STEM with Dr. Owl

Why Do Animals Migrate?

🦢 Winter is here! Join Dr. Owl, curious Emma, and our silly robot friend Ziggy as they uncover the secrets of animal migration. Why do geese fly in a V-shape? How do tiny butterflies fly thousands of miles without a map? And does Ziggy need to migrate to the kitchen? Tune in to discover the "Big 3" reasons animals go on these super long adventures!
👉 Parents & Explorers: Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get fun, free science materials and activity sheets sent straight to your inbox!
Learning Connection
Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS1.B – Growth and Development of Organisms

How Was the Earth Made?

🌍 Have you ever wondered if the Earth was built like a giant Lego set? Join Dr. Owl, Curious Emma, and a very confused Ziggy as they travel back 4.5 billion years to solve the mystery of our planet's birthday! We’ll discover how space dust, gravity, and a whole lot of time turned a hot ball of "rock soup" into the home we know today.
(Parents: Sign up for our email list at orbitalowl.com to get fun, free science activities and materials to go along with this episode!)
Educational Standard Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: ESS1.C – The History of Planet Earth.

Why Is My Skin Oily?

💦 Have you ever looked in the mirror and wondered why your nose is shiny? Or why hair gets greasy if you don't wash it? Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and a very slippery Ziggy as they investigate the tiny, invisible "factories" hiding inside your skin! In this episode, we discover that the oil on your face isn't just dirt—it's actually a special superpower called "Sebum" that acts like a waterproof shield.
Don't forget to sign up for our email list to get useful science materials and fun at-home experiments at orbitalowl.com!
Learning Connection Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS1.A – Structure and Function (How external body parts help animals survive).

Why Do Some Things Stain?

🍇 Oh no! Emma has spilled grape juice on her favorite white shirt! Why won’t it just wipe off like water? In this episode, Dr. Owl takes us on a microscopic journey to discover that fabric is actually like a giant "net," liquids play on different teams, and soap is a molecular superhero with two hands! Tune in to solve the mystery of the "Grape Crusader" and learn the science behind sticky situations.
For more fun science experiments and activities to try at home, sign up for our email list to get useful science materials at orbitalowl.com!
Learning Connection Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: PS1.A – Structure and Properties of Matter.

🎄 Holiday Replay: Why Do We Fart?

🎄 This episode is part of our Holiday Replay Series — a collection of favorite STEM with Dr. Owl episodes while we take a short holiday break.✨ New episodes will return after the holidays!
💨 Ever let out a little toot that made you giggle? Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and a very gassy Ziggy as they investigate why we fart! Explore the secret world inside your tummy where tiny helpers throw food parties, learn where gas comes from, why some farts are loud or quiet, and what makes them stinky. A super scientific, giggle‑filled journey kids love to replay!
 

🎄 Holiday Replay: What’s the Biggest Number?

🎄 This episode is part of our Holiday Replay Series — a collection of favorite STEM with Dr. Owl episodes while we take a short holiday break.✨ New episodes will return after the holidays!
🔢 How big is a googol? What about a googolplex?! In this super‑sized episode, Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy explore the biggest numbers ever imagined — from billions to numbers so huge they can’t fit in the universe! Kids will learn how fast numbers grow, invent their own monster numbers, and discover where the word googol came from in this mind‑stretching, curiosity‑boosting adventure.

🎄 Holiday Replay: Why Do We Need Money? [Money, Market & Me!]

🎄 This episode is part of our Holiday Replay Series — a collection of favorite STEM with Dr. Owl episodes while we take a short holiday break.✨ New episodes will return after the holidays!
💰 Ever tried to trade your snack for a toy — and it got confusing fast? That’s exactly what happens to Emma in her banana trading shop! Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they explore the big question: Why do we need money? Travel back in time from bartering to shiny shells to modern coins and bills in this fun, story‑based introduction to economics.
💰 Money, Market & Me!This episode launches our Money, Market & Me! series — helping kids understand how money works in everyday life.
Episodes in this series include:
EP1: Why Do We Need Money?
EP2: Why Do We Need a Budget?
EP3: What Is a Bank?
EP4: What Is Tax?
EP5: How Do Stores Make Money?
EP6: Who Pays for the Donuts? (The Credit Mystery!)
✨ More money adventures coming soon!

🎄 Holiday Replay: Where Does Poop Come From?

🎄 This episode is part of our Holiday Replay Series — a collection of favorite STEM with Dr. Owl episodes while we take a short holiday break.✨ New episodes will return after the holidays!
💩 Ever wondered where poop comes from? In this laugh‑and‑learn adventure, Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy shrink down and take a ride through the amazing digestive system! From chomping food to twisty intestines, kids will discover how the body turns meals into energy — and poop. Packed with silly sounds, fun facts, and just the right amount of gross‑out science!
 

🎄 Holiday Replay: Why Do Things Burn? [Science Behind Minecraft]

🎄 This episode is part of our Holiday Replay Series — a collection of favorite STEM with Dr. Owl episodes while we take a short holiday break.✨ New episodes will return after the holidays!
🔥 Uh oh! A Creeper explosion sets a tree ablaze near Herbert’s precious carrot patch! Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and a slightly singed Ziggy as they explore the science of fire and combustion inside the world of Minecraft. Learn about the Fire Triangle, heat, fuel, oxygen — and how to stay safe — all through blocky adventures kids love.
🧱 STEMcraft Friday: The Science Behind MinecraftThis episode is part of STEMcraft Friday, our special series connecting real‑world science to Minecraft mechanics.
Episodes in this series include:
Why Is Minecraft So Blocky? Pixels Explained
Mining Like a Geologist
What Is Lightning?
Why Do Things Burn?
Why Do Volcanoes Erupt?
What’s a Biome? Exploring Minecraft’s Wildest Animal Homes
How Sand Turns Into Glass
Flip the Switch! All About Circuits

🎄 Holiday Replay: Why Does Popcorn Pop?

🎄 This episode is part of our Holiday Replay Series — a collection of favorite STEM with Dr. Owl episodes while we take a short holiday break.✨ New episodes will return after the holidays!
🍿 Get ready for a POP‑TASTIC adventure! Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy the Robot as they unravel the delicious mystery of why popcorn pops. Discover the secret ingredient hidden inside every kernel, learn about mini explosions caused by water and heat, and find out why some kernels are called "old maids." A cozy, crunchy science snack perfect for winter listening!