Ever wondered what’s going on inside your phone’s battery? How is it able to store charge and get recharged over and over again? And why do these batteries degrade over time? In this episode, I’ll take you behind the science of rechargeable batteries, how they work, and the science behind lithium-ion batteries.
Here’s an article! It is called “How Batteries Work” (https://spectacularsci.com/2025/04/how-batteries-work-article/)
Here’s an activity! It is called “How a Battery Works Worksheet” (https://spectacularsci.com/2025/04/how-a-battery-works-worksheet/)
Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!
Head over to https://shop.spectacularsci.com now to get your Spectacular Science merch!

Microplastics. You’ve probably heard of them because of ocean cleanups and pollution. They are tiny pieces of plastics harmful to many animals. But, it might not just be sea creatures. There might be microplastics in our water supplies. How? In this episode I will take you into the science of microplastics, what they are, and how they are contaminating so many things on Earth.
Here’s an article! It is called “Microplastics” (https://spectacularsci.com/2021/05/microplastics/)
Here’s an activity! It is called “Clean Up Plastic Poster!” (https://spectacularsci.com/clean-up-plastic-poster/)
Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!
Head over to https://shop.spectacularsci.com now to get your Spectacular Science merch!

Even though we don’t have tails, we still have a tailbone? Does the tailbone even do anything? Why do we still have it even though we have clearly branched away from our ape ancestors? In this episode, I will take you behind the science of vestigial traits, why we have them, and why we still have these features.
Here’s an article! It is called “What Are Vestigial Features?” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/01/what-are-vestigial-features/)
Here’s an activity! It is called “Vestigial Souvenir Scavenger Hunt!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2025/03/vestigial-souvenir-scavenger-hunt/)
Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!
Head over to https://shop.spectacularsci.com now to get your Spectacular Science merch!

We have all heard that humans share 50% of their genes to bananas. Is this actually true? And what does this have to do with all of the life on Earth, the human genome, and more? In this episode, I will take you into the science of human genetics and explain this wild statement!
Here’s an article! It is called “DNA – Explained” (https://spectacularsci.com/2025/03/dna-explained-article/)
Here’s an activity! It is called “DNA Worksheet Activity” (https://spectacularsci.com/2025/03/dna-worksheet-activity/)
Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!
Head over to https://shop.spectacularsci.com now to get your Spectacular Science merch!

Even if you probably did not notice, the Moon is slowly moving away from Earth right now! This movement of the Moon could cause things to change here on Earth as well. Why does this happen? In this episode, I will answer this mind-blowing question and take you into the interesting science of the Moon.
Here’s an article! It is called “How Moons Form” (https://spectacularsci.com/2025/03/how-moons-form-article/)
Here’s an activity! It is called “How Did The Moon Form?” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/06/moon-formation-activity/)
Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!
Head over to https://shop.spectacularsci.com now to get your Spectacular Science merch!

Asteroid 2024 YR4 has been in the eyes of scientists lately. This asteroid has a slight chance of hitting Earth in 2032. All of these factors are changing daily and the chance that the asteroid will actually hit is changing rapidly, from 3.1% to less than 1%. Will this actually asteroid hit Earth in 2032 and how big is this asteroid? Why are the numbers changing so much? What can scientists do about this? In this episode, I will explain all of the questions!
Visit NASA’s info page about 2024 YR4 here: https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/asteroids/2024-yr4/
Visit ESA’s info page here: https://blogs.esa.int/rocketscience/2025/02/04/asteroid-2024-yr4-latest-updates/
Here’s an article! It is called “3 Types of Asteroids – Explained” (https://spectacularsci.com/2025/02/3-types-of-asteroids-article/)
Here’s an activity! It is called “Asteroid Belt Drawing Activity!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2025/02/asteroid-belt-drawing-activity/)
Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

Right now, we are in the age of AI or Artificial Intelligence. They are paving the way for new groundbreaking technologies. But, the use of AI actually uses up a lot of water. Why does this happen? What are these environmental impacts of water and AI? In this episode, I will be explaining to you the science behind water, AI, and why it is using up our water resources.
Here’s an article! It is called “How Computers Work” (https://spectacularsci.com/2025/02/how-computers-work/)
Here’s an activity! It is called “AI In the Future!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2025/02/ai-in-the-future-activity/)
Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!
Head over to https://shop.spectacularsci.com now to get your Spectacular Science merch!

Welcome to the 200th episode of Spectacular Science! In this special episode, I will be joined by Dr. Charles Hillman! Dr. Hillman studies exercise and its impacts on the body at Northeastern University. This episode is all about exercise, moving your body, and the science behind the benefits of exercise. Simply keeping yourself active has endless positive impacts! Learn more about it in this special episode!
Head over to https://shop.spectacularsci.com now to get your Spectacular Science merch! Get 20% off your order with code SPECTACULAR200
Thank you so much for everything over the past 200 episodes! I have learned and grown a lot and it is all thanks to you, my audience! I am excited to continue my journey with Spectacular Science in the new year and have many more exciting interviews and topics in store!
I will be back with new episodes in Season 9 on February 18th, 2024!

Infinity mirrors are a fascinating phenomenon that seem to defy the laws of physics! But really, it’s just some amazing science and a very interesting optical illusion. How do infinity mirrors work, and what crazy science goes on behind the scenes? In this episode, I will explain the science of this phenomenon and more!
Here’s an article! It is called “What Are Mirrors?” (https://spectacularsci.com/2022/01/what-are-mirrors/)
Here’s an activity! It is called “Discovering Infinity Mirrors” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/12/discovering-infinity-mirrors/)
Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

Triangles are one of the strongest geometric shapes! You can see them everywhere in buildings and architecture such as bridges and the Eiffel Tower. How are triangles so strong and what is the science that goes behind figuring that out? In this episode, I will take you behind the science and the engineering marvels behind triangles and why they are used almost everywhere.
Here’s an article! It is called “The Science of the Triangle’s Strength” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/12/the-science-of-the-triangles-strength/)
Here’s an activity! It is called “Triangle Truss Building Challenge!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/12/triangle-truss-building-activity/)
Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

We all eat a lot of fruits and vegetables every day! Some of this fresh produce contains something that has a large impact on humans and ecosystems: pesticides. Produce that contains pesticides may have impacts on the environment, on animals, and even humans who eat it. Why are pesticides used, what are their impacts, and how can we make healthy choices when it comes to buying produce? In this episode, I will be speaking with Dr. Changmou Xu, assistant professor of food processing at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Xu studies pesticides, their impacts, and how to limit exposure to these harsh chemicals.
Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

Heat moves all around us! In fact, as heat moves, the method of transfer has a lot of science behind it. What are the 3 types of heat transfer, how do they work, and how do they impact the world around us? In this episode, I will explain the 3 types of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation and go into detail on how each mode of transfer works!
Here’s an article! It is called “What Are The 3 Types of Heat Transfer?” (https://spectacularsci.com/2022/03/what-are-the-3-types-of-heat-transfer/)
Here’s an activity! It is called “Examples of Heat Transfer Worksheet” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/12/examples-of-heat-transfer-worksheet/)
Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

Titan, one of Saturn’s many moons, is very mysterious and interesting! It has oceans of liquid methane, an atmosphere, and more. Scientists are still working to find out more about Titan and how this may relate to the quest for life. In this episode, I will be speaking with Dr. Lauren Schurmeier from the University of Hawaii. Dr. Schurmeier studies Titan, its impact craters, and its crust.
Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

Green is universally seen as the color for “go”, but why? What is the science behind green being such a universal “go” color? Why do traffic lights around the world use green? And why do other colors, such as red and yellow, mean certain things to humans? What’s so special about these colors? In this episode, I will take you into the science of color psychology, the science of the visible light spectrum, and what these colors really mean.
Here’s an article! It is called “The Visible Light Spectrum” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/02/visible-light-spectrum/)
Here’s an activity! It is called “Observing Colors Around You!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/11/observing-colors-activity/)
Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), launched in 2021, is changing the way astronomers are seeing everything in the universe. James Webb is the largest telescope in space and has discovered many new findings in its almost 3 years in orbit. How does the James Webb Telescope work and how is it changing the way we view space? In this episode, I will take you behind the science of this engineering and scientific marvel, its discoveries, and more.
Here’s an article! It is called “How Telescopes Work!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/07/how-telescopes-work/)
Here’s an activity! It is called “Telescopes Worksheet! Activity” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/07/telescopes-worksheet-activity/)
Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

Modern-day chickens are actually distantly related to the t-rex, a ferocious dinosaur that lived millions of years ago! In fact, modern-day birds are related to ancient dinosaurs! They look different, but really they are related. How is this possible? In this episode, I take you into the science of dinosaurs, birds, evolution, and how they are distantly related.
Here’s an article! It is called “How Earth Supports Diverse Life” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/11/how-earth-supports-diverse-life/)
Here’s an activity! It is called “Animal Family Trees! Activity” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/11/animal-family-trees-activity/)
Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

Life has always been a mystery. The building blocks, origins, and more are some of the biggest questions in science! The Miller-Urey experiment, conducted in 1952-53, changed our understanding of how life came about and got us one step closer to finding the true answer! What was the Miller-Urey experiment and what the scientists find? In this episode, I will explain this groundbreaking experiment, its results, and what is tells us about the origin of life.
Here’s an article! It is called “What Cells Are – Explained” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/10/cells-explained-article/)
Here’s an activity! It is called “Miller-Urey Experiment Diagram Worksheet!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/10/miller-urey-diagram-worksheet/)
Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

Even though you can’t see it, space junk orbiting around the Earth is a very big problem. But what exactly is it, how much of it is circling the Earth, and what are scientists doing to tackle this problem? In this episode, I will take you into the science of space debris and uncover what is really is, and the things scientists are doing to make sure space is safe.
Here’s an article! It is called “What Is Low Earth Orbit?” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/10/what-is-low-earth-orbit/)
Here’s an activity! It is called “The Solution to Space Junk!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/10/solution-to-space-junk-activity/)
Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

Calories are listed everywhere. On food packages, nutrition plans, and more! What is a calorie exactly and what does it really mean for our body? Why is consuming a certain amount of calories important? What role does it play in our everyday lives? In this episode, I will take you into the science of energy, how it is harnessed by our bodies, and what a calorie really measures.
Here’s an article! It is called “What is Cellular Respiration Process?” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/10/what-is-cellular-respiration-process/)
Here’s an activity! It is called “Calories Scavenger Hunt!” (https://spectacularsci.com/2024/10/calories-scavenger-hunt/)
Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!

Glaciers! These giant “rivers of ice” are mind-blowing and fascinating to learn about. How are glaciers changing on Earth and how is that tied to climate change? In this episode, I will be speaking with Neosha Narayanan. Neosha studies glaciers and ice sheets at Georgia Tech and is a glaciology PhD student. In this episode, we will learn about the science of glaciers, why they’re important, and how they are changing in our actively changing world.
Do you have science questions that you want answered on an episode? Grab an adult and head over to https://spectacularsci.com/contact!