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[Wow in the World: The Science of Tears and Kangaroo Leaps]-[Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Cry-Thru]

Wow in the World · B1 · 2020-05-22

Preschool Enlightenment
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📋 Summary

Exploring the Science of Tears and Animal Wonders

In this episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz blend humor, scientific curiosity, and interactive segments to engage their young audience, affectionately known as "Wowzers." The episode serves as a lively mix of show updates, a game show, and fascinating biological trivia.

The "Cry-Through" Drive-Through

Setting the stage with a comedic bit, Mindy introduces her "cry-through drive-through." Inspired by scientific studies suggesting that "crying can reduce stress and even release endorphins," Mindy attempts to provide a service that helps people "let it all out." This humorous segment serves as a segue into the episode's main theme: the science of tears.

The Game Show: Two Whats and a Wow

Central to the program is the recurring game show, Two Whats and a Wow. The hosts review the previous episode's challenge regarding kangaroos. A listener named Everett correctly identifies the "wow" fact: "Kangaroos can jump over a school bus."

Mindy and Guy Raz clarify the biology behind this feat, noting that kangaroos can "jump six feet high and cover 25 feet in a single bound." They also debunk common misconceptions, correcting listeners that newborn joeys are actually the "size of a jelly bean" rather than a grapefruit, and that while the western gray kangaroo has a distinct scent, it is not simply "popcorn-like."

Scientific Trivia: The Mystery of Tears

Transitioning to the new round of Two Whats and a Wow, the hosts present three scientific statements about tears to challenge the listeners:

  1. A: Some moths drink the tears of sleeping birds and horses.
  2. B: Elephants are the only other animals that cry because of their emotions.
  3. C: All human tears have the same chemical makeup.

The audience is encouraged to research or guess which of these is the true scientific "wow," with the answer to be revealed in the following episode.

Practical Science: Operation Onions

Building on the tear theme, the hosts launch "Operation Onions." Acknowledging the common experience that "chopping raw onions can make us cry," they encourage listeners to experiment with methods to mitigate this, such as "putting on swim goggles or even holding a slice of bread in your mouth." This segment emphasizes the show's goal of encouraging children to explore scientific inquiry through everyday observation and experimentation.

Show Updates and Community Engagement

Beyond the science, the episode functions as a hub for community news. Mindy highlights upcoming milestones, including the 250th episode—a musical production scheduled for December 1st. Additionally, the show promotes new educational toys, such as "100 experiments, that Wow kit" and "telescope and astronomy kits," designed to help listeners "learn about their world through play."

By combining high-energy hosting with legitimate scientific facts about animal behavior and human physiology, Wow in the World continues to foster a sense of wonder, inviting kids to look at the world—and their own tears—with a more inquisitive scientific perspective.

🎯Key Sentences

1
I'll be right with you.
2
What in the wow is that?
3
next thing I knew
4
close up shop
5
Come again.
Expand All

📝Key Phrases

1
music to your ears
2
let it all out
3
close up shop
4
come again
5
tear-jerking
Expand All

📖 Transcript

Grownups, Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to Wow in the World early and ad-free right now.
Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or Wondery Kids Plus on Apple Podcasts.
Hey, Wowzer fans, Mindy here.
And before we start the show, I gotta let you know that this November, with a special new episode featuring our friends at Circle Round and Terrestrials on Radiolab for Kids,
And don't miss when Elmo from Sesame Street stops by Wow in the World to make us all belly laugh on November 24th.
Oh, but that's not all, Reg.

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