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    SolveItForKids podcast

    Solve It! for Kids - The science podcast for curious & creative kids and their families. Peek into the world of real-life scientists, engineers, and experts as they solve problems in their every day jobs. Kids and families are then invited to take on a challenge and solve a problem themselves! Join Jennifer Swanson and Jeff Gonyea as they ask questions, solve problems, and offer challenges that take curiosity and creativity to a whole new level. Don’t forget to participate in our weekly challenges! If you do, you can be entered to win a free book. (Different book every month!)
    enJennifer Swanson/Jeff Gonyea100 Episodes

    Episodes (100)

    What Would it Look Like if We Lived in Space?

    What Would it Look Like if We Lived in Space?

    What do you think it would look like if we lived in space? Would we have houses? Mobile homes? Moon buggies? What kind of food would we eat? Entrepreneur and Axiom astronaut John Shoffner is here to talk to us about what it's like to live in space for a short time. And he challenges us to participate in the International Space Art and Poetry Contest to share your ideas! 

    How do Old Wind Turbines Blades Become Art?

    How do Old Wind Turbines Blades Become Art?

    Have you seen those giant wind turbines across the country? Ever wondered what happens to the blades when they have to be replaced? They can be recycled! Take a listen to our guest, Brian Donahue, with Canvus, a company who manufactures furniture out of old wind turbine blades. You may have some of these awesome structures in your community right now. What an awesome combination of STEM, ART, and recycling. 

    Where Could We Find Life in the Solar System?

    Where Could We Find Life in the Solar System?

    We now know that the universe is vast and filled with billions of stars. But where could we find life? It's such a big place to search, so why not start with our own solar system. What are we doing to search for life here? Natasha Carr, a PhD candidate studying physics and space science at the University of Leicester, has a lot of thoughts about this. She is sharing them with us today. Don't miss this excellent out-of-this-world episode! 

    How Can You Use Music to Get Kids Excited About STEM?

    How Can You Use Music to Get Kids Excited About STEM?

    How can you get kids excited about STEM? Put it to music! That's exactly what our guest today has done. Victor Villegas is a Digital and Technology Coordinator for Oregon State University by day and the "DroneSinger" at night! You'll want to tune in to hear how Victor turns STEM topics in to amazing music and songs.  You may even get to hear one performed on the show! 

    SolveItForKids podcast
    enFebruary 06, 2024

    How Can You Prepare for the Total Solar Eclipse?

    How Can You Prepare for the Total Solar Eclipse?

    Are you aware that there will be a total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024? This amazing event doesn't happen very often, so you should really try to see it. But how can you prepare to see one? Dan Schneiderman, Eclipse Partnership Coordinator at the Rochester Museum and Science Center is here to give us tons of tips. Don't miss this awesome episode or the eclipse!

    How Do You Study the Smallest Things?

    How Do You Study the Smallest Things?

    Welcome to the 8th season of Solve It for Kids! We start our new season off right by exploring some of the tiniest things in the universe... particles you can't even see. Dr. Katy Grimm, associate professor of physics at Cal State University East Bay and her research is performed at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research that operates the large Hadron Collider. In other words, Dr. Katy is one of the best people to answer our episode topic because she STUDIES some of the smallest things in the universe! 

    The BEST of Energy and Engineering

    The BEST of Energy and Engineering

    Happy 2024! The Solve It for Kids Podcast team of Jennifer and Jeff are still on holiday break. We have left you a few clips from some of our favorite episodes about energy and engineering. Get ready to ... learn how to get energy from the wind, learn how drinking water gets to your house, and also how you get materials from the Earth. Such wonderful STEM topics to explore! 

    How Do You Build a Space Station?

    How Do You Build a Space Station?

    Twenty-five years ago, last week (December 6, 2008), the International Space Station was created. Bob Cabana, astronaut and Associate Administrator of NASA, was on that special mission. He is with us today to talk about what it felt like to be a part of that historic event, his amazing career at NASA, and also to encourage kids (of all ages) to pursue their dreams whatever they may be. 

    Do Animals have Feelings?

    Do Animals have Feelings?

    Have you ever wondered if your pets or animals have feelings?  Dr. Carl Safina, best-selling author, a TED speaker, and a leader in the field of conservation biology. He is on our show to give his expert insight into just what our animals might be thinking. Don't miss this fun and exciting episode! 

    Why is the International Space Station so Important?

    Why is the International Space Station so Important?

    The International Space Station, (ISS) orbits the Earth 16 times every day. But it's so much more than just a spacecraft. The ISS is a laboratory in space that provides awesome information about living and working in microgravity. Listen to Erin Winick Anthony, science communicator, founder of STEAM Powered Media, and former NASA engineer explain just how important the ISS is to us here on Earth.  

    How Would you Send a Message to an Extraterrestrial?

    How  Would you Send a Message to an Extraterrestrial?

    If you could send a message to an extraterrestrial, what would it say? What language would you use? How would you deliver it? These are all great questions and ones that we discuss in this  fun and informative chat with  Julia Brodsky, STEM Education lead at Blue Marble Initiative and former NASA Astronaut instructor, as she helps us to consider some things that we might think about IF we were ever to converse with an extraterrestrial.