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

Sep 27, 2022 · 39 min
How Do You Study Another Planet's Moon?
Did you know that Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, may contain twice as much water as all of the Earth's oceans combined? Learn this and other amazing facts from Tracy Drain, the lead flight systems engineer for NASA's Europa Clipper Mission. Don't miss this awesome chat about all things space, science, and astronomical fun!!
Sep 20, 2022 · 32 min
How Can Math Blow Your Mind?
If you've ever thought math was boring, you HAVE to listen to this episode! Cindy Lawrence, the CEO and Executive Director of the National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath), will explain how much fun you can have with math-- it will BLOW your mind!! Don't miss this exciting and entertaining chat. You may just even learn how to ride a bicycle with square wheels!
Sep 13, 2022 · 38 min
How Do You Get to the Bottom of the Ocean?
If you've ever wonder what's at the bottom of the ocean, you won't want to miss this episode! The fabulous Dr. Rosa Leon-Zayas, environmental microbiologist, shares with us her special deep dive into the ocean on the Alvin! The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution submersible was certified to dive to its deepest depths yet near her home country of Puerto Rico.
Sep 6, 2022 · 33 min
How Do You Tell the Age of a Tree?
Do you ever look at some really tall trees and wonderhow old they are? How can you tell? Listen to this FUN episode with award-winning science author and photographer Alexandra Siy as she tells us about her quest to find the world's oldest tree! It will have you searching for pine cones and leaves in your own backyard.
Aug 30, 2022 · 37 min
How Do You Measure the Size and Shape of a Star?
We love to look at stars. But have you ever wondered just how big stars are? Listen to this fascinating chat with Dr. Gerard van Belle, Chief Scientist for the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer at Lowell Observatory and he is going to tell us about the cool technology they use to determine the size and shape of stars. You may never look at the stars the same again!
Aug 23, 2022 · 37 min
How is Cloud Watching Helpful for Science?
While we all love to do a bit of cloud watching, have you ever thought about the science behind clouds? There is so much more to clouds than just fun animal shapes and rain. Take a listen to the fascinating chat with Jessica Taylor, physical scientist, at NASA's Langley Research Center as she tells us all about how clouds really do help us to learn about the science of our planet!
Aug 16, 2022 · 31 min
Is it Easy to Land a Helicopter on a Ship?
Have you ever wondered how military pilots land helicopters on a planes that are floating on the ocean? Listen to retired Coast Guard helicopter pilot, Elizabeth Booker explain just how difficult it can be. Don't miss this rocking and rolling episode!
Aug 9, 2022 · 37 min
How Can You Save Baby Sea Turtles?
Have you ever wondered how you can make a difference? It doesn't take a lot of training or experience, it just takes an idea and a determination to succeed. Take a listen to Dr. Marsha Tufft, engineer, as she talks about how she designed an object to help save sea turtles! (and she's not even a biologist!). You may just learn how you can help, too.
Aug 2, 2022 · 22 min
The BEST of Flight!
Soar through the stratosphere with a few of our BEST of Flight episodes! You'll hear from LCDR Becky Shaw (Why Would You Fly into a Hurricane), Norman Black (Why Do Science Experiments Travel By Balloon instead of Jet?), and Nils Larson, NASA's X-59 test pilot (Why Do Planes Make a Sonic Boom?). You'll have such fun revisiting these classic clips that you'll want to go back and listen to the original chats again. Enjoy the flights!
Jul 26, 2022 · 22 min
The BEST of Amazing Engineering
Love to learn about the wonders of engineering and technology? Don't miss this fabulous episode with snippets from AMAZING engineering!! Dr. Arturo Dominguez discusses (How To Hold the Sun in a Donut), Dr. Anna Michel chats abt (How to Design a Sensor to Learn about the Deep Ocean) and Jim Geffre (How Will We Send Astronauts Back to the Moon). Scientists/engineers from Princeton's Plasma Physics Lab, WHOI and NASA will take you to the edges of new technology!
Jul 19, 2022 · 21 min
The BEST of Aquatic Animals
Take a deep dive into the ocean with this BEST of Aquatic Animals episode. You'll get snippets of shows featuring Dr. Amy Apprill (Do Whales Have Germs?), Gretchen Burson (How Do You Train a Shark?) and Dr. Katie Lotterhos (Can You Predict Which Animals will Survive Environmental Change?) If you love these, then go back and listen to the originals.
Jul 12, 2022 · 19 min
The BEST of Ice!
Enjoy this COOL selection of a few of our BEST of ICE episodes with Dr. Ulyana Horodyskj (How are Glaciers Nature's Time Machine), Dr. Will Grundy (Why Do We Study Alien Ice?) and Dr. Alan Stern (What is it Like to Fly by Pluto?) If you love these "shorts" go back and listen to the whole episodes here or on our website. Have fun chilling out!
Jul 5, 2022 · 30 min
Can You Use Rocks to Store Carbon Dioxide?
If you're interested in how scientists are combatting climate change, take a listen to this intriguing and informative episode with geologist Katrin Steinthorsdottir, who is working with a company to tap into the natural carbon-storing process rocks use to help offset the build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmopshere. Don't miss this important episode!
Jun 28, 2022 · 35 min
How Do You Count Penguins?
If you love penguins, and birds in general, you're going to LOVE this episode! We have the awesome Noah Strycker, penguin scientist and birder, on the show talking about how he counts pengiuns in Antarctica. AND he shares his BIG YEAR in Birding. You won't believe how many species of birds Noah identified in one year. Don't miss this exciting episode!
Jun 21, 2022 · 34 min
How Can You Recognize Every Giraffe in the World?
Do you love giraffes? We do! And if you do as well, you won't want to miss this exciting and intriguing episode with Dr. Monica Bond, wildlife biologist, as she talks about her experience studying more than 3,500 giraffes in Tanzania. She may just give you clues for how to identify a giraffe!!
Jun 14, 2022 · 29 min
How Does the James Webb Space Telescope See?
If you've ever wondered exactly how the awesome new James Webb Space Telescope will see into space, you won't want to miss this episode. Joe DePasquale, Senior Data Image Developer at the Space Science Telescope Institute (STScI) is here to explain it all. And those amazing images you will see, yes, Joe may be the one producing them!
Jun 7, 2022 · 31 min
How Do You Make Software?
Have you ever wondered how computer software is made? It's not as simple as you might think. Listen to this FUN and fascinating chat with Menlo Innovations CEO Richard Sheridan as he explains how creating software involves not only problem solving, and engineering, but also joy.
May 31, 2022 · 30 min
What's it like to Live in Antarctica?
Are you like us and you've always wanted to visit Antarctica? Well, this is your chance to learn more about this AMAZING place! Take a listen to writer, artist, deep sea diver, and polar explorer Karen Romano Young as she gives us an inside view to one of the coldest continents on the planet!
May 23, 2022 · 32 min
How Do We Know the Dinosaurs Could Fly?
What do you know about flying dinosaurs? A lot? A little? You won't want to miss this fascinating chat with the paleontologist Dr. Jingmai O'Connor of The Field Museum in Chicago. You will definitely learn something new-- including how to spot dinosaurs in your backyard.
May 17, 2022 · 32 min
How Can You Keep Your Computer Safe??
Want to know how to keep your computer safe? Cybersecurity engineer and children's author Ella Schwartz, gives us tips that you can do right now! Don't forget to try her challenge. We can all use a way to come up with more secure passwords.