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

Nov 21, 2023 · 39 min
Do All Jellyfish have Stinging Snot?
Do all jellyfish have stinging SNOT? This is a question you probably never thought to ask, but now really want to know the answer to, right? Well, take a listen to the awesome Jennie Janssen, assistant curator at the National Aquarium and President and cofounder of MIAZS as she explains this rather intriguing and little known characteristic of some jellyfish.
Nov 14, 2023 · 30 min
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.
Nov 7, 2023 · 30 min
What Skills do Space Entrepreneurs Need?
Have you ever considered being a space entrepreneur? What is it? And How can you become one? Our guest, Vered Cohen-Barzilay, CEO of Out of the Box Space Innovations will explain how YOU can become a space entrepreneur yourself!
Oct 31, 2023 · 38 min
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.
Oct 24, 2023 · 34 min
How Do You Hack Your Ability to Learn?
Have you every really thought about how you learn? What are your good and not-so-great habits of learning? We have Dr. Justin Sung, medical doctor, researcher, certified teacher, learning coach, and CEO of ICanStudy.com on our show today to talk about how to "hack" your brain to learn more efficiently. Get ready to learn HOW to learn!
Oct 17, 2023 · 34 min
What Would it be Like to Live on Mars?
Have YOU ever wondered what it would be like to live on Mars? We have just the right person to answer this question. The awesome Janet Ivey Duensing, Creator and CEO of Janet's Planet and the Director of Education for Explore Mars! You'll leave this episode wanting to don your spacesuit and head to the red planet soon.
Oct 10, 2023 · 32 min
What's it like to Fly a Plane Across the Ocean?
Have you ever wondered what it's like to fly one of those giant airplanes across the ocean? We have Cran Middlecoat, pilot and aerospace nerd, on this episode to tell us all about it. Cran is not only a pilot, but also a huge advocate for STEM and most of all kids in aviation and aerospace, as he's also the founder of It's Rocket Science!
Oct 3, 2023 · 34 min
What's it like to Live Underwater?
Would you like to live underwater? It would definitely be different but so cool! Take a listen to awesome aquanaut Liz Magee, as she shares all of the amazing adventures she had under the sea.
Sep 26, 2023 · 33 min
How Do You Make Sound for a Movie?
When you watch a movie, how much do you pay attention to the sound? If it's done right, sound is one of the biggest effects that makes you feel like you're really "in" the movie. We have the awesome Bob Pepek, Sound designer and owner of MelonCollie Productions, to explain just how sound is created and added to a movie, cartoon, or video to make it come alive!
Sep 19, 2023 · 35 min
How Do You Program AI Robots?
If you've been listening to the news lately, you know that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere. So, is it possible to get your own robot? Maybe not now, but one day. And when that day happens, Dr. Elliott Heflin, Jr., CEO/Founder realitytechs.com is here to tell us how easy it can be to program an AI robot. How cool!
Sep 12, 2023 · 31 min
How Do You Fly a Helicopter on Mars?
Have you every wondered just how difficult it is to fly a helicopter on another planet? It's not easy! Keri Bean an engineer who worked on the Ingenuity helicopter that has flown on Mars explains exactly how it's done. Don't miss this exciting and informative chat!
Sep 5, 2023 · 31 min
How Does Drinking Water Get to Your House?
When you're thirsty, you probably just turn on a tap and water comes out. You may not think about how that drinking water got to your house. Our guest, Charles (Trip) Barton, a civil engineer with a large American water company, will explain just how that happens.
Aug 29, 2023 · 30 min
How Do You Protect Native Bees?
Did you know that there are red bees, green bees, and even blue bees? We didn't! Don't miss this fascinating episode all about native bees and how we can help protect them from bee lover Julie Travaglini, Senior Director of Education and Curriculum at Allegheny Land Trust.
Aug 22, 2023 · 35 min
How Do You Get a Rocket Ready for Launch?
Have you ever wondered how those giant space rockets are prepared for launch? It takes a lot of planning and testing. We are excited to chat with Nathalie Quintero, an aerospace engineer with Boeing who works on the on Space Launch System (SLS) program as the Core Stage Launch Operations Lead. Doesn't that sound like a cool job? Take a listen and find out some amazing facts about how to get a rocket ready for launch
Aug 15, 2023 · 33 min
What Would Happen if we didn't have Magnets?
This is probably not a question that you would think to ask, but it's actually a very important one. What DO magnets and magnetism do for us? A LOT. Take a listen to this fascinating chat with Dr. Dario Arena, Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at USF as he explains just how important magnets are to our everyday life
Aug 8, 2023 · 38 min
What is an Atmospheric River?
Have you been watching the news and heard the term -- atmospheric river? Well, our guest, Dr. Kristine Harper, is here to explain what one is and how they affect our planet. Don't miss this very intriguing chat about weather science and STEM careers
Aug 1, 2023 · 31 min
How Can you Solve a Problem Using NASA Data?
Did you know that NASA collects all kinds of data about our world? You can learn about clouds, trees, weather patterns, planets, moons, deep space and more. And the cool thing is all of this data is open to the public. Cindy Chin, NASA Datanaut, joins us for an exciting and informative chat about ways you can use this data. She also tells us about NASA's Data App Challenge and gives us information about how to participate!
Jul 25, 2023 · 24 min
The BEST of Thinking Like an Engineer
The Solve It for Kids Podcast is on vacation for the month of July. But we have left you a great clip of three episodes that show the BEST of Thinking Like an Engineer! Listen to short chats from these three amazing guests: Dr. Jermey Matthews (Ep 91: How Do Scientists Get Kids Excited about STEM?), Dr. Cory Hixon (Ep. 77: How do Engineers Think?) and Tracy Drain (Ep 124: How Do You Study Another Planet's Moon?). Enjoy these fun and interesting topics and see you next week for new episodes!
Jul 18, 2023 · 23 min
The BEST of Space Exploration (to the Moon)
The Solve It for Kids podcast is on summer break! But we have left you a few clips of some the best space exploration episodes to enjoy. Take a listen to Carl Sandifer from NASA Glenn Research Center, (How do you Power a Spacecraft?), Dr. Sarah D'Souza from NASA Ames Reserach Center (Why does a spacecraft need a heat shield?) and Julie Wolfson at Lockheed Martin (How do you slow down a spaceship?). Don't miss these out-of-this-world episodes!
Jul 11, 2023 · 23 min
The BEST of Studying Animals
The Solve It for Kids podcast is on vacation for the month of July. But don't worry, we've left some of our favorite episodes for you to enjoy. This week it's the BEST of Studying Animals. You'll hear clips from previous episodes with Dr. Mireya Mayor (primatology), Doug Wechsler (army ants), and Dr. Monica Bond (giraffes). We hope you have fun learning about these amazing scientists and the animals they love studying.