Washington State University

You’ve seen Dr. Universe on Northwest Public Broadcasting, you’ve read the column in the Moscow-Pullman Daily News, and now you can listen to the monthly podcast.

In partnership with Regional Theatre of the Palouse, WSU’s new Ask Dr. Universe podcast features science questions from kids and aims to inspire the next generation in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Each episode runs about 10 minutes and features questions like: Do flying squirrels really fly? Why do some cheeses stink? Why do we have seasons? Why do ants build hills?

Since the podcast launched last fall, more than 35 WSU faculty, graduate students, and alumni have offered their time to help investigate kid questions.

“Kids ask so many great questions and we are excited to explore some of those questions on the podcast,” said WSU science writer Rachel Webber.

Of course, the Ask Dr. Universe podcast wouldn’t be possible without the talented theater kids from Regional Theatre of the Palouse who help read questions from kids around the world, share fun facts about science topics, and highlight simple experiments and activities for listeners to try at home.

Episode 8 questions how toothpaste helps clean our teeth, why people get sunburns, and how Saturn’s rings formed. The episode features Mark Leid, dean of the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Cynthia Cooper, an associate professor at WSU Vancouver, and WSU alumnus David Atkinson, who works at the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab.

Families on the Palouse who listen to an episode of the Ask Dr. Universe podcast this summer can send an email to Dr.Universe@wsu. edu with the subject line “Podcast,” and Dr. Universe will mail them a sticker to say “Thanks!” Stickers are available to the first 50 listeners who email Dr. Universe.

Visit askDrUniverse.wsu.edu/podcasts to find the podcast archive or help your student submit a question for a chance to be featured on a future episode.

Well-wishers wave the WSU flag on Stadium Way during a drive-thru commencement ceremony for the Class of 2021 in early May. (Photo by WSU Photo Services)

WSU President and First Lady Kirk and Noel Schulz prepare to celebrate the Class of 2021 during a drive-thru ceremony at the WSU Pullman campus in early May. (Photo by WSU Photo Services)

Graduates of the Class of 2021 show their school spirit during a drive-thru commencement ceremony in early May at WSU Pullman. (Photo by WSU Photo Services)