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[Exploring the Science of Fossils and Mathematical Wonders: A Wow in the World Deep Dive]-[Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Do The Math!]

Wow in the World · B1 · 2020-04-22

Preschool Enlightenment
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📋 Summary

Unveiling the Secrets of Fossilized History

In this episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz engage listeners in their signature scientific game show, "Two Whats and a Wow." The episode kicks off with a fascinating revelation about paleontology: the surprising utility of fossilized dinosaur poop, scientifically known as coprolites.

As Mindy explains, these ancient droppings undergo a transformation over millions of years. Much like fossilized bones, the organic molecules decay and are replaced by minerals, effectively turning the waste into rock or even crystals. This process creates unique, durable materials often used in jewelry making. The hosts highlight that while many listeners might guess that fossils are strictly bones, the reality is far more diverse. The episode clarifies common misconceptions regarding fossils, noting that while scientists have indeed discovered fossils in Antarctica—suggesting a warm climate 90 million years ago—the most expensive fossil ever sold was actually "Sue the Tyrannosaurus Rex," which fetched over 8.3 million U.S. dollars in the 1990s.

The Intersection of Nature and Mathematics

Transitioning from paleontology to mathematics, Mindy introduces a whimsical "math bee" featuring bees, which scientific research suggests are capable of solving simple addition and subtraction problems. This sets the stage for the second round of "Two Whats and a Wow," where listeners are challenged to identify the true scientific fact among three intriguing statements:

  1. A: Researchers have shown that pigeons are just as good at math as monkeys are.
  2. B: When cats and college students took a 30-question math test, cats only got two more incorrect answers than the humans.
  3. C: Worms count vibrations to see how close they are to other worms.

This segment underscores the show's mission to blend curiosity with education, encouraging "Wowzers" to think critically about the cognitive abilities of the animal kingdom. By presenting these comparative scenarios, the hosts invite young listeners to explore how mathematical concepts—or at least the ability to process numerical information—are not exclusive to humans.

Community Engagement and Future Wonders

Beyond the scientific trivia, the episode emphasizes the importance of community and active learning. Mindy and Guy Raz announce their upcoming 250th episode, which will be a "musical," and invite members of the "World Organization of Wowzers" to an exclusive early-access listening party.

To keep the spirit of inquiry alive, the hosts issue a challenge called "Operation Counting A to Z." They task listeners with counting kitchen items that correspond to every letter of the alphabet, encouraging them to practice their counting skills in a real-world environment. This initiative, supported by the ability for families to share their findings at Tinkercast.com/share, highlights the show's commitment to interactive, play-based learning. Through these various segments, Wow in the World continues to foster a sense of "wow and wonder," proving that science is not just something to be read in textbooks, but something to be discovered in our daily lives.

🎯Key Sentences

1
That's it.
2
But for now, let's get on with the show.
3
You're just in time for my math bee.
4
Hold that thought.
5
Please hold your applause.
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📝Key Phrases

1
music to your ears
2
hold that thought
3
take five
4
where we left off
5
conversation starter
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📖 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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