Hey there, Smarty Pants.
Trusty Narrator here back with another episode of Smarty Q where I answer your curious clever, sometimes surprising questions about how the world works.
We've got six great ones today, so let's get smarting.
Question one comes from my smarty friend Samuel on Spotify, who asks, Why do dogs love dog toys?
Squeak, squeak!
Dogs love toys for a few different reasons, and it all goes back to their natural instincts.
First, many dog toys are designed to squeak, which sounds like the kinds of small animals dogs love to hunt and chase.
If you've ever seen the way your dog looks at a squirrel...
You know what I mean.
Dog toys also tend to bounce or move in unpredictable ways.
That triggers a dog's natural hunting instincts.
Even though they're playing, their brains think, hey, look, I caught something.
Second, chewing feels good to dogs.
It helps relieve boredom, reduce stress, and keep their jaws strong.
Some toys also smell like food or have treats inside, which makes them extra exciting.
And finally, toys can feel comforting.
For some dogs, a favorite toy is like a security blanket, something familiar that helps them feel safe and happy.
So, whether they're chasing, chewing or cuddling them, dog toys are fun, soothing and instinct-approved.
Okay, question two comes from Ozzy in Los Angeles, who wants to know where and when was school invented?
Ah, yes, school.
Well, as an idea, school is very old, way older than backpacks and lunchboxes.
Some of the earliest schools appeared over 4000 years ago in places like ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt.
Back then, schools were mostly for training scribes, people who learned how to read, write and keep records.
Lessons focused on things like math, writing, and laws.
Later, in ancient Greece, schools expanded to include philosophy science, music and physical training.
Teachers like Plato and Aristotle helped shape the idea that learning should teach you how to think, not just what to memorize.
Over time, schooling spread around the world and slowly became something kids of all backgrounds could attend.
So modern school is really the result of thousands of years of humans saying hey, it's important to pass knowledge along.
All right.
Question three comes from Declan in Wesley Chapel Florida, who asks what is the oldest tree alive?
Well, if you heard our Who Smarted episode on trees, you might remember that the oldest known living tree is nicknamed Methuselah.
Methuselah is a type of pine called a bristlecone pine and is thought to be over 4800 years old, meaning it started growing before the pyramids were even built.
All right, Smarty Pants.
We've answered three great questions so far, but coming up next is one about something you hear every single day, even when you're not listening.
And we'll get to that right after a quick break and a word from our sponsors.
We'll be right back.
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As the trusty narrator, I've taken the smarty pants on countless adventures.
I'll do anything for the fans.
But off mic, I prefer to keep my adventures in the safe space of my own backyard.
However, even a homebody like me can't avoid the unexpected chaos that comes with family life.
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Now back to SmartyQ.
Question four comes from SmartyFanIgnacio, who lives in Bethesda, Maryland.
He wants to know, what is sound made of?
Well, Ignacio, sound is made up of vibrations.
When something vibrates, like a guitar string, a drum or someone's vocal cords, it pushes the air around it.
Those pushes create sound waves, which travel through the air to your ears.
When the waves reach your ears, your brain turns them into sounds like music, voices, or noise.
Of course, sound needs something to travel through, like air, water, or solid objects.
That's why sound can't travel through empty space.
No air, no vibrations, no sound.
Okay, question five comes from Lily on Spotify, who asks, why do we need to learn how to swim?
Great question, Lily.
Learning how to swim is important for a few big reasons.
First, safety.
Water is fun, but it can also be dangerous.
Knowing how to float, move and stay calm in water can help keep you safe around pools lakes, rivers and oceans.
Second, swimming is great exercise.
It works your muscles, helps your heart, and is easy on your joints.
And third, swimming opens up opportunities for fun.
From playing in pools to snorkeling or surfing.
Swimming lets you enjoy the water instead of fearing it.
Learning to swim isn't just about strokes.
It's about confidence, safety, and freedom.
All right, smarty pants, we've got one final question left, and it's all about the future of our planet.
We'll get to that right after this quick break, and a word from our sponsors.
Okay, last question of the day.
This one comes from Francis and Grandma Mary in Toronto Canada, who ask what will the Earth be like in 100 years?
Great question.
The truth is, no one knows exactly what Earth will be like in 100 years, but scientists can make educated guesses.
Some likely changes include new technologies that change how we travel, work and communicate, cleaner energy sources like solar and wind becoming more common.
Cities that are smarter, greener, and more efficient.
The climate may look different too, which is why scientists work so hard to understand Earth now, so people can make choices that protect it for the future.
One important thing to remember, the future of Earth is not already decided.
What it's like in 100 years depends on what people, just like all of you smarty pants, choose to do today.
And that's all for this episode of Smarty Q.
If you've got a question you're curious about, have your adults help you, email it to me at whosmarted.
At whosmartedcom.
And you might hear it answered on a future episode.
Until next time, keep on smarting.
