STEM with Dr. Owl

[Replay] How Do Bats Fly?

Discover how bats use their hands to fly and how they navigate the dark using the power of sound.
 
Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they explore the "finger-wings" of the world's only flying mammal. You'll learn the difference between flapping and gliding and find out why bats are the ultimate "sound ninjas" of the night sky!

Who Lives the Longest on Earth? – Biology & Animal Science for Kids

Discover the fascinating world of animal biology as we explore creatures that can outlive humans by hundreds of years. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they dive into the science of aging to uncover the secrets of 500-year-old sharks, ancient clams, and a jellyfish that can press the restart button on its own life! It's a time-traveling journey to meet the oldest animals on our planet. 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.B – Growth and Development of Organisms

How Do Smells and Tastes Work? – Biology & Human Body Science for Kids

Children will learn the biology behind the five senses, specifically exploring how olfactory molecules and taste buds work together to identify complex flavors. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they conduct a sensory jellybean experiment and discover the hilarious reason why butterflies taste food with their feet! 
Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: LS1.D – Information Processing

How Do Germs Make Us Sick? – Biology & Hygiene for Kids

Children will learn the biology behind how viruses invade our cells and how active ingredients in hand sanitizer break them apart. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy the Robot as they uncover the scientific mystery of whether germs are actually alive and discover why destroying a virus is just like popping a water balloon! 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

Why Doesn't Plastic Rot? – Chemistry & Environmental Science for Kids

In this episode, kids will learn the foundational chemistry of plastic molecules and the environmental science behind why plastic takes hundreds of years to break down. Join Dr. Owl, Curious Emma, and a very confused robot named Ziggy as they discover the sneaky "LEGO chains" that make up our everyday lunchboxes! Plus, play along with our interactive trivia to find out how small choices can help protect our oceans and wildlife. 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: 5-ESS3.C – Human Impacts on Earth Systems

How Do Animals Stick to Walls? – Biology & Biomimicry for Kids

Learn the amazing biology and biomimicry behind how geckos, spiders, and tree frogs climb up walls without falling down! Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy shrink down to the microscopic level to explore dry molecular hugs, super-strong spider silk, and self-cleaning sticky frog toes. Discover how human scientists are copying nature's coolest tricks to invent things like gecko tape for space ninja lizard robots! 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: 1-LS1-1 – Structure and Function (Biomimicry)

Why Are Sticky Things Sticky? – Materials Science & Everyday Physics for Kids

Learn the fascinating materials science and physics behind adhesives, tape, and stretchy toys! Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy investigate microscopic bumps and sticky bonds to find out why duct tape is super strong, why Post-it notes are reusable, and how squishy sticky hands hold onto windows. Plus, find out why dust is the ultimate enemy of stickiness, and hear the amazing true story of how astronauts used duct tape on the Moon! 
Learning Connection: NGSS DCI: 2-PS1-2 – Structure and Properties of Matter

What Happens After the Moon? (Artemis II Mini-Series Ep. 3) – Space Exploration & Astronomy for Kids

Discover the future of space exploration, lunar habitats, and rocket fuel made from ice in this exciting astronomy adventure. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy as they learn what NASA has planned for Artemis III and find out why the Moon is the ultimate practice field for a human trip to Mars! 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

What Makes a Car Go? – Physics & Mechanics for Kids

Learn the fundamental physics of motion, how engines transfer energy, and the mechanics of aerodynamics in this fast-paced episode. Listen as Emma, Dr. Owl, and Ziggy investigate a listener's question about the hidden systems that make vehicles drive, why engines desperately need oil to fight friction, and the clever design secrets that make race cars incredibly fast. Plus, find out why Ziggy's plan to use peanut butter to fix a squeak might be a hilarious disaster!

How Do Astronauts Live in Space? (Artemis II Mini-Series Ep. 2) – Microgravity & Space Exploration for Kids

Kids will learn exactly how astronauts eat, sleep, and safely use the bathroom in the microgravity environment of the Orion spacecraft. Join Dr. Owl, Emma, and Ziggy the Robot as they discover why floating pizza crumbs are a serious hazard and how a space toilet acts just like a vacuum cleaner. 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