On Today's Podcast
100 Years Later, Quantum Science Is Still Weird
This year marks the 100th anniversary of two papers that sparked the field of quantum mechanics.
Listen NowOctober 10, 2025
We check in on some exciting space missions and projects from IMAP to LIGO. Plus, in “Dinner With King Tut,” Sam Kean shows how experimental archaeology can recreate the stinky, slimy, and tasty parts of ancient history. And, behind the scenes of the removal of four dams along the Klamath River, and the massive restoration effort that’s followed.
18:24
Diving Headfirst Into Football Season With A New Look At Concussion Research
Researchers discover you don’t need a concussion to cause changes to the brain.
27:37
Randall Munroe’s ‘How To’ Guide For Everyday Problems
In his book “How To,” Randall Munroe answers how to send a file, charge your phone, and other everyday questions with uncommon solutions.
33:34
Widening The Lens On A More Inclusive Science
Indigenous peoples have been observing the world for thousands of years. Why are they still underrepresented in science?
Relearning The Star Stories Of Indigenous Peoples
How the lost constellations of Indigenous North Americans can connect culture, science, and inspire the next generation of scientists.
How Serena Williams Destroyed A Drone With A Tennis Ball
Tennis legend Serena Williams hits the court to face off with a drone in this excerpt from Randall Munroe’s “How To.”
SciFri Extra: Bird Nerds Of A Feather Flock Together
New York’s biggest bird enthusiasts discuss their favorite birds to see in the city and how to protect them from urban hazards.
10:56
Soft Robot Gives Jellyfish A Hug
Studying the ocean’s delicate creatures requires a soft (robotic) touch.
12:20
Hurricane Watch And An Ocean Arrival
All eyes are on the Atlantic this week as Hurricane Dorian approaches, and Greta Thunberg arrives in New York City.
17:55
What We Know And Don’t Know About The Mysterious Vaping Illness
An Illinois patient died from the illness last week. Now, health researchers are investigating the dangers of vaping and how it should be regulated.
17:27
Use These Free STEM Resources Made For Teachers, By Teachers
The teachers of today are training the scientists of the future with lessons from SciFri’s Educator Collaborative.
35:03
Retooling The Tourism Industry Under A Changing Climate
From the ski slopes to casinos, how climate change is affecting the tourism industry in Lake Tahoe and other recreation communities.
Movement And Mutualism: Modeling Ecosystem Interactions
In this educational resource, students will use dance to represent ecosystem relationships.
6:11
The Amazon Is Burning
Brazil is overseeing unprecedented destruction of the world’s natural resource.
5:32
What’s The Charge… For An Electric Car Charge?
In North Carolina, electric vehicle charging stations will start operating more like gas pumps.
12:15
Trying To Find Life On Mars? Start In The Australian Outback.
The Mars 2020 mission will search for ancient life on Mars. It might know what to look for thanks to a primordial rock in the Australian outback.
17:37
How We Use Land Contributes To Climate Change
The 2019 IPCC Report explains how proper land management could help or hurt the environment.
17:27
Are Firefly Populations ‘Blinking Out’?
Fireflies are vulnerable to habitat loss, pesticides, and light pollution.
34:04
SciFri Book Club: One For The Birds
A celebration of the tool-users, the problem-solvers, and the songbirds. Plus, can we ever truly understand animal minds?
Make Your Own Sauropod Poop!
How did dinosaurs digest the food they ate? Using modern animals as models, make your own digestive system to learn more.
7:56
The Trump Administration Rolls Back The Endangered Species Act
Regulators will soon consider lost revenue of protecting endangered species, and other stories in this week’s News Roundup.