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[Wow in the World: Caterpillars, Cotton Candy, and Musical Milestones]-[Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Metamorphosis Gym]

Wow in the World · B1 · 2020-04-07

Preschool Enlightenment
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📋 Summary

Exploring the Wonders of Science with 'Wow in the World'

In this episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz blend humor, scientific curiosity, and community engagement to deliver an educational experience for children and families. The episode serves as both a teaser for upcoming milestones and a platform for their signature game show, Two Whats and a Wow.

A November to Remember

The hosts begin with an exciting announcement regarding the show’s future. November is set to be a month of collaboration, featuring guest appearances from Circle Round and Terrestrials on Radiolab for Kids, as well as a special visit from Elmo on November 24th. Most notably, the podcast is approaching its 250th episode on December 1st. Mindy describes this milestone as a "musical," inviting members of the "World Organization of Wowzers" to an exclusive early listening party on November 22nd, emphasizing the community-driven nature of the show.

The Science of Confectionery: Cotton Candy

Transitioning into the game show segment, Two Whats and a Wow, the hosts revisit a previous challenge regarding inventions. The winning listener, Natalie from Ohio, correctly identified that cotton candy was invented by a dentist in 1897. Mindy and Guy Raz explain the "winning wow": dentist William Morrison and candy maker John C. Wharton collaborated to create a machine that "spins heated sugar through a screen," resulting in the delicate, hair-like treat known as cotton candy. The segment also clarifies the "whats" (the incorrect options):

  • While the "dead grasshopper" clock was a distractor, scientists have indeed developed a clock powered by dead flies.
  • Duct tape was not a wound-closing device but was invented during World War II as a waterproof, tearable utility tape.

Caterpillar Curiosities

Following a brief break—during which Mindy hilariously attempts to train caterpillars with "tiny treadmills and miniature dumbbells" to prepare them for the energy-intensive process of "metamorphosis"—the hosts introduce a new round of the game. This time, the category is caterpillars, and listeners are challenged to identify the true scientific fact among three choices:

  1. Masked birch caterpillars rub their booties on leaves to make music when alone.
  2. Butterflies forget all their experiences as caterpillars.
  3. Caterpillars have more muscles than humans.

Operation Crayon Mountain

To foster hands-on learning, the episode concludes with "Operation Crayon Mountain." This challenge encourages listeners to simulate the stages of metamorphosis using a crayon. By cocooning the crayon in paper or leaves and crafting wings from materials like coffee filters or pipe cleaners, children are invited to "use their creativity and research skills" to visualize the biological transformation from larva to adult insect.

Through these interactive segments and upcoming celebratory events, Wow in the World continues to make complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging, encouraging young "Wowzers" to remain curious about the world around them.

🎯Key Sentences

1
Let's pick up the pace now.
2
Show me what you got.
3
I'm not sure that's how they train.
4
Mindy, will you please refresh our contestants on how the game works?
5
You know it.
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📝Key Phrases

1
music to your ears
2
get on with the show
3
pick up the pace
4
show me what you got
5
not too far off
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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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