Exciting Updates and the 'Science of Smell' Project

Upcoming Milestones and Special Collaborations

The podcast hosts, Mindy and Guy, have announced a series of highly anticipated events for listeners, describing November as a "November to remember." The show is set to feature special collaborations with Circle Round and Terrestrials on Radiolab for Kids. Furthermore, fans can look forward to a special guest appearance by Elmo from Sesame Street on November 24th, promising to make listeners "belly laugh."

Perhaps the most significant milestone is the celebration of the show's 250th episode on December 1st. Mindy teased that this episode will be "music to your ears—literally," as it is confirmed to be a musical. Members of the "World Organization of Wowzers" are invited to an exclusive early listening party on November 22nd, where they can engage with the hosts, chat with other members, and "dance along to our new songs." Access to these events and memberships can be managed through Tinkercast.com.

Exploring the Science of Smell

Transitioning into the educational segment of the podcast, the hosts introduce a new tinkering project inspired by their episode, "Getting Nosy About the Science of Smell: Why Different Sniffs Get Different Whiffs?" The discussion highlights the subjective nature of olfaction. Mindy explains that the human experience of scent is highly individual; for instance, while one person might describe a specific scent as "Parmesan cheese," another might perceive the exact same smell as "vomit." Similarly, a "pungent, sweaty shirt" might be offensive to some, yet smell like "vanilla" to others.

The Tinkering Challenge: Creating a 'Jar of Smells'

To engage young listeners, the podcast proposes a hands-on challenge: creating a "jar of smells" for the entire family. The process is broken down into a structured tinkering workflow:

1. Exploration: Listeners are encouraged to "put your nose to the test" by scouting their homes, including the laundry room, garden, and refrigerator, to identify various scents.
2. Ideation: The challenge involves brainstorming ways to combine these scents. While a "jar of smells" is the primary goal, the hosts suggest creative alternatives like a "sniff sack" using a clean sock, a bowl, or a box.
3. Documentation: Listeners are urged to write down their ideas on how different scents will interact and formulate a plan for collection.

By the end of the episode, the hosts emphasize the importance of the tinkering process, inviting the audience to return for day three to "bring these stinky scented ideas to life." This project-based approach encourages children to investigate the chemistry of their environment, reinforcing the show's mission to "keep on wowing" through curiosity and scientific exploration.