Science Underground
Science Underground is a two-minute podcast hosted by scientist and TED speaker Ainissa Ramirez. Each episode explains a science topic in a fun, understandable way, often drawing on current headlines or questions listeners want answered. Ramirez interviews scientists and translates their work into everyday language, providing science nuggets for casual conversation. New episodes are released on Sunday mornings, and many topics align with NGSS.
Episodes
Jim West
Learn about the Hidden Figure behind the microphone.
Using Science to Stop Your Mirror From Fogging Up
The fog on your mirror after you shower can be prevented with a little dab of science. Find out how in just two minutes.
The Ancient Way to Sleep
Our ancestors used to sleep differently. If you looked back you would see them sleep in two parts. The inventions of the light bulb and the clock changed this old way of sleeping.
How An Accident Led To Your Computer
The way to make pure silicon chips was discovered when a chemist accidentally dipped his fountain pen into a crucible of molten tin instead of his inkwell.
How A Jiggling Gem Helps Your Watch Keep Time
Deep in your watch is a small piece of quartz, which creates your clock's ticks and tocks.
The Lady Who Sold Time
In the late 19th century, there was a woman in London name Ruth Beliville who sold time.
The Science of Fireworks
Fireworks are a display of color and chemistry. Everyone loves fireworks, especially astronomers. Find out why.
How Fireflies Make New Medicines
Fireflies light up the summertime night, but the glowing molecules inside them are also used by scientists to make new drugs.
Can We Make A Transporter?
Lots of technologies on Star Trek have become a reality. But what is missing is the transporter. Lawrence Krauss, physicist and author, sheds some light on the possibilities.
Making Ketchup Hurry Up
Ketchup takes a long time to come out of the bottle. Fortunately, science has a few answers for how to help ketchup hurry up.
ZOMBEES
Honeybees are turning into zombie bees after a small fly injects a parasite into them. Scientists are asking everyone to report weird bees at zombeewatch.org.
How Animals Camouflage
Get ready to be introduced to nature's best master of disguise--the cuttlefish.
Smart Shirts
In the future, you will be able to download data from your shirt, which has electronics embedded in the fabric.
How Lightning Makes Magnets
When lightning bolts zap iron minerals they make magnets called lodestones. NASA scientists coax bolts to strike rocks using a trick from Ben Franklin.
Say Cheese, Pandemic
There are special cameras, called thermal cameras, that can detect heat. These cameras are the first defense against threats and diseases.
Saving Monarch Butterflies
Twenty years ago, there were a billion monarch butterflies. Now, there are less than 10 percent of them left. Their disappearance is linked to a weed.
Meat Grown in a Lab
Scientists can now grow beef outside of the cow. In the not-so-distant future, you might get your burger from a beaker.
How Animals Gossip
Imagine if we could talk to the animals. To do so, we will have to think about time differently.
How Plants Know Which Way Is Up
Seeds that are buried deep in the soil need to figure out which way their roots and stem should go. Ends up they have special cells to tell them what's up.
Bubbles that Print
Deep in your ink jet printer are millions of explosions, which cause bubbles that help you print.
Space Suit Secrets
Astronauts wear special suits so that they can work many hours in space. Find out about a special accessory they wear, which is very useful if they drank too much Tang in the morning.
Invisibility Cloaks
Scientists have made invisibility cloaks in the laboratory. What does it take to make something invisible? A bit of brain trickery.
As Sweet As Pi
Pi is the mysterious number of 3.14 that keeps our appliances running, our GPS going, and our clocks ticking. This number is pretty sweet.
How Atoms Keep Time
We keep time by measuring repeating patterns, like a swinging pendulum or the earth's rotation. But, the best way to measure time is with atoms inside atomic clocks.
How Frog's Legs Helped Make the Oscars Possible
In the 1700s, a scientist was dissecting frogs and found the legs twitched when touched with his tools. This freaky experiment allows us to make golden statues and get power from batteries.
Making a Phone Call in Ancient Africa
To send messages over long distances, the ancients used a drum. Recently, scientists have discovered how drum beats travel for miles with the help of the surface of the Nile.
The Science of Chocolate
Chocolate is tasty chemistry. What takes weeks to prepare, takes moments to enjoy. The steps from tree to your tongue are described.
Concussions
Concussions seem to be in the news lately. A leading expert explains what is going on in the brain during a concussion.
High Tech High Heels
The design of the high heel shoe is over a century old. However, there are new materials and modern technologies that can make shoes more comfortable. Fashion engineers are on a mission to rescue hurting feet.
Why is Snow White?
Water is clear, but snow is white. Light dances on the snowflake edges creating this white color.
How Lakes Create Blizzards
Cold dry air from Canada traveling over clear lakes are the ingredients for a miserable winter.
The Science Behind the Gateway Arch
The Gateway Arch is a beautiful example of the marriage between materials and mathematics. The secret behind this monument's longevity is revealed.
The Skinny on Fat
Our waistlines are increasing partly because of our modern diet, but also because of our Stone Age bodies. Back then, food was rare. Now? Not so much.
Light From Sand
LEDs are small lights that come from a material that is under your feet at the beach--sand. The uses of LEDs are almost as numerous as the grains of sand that make them.
This Is Your Brain on CTE
Boston University's Dr. Robert Stern tells us about a brain disease that has been in the news recently -- CTE.
Why Snowflakes Have Six Sides
Snowflakes have six sides. The answer to why can be found in your local supermarket in a stack of oranges.
How Origami Saves Lives
Origami is the ancient art of paper folding. Today, origami can be seen in pizza boxes and fancy napkins, but it can also save your life in a car accident.
How Chameleons Change Color
The colors we see in a chameleon's skin is not really what it seems. Their skin is playing with light in the same way soap bubbles do.
Molecules That Heat The Planet
Sitting in a hot car is the same thing that is happening to the earth. Molecules are trapping heat and warming the planet. If we all work together we can stop this trend.
Taste With Your Nose
While we think the tongue is responsible for taste, actually the nose has a nose for it. Food without your nose would be pretty boring.
How Bubbles Catch Comets
Soap bubbles are not just for kids. Foams can help you from spilling your coffee and can help scientists understand the origin of our solar system.
Tires From Lettuce
There are 2 billion tires sold every year and each takes several gallons of oil to make it. Scientists have found an unusual source of natural rubber that is hidden in your salad.
How Leaves Change Color
The secret for how leaves change color is uncovered. Find out how yellow and orange colors are made and how they are made differently from the reds and the purple colors. The best tree to see in the fall is also revealed.
Football Science with Jerry Rice
NFL legend Jerry Rice discovered something that perplexes rocket scientists. The football looks different if thrown by a left-handed or right-handed quarterback and will drift off its target. The reason? The spin.
Intro to Science Underground
The host of Science Underground invites you to explore the wonders of the world and to get back in touch with your inner scientist. Welcome the the Underground ... Science Underground.
