Science champions podcasts

How can the scientific community better promote equality, diversity, and accessibility? Our guest examines the forces that drive how scientific research gets published, and how these structures could better promote access and ultimately speed up scientific progress.

Featured guests:
Professor Stephen Curry, Department of Life Sciences at Imperial College London, Assistant Provost for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

To think big in science, sometimes you have to think small. Nanochemistry is a scientific field that studies matter on a microscopic scale to create materials with world-changing potential. Dr. Suze Kundu explores the possibilities on this episode.

Featured guests:
Dr. Suze Kundu, Materials Chemist and Science Presenter

Electrical engineering takes science out of the lab and into your pocket — and your car, your home, the nearest comic book convention, and beyond. Our guest explores how engineering can improve everything from cosplay to health and fitness.

Featured guests:
Chris Gammell, Principal, Analog Life, LLC, Co-Host, The Amp Hour Radio Show

What happens when you take science out of the lab and into your home? The scientific method gets empirically delicious in our chat with Matt Hartings, chemistry professor and author of “Chemistry in Your Kitchen.”

Featured guests:
Matt Hartings, Associate Professor of Chemistry at American University

If we can predict the future, can we change it? Disaster researchers like Mika McKinnon can. Her research helps predict natural disasters and minimize potential damage. Join us for a fascinating discussion about science, science fiction, and the next frontier of human advancement.

Featured guests:
Mika McKinnon, Geophysicist, Disaster Researcher, Sci-Fi Science Consultant, Public Speaker

Do you wish you knew more about science? You're not alone. The good news is it's easier now than ever before to learn. Our guest shares how adults can continue learning—and have fun doing it, too.

Featured guests: 
Dr. Michelle Wong, Science Educator and Content Creator at Lab Muffin Beauty Science

We often ask adults how we can make science fascinating for kids. Why not ask a kid who is already a scientist and inventor? We talk to award-winning youth scientist Gitanjali Rao about what inspires her.

Featured guests:
Gitanjali Rao, Student & Winner of the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge

What better way to explore science and technology than by building your own wondrous creations? We explore the hands-on science of maker culture with our guest, Dr. Lucy Rogers.

Featured guests:
Dr. Lucy Rogers, Founder, Guild of Makers and Makertorium

Most people have what we’d call a “clickbait headline” level of scientific knowledge. How can we inspire the desire to learn more? And will genetic engineering lead to genius babies and velociraptors? Joanne Manaster answers the hard questions.

Featured guest:
Joanne Manaster, Faculty Lecturer/Online Course Developer, U of I Urbana-Champaign

Gen Z kids are going to college, bringing with them a unique set of predispositions, advantages and challenges. Physics professor Jeff Terry shares how science education is changing to better engage the next generation of scientists.

Featured guest:
Dr. Jeff Terry, Professor, Illinois Institute of Technology

What's the point in thinking like a scientist, even if you're not one? How does scientific thinking advance human beings as a species? We ask expert scientists and educators in this bonus highlights episode.

Featured guests:
Rita J. King, Co-Director, Science House

Erica Redline, Senior Research & Development Scientist & Engineer, Organic Materials at Sandia National Laboratories

Jim Kakalios,Taylor Distinguished Professor, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota

Abigail "Astronaut Abby" Harrison, Founder & President, The Mars Generation

Children are naturally fascinated by science. How can we make it just as thrilling for adults, too? Some extremely accomplished science communicators share their thoughts in this bonus episode.

Featured guests:
Derek Lowe, Director in Chemical Biology & Therapeutic, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research

Laurie Fink - Vice President of Science, Science Museum of Minnesota

Pat Hamilton - Director of Global Change Initiatives, Science Museum of Minnesota

Adam Frank, Astrophysicist, University of Rochester

Jennifer Rohn, Group Leader/Principle Research Associate at University College London

Dru Crawley, Bentley Fellow / Director, Building Industry Development

What does the future hold for scientific advancement? What's most exciting? What challenges still remain? We round up expert opinions in this special highlights episode.

Featured guests:
Roger Highfield, Director of External Affairs, Science Museum Group

Jeremy Fryer-Biggs, Co-Founder & CTO, Evaptainers

Carolina Ödman-Govender, Chief Scientist at thumbzup

David Wees, Mathematics Formative Assessment Specialist, New Visions for Public Schools

How can we inspire the next generation to learn about -- even love -- science? Expert educators give their opinions on this special bonus episode. 

Featured guests:
Vanessa Hill, Producer & Host, BrainCraft

Joanne Manaster, Lecturer & Online Course Developer, University of Illinois

Dianna Cowern, Creator, Physics Girl

Jeff Terry

Will humans walk on Mars in our lifetime? What is the value of human space exploration? Our guest explores how space travel challenges and inspires us.

Featured guest:
Abigail "Astronaut Abby" Harrison, Founder & President, The Mars Generation

What can Spider-Man and Superman teach us about science? Our guest, The Physics of Superheroes author Jim Kakalios, explores how pop culture can be educational as well as entertaining.

Featured guest:
Jim Kakalios,Taylor Distinguished Professor, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota

What does a scientist do all day? What skills do you need to pursue a career in science? Our expert discusses what she does - and why she loves it.

Featured guest:
Erica Redline, Senior Research & Development Scientist & Engineer, Organic Materials at Sandia National Laboratories

What's the point in thinking like a scientist, even if you're not one? We explore the value of scientific thinking in the corporate world with guest Rita J. King.

Featured guest:
Rita J. King, Co-Director, Science House

Easy access to affordable, sustainable energy would revolutionize human civilization. Scientists may be closer than ever to cracking the code. Our expert guest Dru Crawley explains how far we've come, what's next, and how you can help.

Featured guest:
Dru Crawley, Bentley Fellow / Director, Building Industry Development

Can we put a price on scientific innovation? And who should be picking up the tab? We explore how science gets funded with our expert guest, Jenny Rohn of Science Is Vital.

Featured guest:
Jennifer Rohn, Group Leader/Principle Research Associate at University College London

Skepticism is a healthy part of the scientific method. But skepticism about science itself is counter-productive. How can scientists make sure they're earning the trust of the public?

Featured guests:
Adam Frank, Astrophysicist, University of Rochester

Derek Lowe, Director in Chemical Biology & Therapeutic, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research

Science is fascinating and fun when you're doing hands-on activities at a science museum. How can we transfer some of that joy to the classroom and the lab? Our guests explore how to make science more appealing to kids and adults.

Featured guests:
Laurie Fink - Vice President of Science, Science Museum of Minnesota

Pat Hamilton - Director of Global Change Initiatives, Science Museum of Minnesota

How can scientists better leverage the media to speak to the public? Our guests explore how scientists can be more effective communicators in traditional and new media.

Featured guests:
Deborah Berebichez, Ph.D., Chief Data Scientist, Metis

Corey Powell, Science Editor, Aeon Magazine

Do people feel differently about science in Japan than they do in Zimbabwe? Science should be an international effort for the betterment of all humankind. But there's no denying that cultural history and level of technological development change how people view scientific advancement. Our guest explores the unique challenges we face in trying to make science a genuinely global endeavor.

Featured guest:
Carolina Ödman-Govender, Chief Scientist at thumbzup

The fruits of scientific advancement are all around us, from smartphones to electric toothbrushes to Roombas. But nearly half of the people we surveyed said science doesn't make much of a difference in their everyday lives. Our guests discuss how scientists and educators can be better ambassadors to the public at large.

Featured guests:
David Wees, Mathematics Formative Assessment Specialist, New Visions for Public Schools

Alok Jha, Wellcome Trust Fellow, Science Journalist, Broadcaster and Public Speaker

Flying cars, teleportation, colonizing other planets: Science fiction has a unique idea of what the future of scientific advancement will look like. But who wants to run out of gas at 8,000 feet? Our guests discuss what the future of science will actually look like, and where we should be focusing our attention to improve humanity and protect the planet.

Featured guests:
Jeremy Fryer-Biggs, Co-Founder & CTO, Evaptainers

Roger Highfield, Director of External Affairs, Science Museum Group

Over a third of adults say if science didn’t exist, their lives would be about the same. Clearly, science has a public relations problem. How can we demonstrate the value of science to the public at large? Our guest shares how she helps shine a spotlight on just how much science affects our daily lives.

Featured guest:
Dianna Cowern, Creator, Physics Girl

Science has advanced rapidly in the past decade. Has science education kept up with the changes? How can educators reach children who have the world’s knowledge — and infinite distractions — at their fingertips? Our guest brings decades of experience in science education to explore these questions.

Featured guest:
Jeff Terry

What inspires someone to choose a career in science? As we seek to ignite the passion of a new generation of scientists, it’s a crucial question to answer. Our guests discuss what started them on the path to a scientific career, and share their ideas on how we can shape the scientists of the future.

Featured guests:
Vanessa Hill, Producer & Host, BrainCraft

Joanne Manaster, Lecturer & Online Course Developer, University of Illinois

Jayshree Seth is the Chief Science Advocate at 3M. In this introductory episode, Jayshree talks about her personal journey to become a scientist and explores data from the 3M State of Science Index, a survey of more than 14,000 people’s attitudes toward, and perceptions of, science.

Featured guest:
Jayshree Seth, 3M Chief Science Advocate