Many factors can lead to a failed experiment -- human errors, errors in measurement, and sometimes just random errors. In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers share tales of when their experiments didn’t go as planned.
Part 1: As a new science teacher, Zeke Kossover is determined to capture the attention of his students.
Part 2: While on a field exp ... Show More
Aug 22
Becoming Your Hero: Stories about embodying a role model
In this week’s episode, both of our storytellers transform into someone they admire—one quite literally, the other more figuratively.Part 1: While juggling climate science studies and a budding comedy career, Rollie Williams finds an unexpected niche impersonating his environment ... Show More
25m 47s
Aug 8
Sticky Fingers: Stories about theft
In this week’s episode, we explore what pushes someone to steal, and how it feels to be the one robbed.Part 1: With a potential cancer diagnosis looming and his health insurance about to vanish, David Crabb finds an envelope stuffed with $100 bills. Part 2: When Zakiya Whatley bo ... Show More
31m 36s
Jan 2023
The James Webb Space Telescope - the first 6 months
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has produced amazing images in its first 5 months, but amazing science as well. Roland hears from one of the leading astronomers on the JWST programme, Dr Heidi Hammel, as well as other experts on what they are already learning about the first ga ... Show More
1h 3m
Jul 2023
Babbage: Summer science lessons
How much science do you remember from school? Do you know how a simple electric motor works, or what the Doppler effect is? Basic physics is taught early in schools, but is easily forgotten.
To learn some basic science, we travel this week to the Royal Institution (RI) in Londo ... Show More
37m 31s
Nov 2023
The unexpected outcomes of artist-scientist collaborations
Artist and illustrator Lucy Smith helps botanists to identify new species. Usually they request a set of drawings, she says, with a detailed set of requirements.
But Smith, who joined London’s Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, more than 20 years ago, says: “We also feed back to the sci ... Show More
23m 48s