SolveItForKids Science podcast

Jennifer Swanson/Jeff Gonyea

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!

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200 episodes
Updated May 27, 2025

Episodes200

Newest first

Aug 3, 2021 · 31 min
How Can 3D Printers Make Implants?
Did you know that scientists are developing ways to use 3D printers to make tendons? Yep. Those flexible cord-like parts of your body that attach muscles to bones are very important. Especially if you play sports! Listen to this fascinating and FUN chat with Dr. Noelia Dominguez as she explains how her research involves using 3D printers to create implants that can repair damage tendons. Don't forget to do the activity that she shares with us.
Jul 27, 2021 · 32 min
How Do Scientists LISTEN to Black Holes?
Did you know that you can HEAR Black Holes colliding out in space? It's true! Scientists have discovered that by listening to gravitational waves, they can actually hear a black hole, billions of miles away, colliding with another one. Don't miss this awesome chat with Dr. Eric Thrane, astrophysicist and cosmologist as he shares real data with us. Can YOU hear a black hole? Listen in and find out!
Jul 20, 2021 · 31 min
How are YOU Like a Dung Beetle?
Have you ever wondered how YOU are like a dung beetle? Probably not. And yet, there are similiarities that might surprise you. Don't miss this informative and yes, hilariously rocking-good time with biologist and Assistant Professor Dr. Anne Estes as she takes us on a trip to the tiny world of microbes and introduces us to the dung beetle!
Jul 13, 2021 · 27 min
How Do You Keep Astronauts Alive in Space?
Just how much science and engineering goes into keeping astronauts alive in space? A LOT! Systems engineer Bailey Burns gives us a peek inside the role a space company plays in creating technology to sustain life in space! Yes, it's the #ninjaneergirl herself. You won't want to miss this exciting and cosmic chat!
Jul 6, 2021 · 29 min
Why are Squid Squishy?
Did you know that a squid can be as long as a school bus or as tiny as your thumb? Learn these and other squid fun facts from the amazing Dr. Sarah McAnulty as she chats with hosts Jennifer and Jeff about these awesome ocean creatures. Squid may just end up being your favorite cephalopod!
Jun 29, 2021 · 29 min
How Can Science Help Us to Solve Crimes?
Ever watch those crime TV shows and wonder how the forensic scientists process all that evidence? Listen to this fun and informative chat with Dr. Kelly Elkins, biochemist and forensic scientist. Learn all about DNA, fingerprints, and solving for clues!
Jun 22, 2021 · 28 min
How Will Physics Help Us to Capture an Alien?
Physicist and Space Education specialist Melinda Bradley talks to us about how PHYSICS is all around us. Forces determine how we will travel to space, work in it, and yes, even one day perhaps discover aliens. This fact-filled and FUN chat will have you gravitating to a new way of looking at the world! Check out our podcast here: https://blog.feedspot.com/science_podcasts_for_kids/
Jun 15, 2021 · 31 min
What Do You Need to Know Operate a Rover on Mars?
Ever wonder how engineers on Earth operate Rovers on another planet? It's not as easy as you think. Listen to our podcast with NASA JPL mechanical engineer Brian Franz who has worked on both the Perserverance and Curiosity Rovers on MARS!! He gives us a peek behind the scenes of daily Rover operations. This is out-of-this-world episode is NOT to be missed!
Jun 8, 2021 · 23 min
Why Would You Want to Eat a Cricket?
Join the Solve It for Kids hosts Jennifer and Jeff and their guest, Entomologist Devan George, on this trip through the science of tiny creatures-- BUGS! Learn about the types of bugs Devan studies and why YOU should try a cricket for lunch. (Hint: it's not only tasty, it's also nutritious)
Jun 1, 2021 · 26 min
How Do You Find a Hidden Giraffe?
Listen to this awesome chat with giraffe scientist and wildlife conservationist David Brown as we chat about all the different ways scientists can tell giraffes apart. Did you know a group of giraffes is called a tower? Learn this and more fun facts about giraffes like how their spots help them to hide in their environment.
May 25, 2021 · 32 min
How Can Photography Inspire Conservation?
We are delighted to welcome back two of our aweseom previous Solve It! guests, Dr. Brian Helmuth and Keith Ellenbogen. They will share a wonderful project they've teamed up on to help promote conservation using science and photography! Don't miss this AWESOME chat!
May 18, 2021 · 27 min
How Do You Stay Dry on a Rainy Day
Listen to this special ONE YEAR Anniversary taping of the Solve It For Kids podcast as Meteorologist Samantha Jacques from WZZM 13 On Your Side chats with us about all things WEATHER! Learn how meteorologists predict the weather using all kinds of science information (and how do they know where to point on that green screen?) You just may learn a few tips to avoid those rainstorms and keep you dry.
May 11, 2021 · 26 min
How Do Fossils Help Our Cars Go?
Ever wonder how fossils turn into oil and gas that makes our cars go? And how do scientists and engineers know which rock to look under to find it? Listen to this FUN and informative chat with Sri Lankan-Canadian chemical engineer Maria Marianayagam as she talks all things fossils, oil fields, and fuel!
May 4, 2021 · 27 min
How Do We FEEL Things? #BrainScience
Listen as Dr. Theanne Griffith, neuroscientist and children's author, explains how our central nervous system works. Tons of AWESOME kid-friendly explanations and experiments to try at home. #BrainScience is FUN!
Apr 27, 2021 · 25 min
How Do You Have a Snowball Fight on Mars?
Our guest today is mechanical engineer and children's author Suzanne Slade. She is going to share with us all of the COOL things NASA has learned about MARS from HiRise.
Apr 20, 2021 · 22 min
The BEST of the OCEAN... Again
Today we are celebrating a NEW Cohost for the Solve It for Kids Podcast. Please welcome Jeff Gonyea! And now take a listen to a few clips from the our BEST of the Ocean episodes, which includes Sea Turtle scientist Carlee Jackson, ocean photographer Keith Ellenbogen, and famed Aquanaut Fabien Cousteau
Apr 13, 2021 · 23 min
The BEST of SPACE---Again!
Today we listen to a replay of some of the best SPACE moments from our Solve It for Kids podcast. Our guests include Dr. Darlene Lim, Astronaut Cady Coleman, and Suzanne Slade.
Apr 6, 2021 · 23 min
Why Should We Care About Bio-Diversity?
Famed oceanographer Philippe Cousteau Jr is on the podcast to tell us why we should all care about bio-diversity. Philippe explains that the world is filled with a beautifully diverse rainbow of animals, insects, plants, bacteria and even viruses, each playing a role in helping the planet.
Mar 30, 2021 · 25 min
How Do We Photograph Wildlife At Night?
Award winning documentary filmmaker and author Tony Lee Moral tells us how we can photograph wildlife at night, and how that can help animals. Tony also tells us about the fascinating story of P 22, a mountain lion who lives in Los Angeles' Griffith Park.
Mar 23, 2021 · 25 min
How Do You Diagnose Someone
Physician & children's author Dr Ragain LaRocca is on the show to tell us how a doctor is able to diagnose illness in a patient. You won't believe what doctors had to do in the past! She also has a fun challenge for us.