Mailbag: What Happens When Galaxies Crash?

More from Tumble Science Podcast for Kids

1. 

   S12 · E3 · 9 Oct 2026 · 26 minNew

   The Hugging Robot

   What makes a good hug? That’s what Ryder wants to know. Enter HuggieBot - a robot that helped discover the 11 “ingredients” of a meaningful embrace. We’ll learn why HuggieBot’s creator, Dr. Alexis Block, decided to build a hugging robot, and what a robot can tell us about why hugs matter so much to humans. Watch videos of HuggieBot in action and read the full episode transcript on ⁠our blog⁠. Vote for Tumble! We’re a finalist in the Signal Awards, and you can help us win the Listener’s Choice Award. Voting closes October 15. Join us on Patreon to help us continue to make Tumble, hang out…

2. 

   S12 · E2 · 25 Sep 2026 · 25 min

   Why Does Earth Have a Magnetic Field?

   How did Earth get its magnetic field? And why does it move around? Our listeners have questions about one of Earth’s most mysterious forces. To find out, we go on an archeological expedition in the Middle East, with pioneering paleomagnetist Lisa Tauxe. Lisa has spent decades “hunting” the magnetic field through time, to understand what ancient artifacts can tell us about how the magnetic field has changed. Did you know, magnetic north doesn’t stay in one place – and sometimes it flips? If you feel yourself pulled into this mystery, hit play on this episode! Join on Patreon to help us…

3. 

   18 Sep 2026 · 15 min

   Mailbag: Do Space Wormholes Exist?

   In this mailbag episode, Marshall and Lindsay tackle two listener questions — whether space wormholes are real, and what a fly wing and a carrot could possibly have in common under a microscope. Plus, listener reviews and comments from China! To get an invite to the next Tumble meetup, as well as receive birthday shout outs and ad free versions of the show, go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast and support us! For Tumble t-shirts, visit our store on Dashery: tumblepodcast.dashery.com And don't forget to keep checking our blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com for NGSS alignment,…

4. 

   S12 · E1 · 11 Sep 2026 · 24 min

   Why Do T. Rexes Have Small Arms?

   Why did T. Rex have such tiny arms? That’s what our listener Nora wants to know. We’re going to find out why the biggest, most powerful predator to ever walk the Earth did it with a teeny tiny set of arms. Scientists have been coming up with answers for this question for decades — but science is never settled. Paleontologist Elizabeth Steell has walked into the debate with a stunning theory involving giant heads, evolutionary tradeoffs, and some serious math. Will it convince you? Listen and find out! Join on Patreon to help us continue to make Tumble and be featured on future episodes:…

5. 

   4 Sep 2026 · 18 min

   Mailbag: Why Does the Left Brain Control the Right Side of Your Body? Are Dinosaurs Reptiles or Birds?

   In this final mailbag episode of Summer 2026, Marshall and Lindsay address two listener questions, and learn about a surprising twist of evolution. Plus, listener reviews and comments! To get an invite to the next Tumble meetup, as well as receive birthday shout outs and ad free versions of the show, go to patreon.com/tumblepodcast and support us! For Tumble t-shirts, visit our store on Dashery: tumblepodcast.dashery.com And don't forget to keep checking our blog on our website, sciencepodcastforkids.com for NGSS alignment, activities, and more! Submit your own question and be on our show…

6. 

   28 Aug 2026 · 2 min

   Tumble Science Podcast for Kids Season 12 Starts September 11!

   Why do T. Rexes have tiny arms? Can dogs actually talk? Do we remember dreams or nightmares more? Season 12 of Tumble Science Podcast for Kids drops September 11th — and we're bringing kids' wildest science questions to REAL scientists for the REAL stories behind discovery (plus the jokes and sound design you know we can't resist). Almost 200 episodes in, and we're just getting started. 🚀 🎧 Want it early + ad-free? Pledge $1+ at patreon.com/tumblepodcast 🌐 More at sciencepodcastforkids.com Follow/subscribe now so you don't miss episode 1

7. 

   21 Aug 2026 · 21 min

   The Science of Your Favorite Foods [ENCORE]

   This is a rebroadcast of a favorite episode of Tumble from season 6. What’s your favorite food? Why does it taste so good? It turns out, what we think is tasty isn’t just a matter of opinion. It’s science! Ecologist and science writer Rob Dunn takes us on a journey back in time, before kitchens, cooking, and even farming! We find out how our ancestors’ tastes shaped our own cravings - and how our experiences lead us to pick our favorites. Curious to learn more about the science of taste? Listen to our bonus interview episode with Rob Dunn on Patreon! Available for Patrons who support Tumble…

8. 

   7 Aug 2026 · 24 min

   Mailbag: How Do Stem Cells Decide What to Become? What's Morse Code?

   In this special summer mailbag episode, Marshall and Lindsay help answer three kid questions: How do stem cells decide what to become? How do chameleons change color? and... What is Morse code? This special episode features answers from Jessica Whited, Michel Milinkovich, and Mick Sullivan, from The Past and the Curious! As well as a roundup of listener reviews, and more! For more information about Tumble, go visit our website at sciencepodcastforkids.com. To send us a question and get it answered on our show, go to https://tumble.science/Question. Also support us on Patreon!…

9. 

   24 Jul 2026 · 18 min

   The Secret to Cheetah's Super Speed [Encore]

   How do cheetahs get their super speed? We talk to a cheetah scientist to find out why a spotted cat is the fastest animal on Earth. Cheetahs are literally built for speed! Anne Hilborn spent months scoping out cheetahs on the hunt in the grasslands of the Serengeti. We’ll discover how cheetahs’ incredible speed is linked to their survival - and what they do when being fast isn’t enough. On our special bonus interview episode - available to our Patreon supporters - Anne shares the amazing story of how being photographed while dropping cheetah poop on herself became both her most embarrassing…

10. 

    10 Jul 2026 · 21 min

    The Plastic Pollution Patrol [ENCORE]

    This is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from last season, and one that is particularly timely for the summer! What if you found out that there was a tiny, nearly invisible type of plastic pollution that’s found nearly everywhere… but you’d never heard of it! That’s what happened to environmental scientist Jace Tunnell several years ago, and he’s been on a great nurdle hunt ever since! This episode on fighting plastic waste comes with a special bonus: the opportunity to enroll in a “Nurdle Patrol” and lead the Nurdle search in your community! Join the Nurdle Patrol Special Agent…

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