers Work? – Physics & Light Science for Kids
Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch? – Biology & Immune System for Kids
How Do Octopuses Change Color? – Marine Biology & Animal Adaptations for Kids
How Do Animals Jump So Far? – Animal Biology & Physics for Kids
Why Does Earth Spin? – Space Science & Angular Momentum for Kids
How Can Tow Trucks Lift Cars? – Physics & Engineering for Kids
How Do Tiny Seeds Grow Into Giant Trees? – Plant Life Cycles & Photosynthesis for Kids
Why Do Acorns Fall? – Seed Dispersal & Botany for Kids
Why Do Cats Purr? – Animal Communication & Biology for Kids
[Replay] How Do Bats Fly?
Who Lives the Longest on Earth? – Biology & Animal Science for Kids
How Do Smells and Tastes Work? – Biology & Human Body Science for Kids
How Do Germs Make Us Sick? – Biology & Hygiene for Kids
Why Doesn't Plastic Rot? – Chemistry & Environmental Science for Kids
How Do Animals Stick to Walls? – Biology & Biomimicry for Kids
Why Are Sticky Things Sticky? – Materials Science & Everyday Physics for Kids
What Happens After the Moon? (Artemis II Mini-Series Ep. 3) – Space Exploration & Astronomy for Kids
What Makes a Car Go? – Physics & Mechanics for Kids
How Do Astronauts Live in Space? (Artemis II Mini-Series Ep. 2) – Microgravity & Space Exploration for Kids
Around the Moon and Back? (Artemis II Mini-Series Ep. 1) – Space Exploration & Astronomy for Kids

Ep 194Why Do We Feel Pain? – The Nervous System & Human Biology for Kids
Learn how the human nervous system works and why feeling pain is actually the body's helpful fire alarm. Discover the super-speedy message wires that travel over 200 miles per hour straight to the brain, and find out exactly how medicines like Tylenol act like earmuffs to turn down the "ouch" volume! Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS1.D – Information Processing

Ep 193How Do Animals Get Their Names? – Biology & Taxonomy for Kids
🐾 Kids will learn the fundamentals of biology, animal classification, and the scientific naming system known as binomial nomenclature in this fun-filled episode! Discover why a mountain lion and a puma are the exact same cat, and find out the hilarious meanings behind the names of famous dinosaurs and silly insects. Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode.

Ep 192How Deep is the Ocean? – Earth Science & Marine Biology for Kids
Kids will learn about the different zones of the ocean, underwater geography like the continental shelf and the Mariana Trench, and the unique adaptations of deep-sea creatures. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they board a special science submarine and travel from the sunny beach all the way to the darkest depths of the sea! Discover giant underwater mountains, glowing anglerfish, and find out if Mount Everest could fit at the bottom of the ocean. Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ESS2.A – Earth Materials and Systems

Ep 190How Is Sand Made? – Earth Science & Geology for Kids
Discover the fascinating earth science and geology behind how giant mountains and rocks break down to create the sand on our beaches. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy the robot as they explore the slow but powerful process of weathering, from ice karate-chopping boulders to rivers acting like giant rock blenders. You will even learn why some sand is pink and why you might be stepping on ancient dinosaur crumbs! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ESS2.A – Earth Materials and Systems (Weathering)

Ep 191[Replay] Why Don’t We Fall Off the Earth? – Gravity & Physics for Kids
Learn how gravity and mass keep us on the ground and why people in Australia aren't actually standing upside down. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy the Robot as they discover the "Stuff Rule" and find out why the Moon has a much weaker gravity hug than Earth. Plus, see what happens when Ziggy tries to find a "gravity off" switch on a robot! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: PS2.B – Types of Interactions (Gravity)

Ep 189Why Does the Sky Go Boom? – Meteorology & Weather Science for Kids
Kids will learn the science behind thunderstorms, discovering how cumulonimbus clouds form and why lightning creates the loud shockwave of thunder. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they answer a fantastic question from 6-year-old Ellie, find out exactly how hot a lightning bolt really is, and learn a fun counting trick to figure out how far away a storm is! Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ESS2.D – Weather and Climate

Ep 188How Do Bats Fly? – Animal Biology & Echolocation Science for Kids
Learn how bats fly using wing anatomy, mammal biology, and echolocation to navigate in the dark. In this fun and interactive episode, kids discover how bats use their hands as wings, how flight works, and why bats are the only mammals that truly fly. Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS1.A – Structure and Function

Ep 187How Do Text Messages Travel? – Radio Waves & Telecommunications for Kids
Discover the invisible science of radio waves, cell towers, and underground networks that allow mobile phones to send text messages across the world. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy the Robot as they uncover how a picture of a kangaroo travels from Australia in just one second! Test your knowledge with fun trivia and learn why phone signals don't rely on tiny mail carriers. Want more fun science? Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: PS4.C – Information Technologies and Instrumentation

Ep 186[Replay] Why Do Things Melt? – Physics & Chemistry for Kids
🍦 Learn about the physics of melting, molecules, and the three states of matter as Ziggy the Robot desperately tries to stop his lime popsicle from turning into a sticky puddle! Join Dr. Owl and Emma for a "molecule dance party" to discover why heat makes the tiny building blocks of our world wiggle, jiggle, and slide apart. It is a science-tastic adventure filled with frozen soldiers, rock juice, and even jet-powered puddles!

Ep 185Why Do We Have Boogers? – Biology & Human Body Science for Kids
Learn how your body uses boogers and mucus as a secret superhero defense system to keep your lungs clean and healthy. Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy the Robot explore the sticky world of "nose trash nuggets," discover how nose hairs act like filters, and find out why we make a whole liter of snot every single day! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS1.A – Structure and Function

Ep 184[Replay] Why Is This Orange Fuzzy? (What Is Mold?)
Today we're replaying one of our favorite past mysteries! Have you ever found fuzzy stuff growing on fruit? Let’s investigate what mold really is. 🍊 Discover the secret world of mold spores, fungi, and nature’s cleanup crew in this fun biology episode. Join Dr. Owl and Emma as they help Ziggy the Robot understand why his orange grew a "green beard" and how tiny spores float through the air to find a home. You'll even learn how some molds are used to make life-saving medicine! Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS2.A – Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

Ep 183Why Do Bananas Get Bruises? – Biology & Chemistry for Kids
Biology of cells and chemical reactions are the focus of today's fruity investigation. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they shrink down to look at the tiny "water balloon" cells inside your favorite snacks. Discover why oxygen and enzymes turn your fruit brown and learn a fun experiment you can do in your own kitchen! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS1.A – Structure and Function

Ep 182Did We Just Lose an Hour? – Earth's Tilt & Physics for Kids
Discover how the Earth's tilt and rotation create the changing seasons and why we shift our clocks for Daylight Saving Time. Join Emma, Dr. Owl, and a very confused Ziggy as they solve the mystery of the "missing hour" and learn why the sun stays out longer in the summer. Want more fun science? Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get free materials and experiments related to this episode. Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ESS1.B – Earth and the Solar System

Ep 181How is Cotton Candy Made? – States of Matter & Physical Science for Kids
Discover the science of states of matter, physical changes, and centrifugal force as we explore how cotton candy machines work. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and a very sticky Ziggy as they learn how heat and spinning turn hard sugar crystals into fluffy, delicious clouds. We also reveal the world's longest cotton candy record and why this treat is called "Papa's Beard" in other countries! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: PS1.A – Structure and Properties of Matter

Ep 180Why Do We Love Pets So Much? – Biology & Domestication for Kids
Biology of baby features, dopamine brain chemicals, and the science of "cuteness" are explored in this heartwarming episode about our animal best friends. Join Dr. Owl and Emma as they discover why certain features switch on our "Care Mode" and how our brains give themselves a "hug" whenever we see a puppy, kitten, or bird. Don't forget to check out our previous episode on how animals became our partners over thousands of years: "Where Did Our Pets Come From?" . Click to listen --> https://pod.link/1803048567/episode/c3RlbS13aXRoLWRyLW93bC5wb2RiZWFuLmNvbS81YmM2MTQ1MS0yNmU3LTNiYWEtOGY2OS02NDkwMjk5YzI4MWI Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS4.C – Adaptation (Domestication and Social Bonding)

Ep 179How Can Gems Grow? – Geology & Crystals for Kids
Crystals grow from cooling magma and mineral-rich water using invisible building blocks called atoms. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy on a subterranean adventure from the glowing Earth's mantle to a secret dripping cave to solve the mystery of the "lava smoothie." You’ll even learn how to build your own crystals at home using simple kitchen ingredients! Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ESS2.A – Earth Materials and Systems

Ep 178What’s Hiding Inside a Piano? – Engineering & Physics for Kids
Discover how a piano works through the physics of levers, hammers, and sound vibrations. Join Dr. Owl and Emma as they rescue a shrunken Ziggy from inside the piano's "secret launcher" mechanism! You'll learn why short strings sound high, long strings sound low, and how a big wooden board acts like a giant amplifier. Educational Alignment: Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: PS4.A – Wave Properties (Sound and Vibrations)