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[Feline Facts and Future Fun: A Wow in the World Special]-[Two Whats?! And A Wow! - The Cat's Meow! (Encore - 9/24/21)]

Wow in the World · B1 · 2021-09-24

Preschool Enlightenment
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📋 Summary

The World of Wowzers: Upcoming Milestones

The podcast episode begins with an exciting announcement from Mindy regarding the future of Wow in the World. November is set to be a "month to remember," featuring collaborations with Circle Round and Terrestrials on Radiolab for Kids, as well as a highly anticipated appearance by Elmo on November 24th. Most notably, the show is approaching its 250th episode on December 1st, which Mindy teases as a "musical." Members of the World Organization of Wowzers are invited to a special early listening party on November 22nd to celebrate this milestone.

Science and Kittens: The Cat-Themed Game Show

Transitioning into the main segment, Mindy introduces a game show titled Two What's and a Wow. The theme for this session is cats. Mindy shares her personal endeavor of creating a "cat album" intended to soothe felines, noting that "musical artists from around the world have been using science to create sounds that they think cats will enjoy." She explains her methodology, which involves imitating "purring sounds and bird chirps" to help calm her cat, Alice.

The "Winning Wow": Debunking Cat Myths

During the game show, contestants were presented with three scientific statements to identify the single "true wow":

  1. A: All cats have unique ridges on their paws similar to human fingerprints.
  2. B: President Calvin Coolidge invented the first cat door.
  3. C: Cats can be allergic to humans.

The correct answer, confirmed by a contestant named Cora, is C. Mindy explains that while it is "super rare," cats can indeed be allergic to humans, though typically this is a reaction to "soaps, detergents, or fragrances" rather than the humans themselves.

Regarding the other options, the show clarifies that while cats do not have unique ridges on their paws, they possess "distinct ridges on their noses" that are unique to each individual. Furthermore, while Calvin Coolidge was a famous animal lover—owning not just four cats but also a raccoon named Rebecca and lion cubs named "Tax Reduction and Budget Bureau"—he did not invent the cat door.

Scientific Challenge: Operation Cat Eye Night Vision

The episode concludes with a challenge focused on feline biology, specifically the "tapetum lucidum," a "light-reflecting surface" that allows cats to see in the dark. Listeners are encouraged to engage in "Operation Cat Eye Night Vision" by designing creative ways for humans to emulate this ability, such as using glow sticks or mirrors to reflect light. The hosts emphasize the importance of safety and encourage families to share their findings at Tinkercast.com, underscoring the show's mission to help children "learn about their world through play."

🎯Key Sentences

1
I have so many questions.
2
I don't even know where to begin.
3
Okay, so here's the deal.
4
I see.
5
You know it.
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📝Key Phrases

1
music to your ears
2
get on with the show
3
on edge
4
I've got just the thing
5
coming right up
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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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