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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.
On December 1st, we are sharing our 250th episode of Wow in the World with all of you.
We think this one is going to be music to your ears.
Literally.
Did I mention it's a musical?
And if you're a member of the World Organization of Wowzers...
Oh boy, do I have a surprise for you.
You can listen to our 250th episode early with me and other members from around the world on Saturday, November 22nd, at 7 pm.
Eastern.
That's right, we are throwing another listening party.
Join us as we dance along to our new songs.
React to the episode with other members in the chat and more.
Grownups.
If you want your wowzer to join this members-only listening party, you can sign up to become a member today at Tinkercastcom.
Slash wow.
Already a member?
Well, you can find the link and password to join the event when you sign in at Tinkercastcom.
Slash wow.
That's it.
It's going to be a November to remember.
But for now, let's get on with the show.
Woo!
Now for everyone's second favorite game show, after eating too much chips and salsa.
Before the meal arrives, it's Two What's and a Wow.
With your hosts, Mindy and Guy.
Two what's in a wow.
Two what's in a wow.
The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's.
And the category for today is animal sizes.
Mindy, why don't you refresh our contestants on how the game works?
You know it.
Wowzers in each of our three rounds.
Today, Guy Raz and I will present you with three scientific statements about animal sizes.
But, and this is a big but.
Only one of those statements will be a true wow.
The other two, just a couple of made-up what's.
In each round, if you guess correctly, congratulations, you win a point.
But if you guess incorrectly, you must stop, drop, and do a redonkulous physical challenge.
Okay, everyone ready to start the game?
Great, then let's do it.
Okay, round one.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, a newborn horse is taller than a newborn giraffe?
Or is it B, T-Rex teeth are the size of bananas?
Or is it C, adult elephants and blue whales are roughly the same weight?
When you think you have the answer, try to say your name with your tongue sticking out.
Hey Reggie, cue the thinking music.
And time is up.
Let's now reveal the winning wow.
And to do just that, joining us by phone, it's Ethan from Florida.
Ethan from Florida, tell us, what's the winning wow?
Winner, winner, banana teeth for dinner.
Thank you, Ethan.
Contestants.
If you guessed the answer B, that T-Rex teeth are the size of bananas congratulations, you found the winning, wow.
Talk about an appealing smile.
The T-Rex's pearly whites averaged out to roughly the same size as a banana, or about eight inches long.
How does that size up compared to their tiny arms?
Scientists believe their arms were about the size of four and a half bananas, and they used those tiny arms to take calls on their banana phones, which were roughly the same size as bananas today.
Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop drop and talk like a T-Rex for the rest of the day.
All right, time for round two.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A?
Despite the size difference, Humans and microscopic worms have roughly the same amount of DNA.
Or is it B. Your eyes get slightly bigger every year.
Or is it C. Relative to their body size, pigeons are the smallest brained birds.
When you think you have the correct answer, give yourself a high five in the mirror.
Hey, Reggie, can we get some thinking music, please?
And to reveal the winning wow, it's William from Virginia.
William, tell us, what's the winning wow?
Hi, Mindy and Guy Ross.
This is William.
My wow is that a human has roughly the same number of genes.
That's a microscopic worm.
Winner, winner, microscopic gummy worms for dinner.
Thank you, William.
Contestants.
If you guessed the answer A, that humans and microscopic worms have roughly the same amount of DNA well, congratulations.
You found the winning wow.
The microscopic C elegans worm contains around 20000 genes, which is just about how many genes scientists think humans have too.
However, when it comes to blue jeans, humans tend to have a few more pairs than microscopic worms.
What?
Not a ton of stores carry microscopic sizes.
Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and do the worm.
And now for the final round, round three.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A?
There's a type of caterpillar that grows a hundred times its size by tricking ants into feeding it.
Or is it B?
Scientists believe woolly mammoths were actually smaller than our modern-day elephants.
Or is it C?
You could fit approximately 30 great white sharks inside a school bus, although they wouldn't be too happy about it.
And now To reveal the winning wow, please welcome by phone Asher from New York.
Asher, tell us, what's the winning wow?
Hi, my name is Asher and my wow is that there is a type of carnivorous caterpillar that tricks its ant into thinking it's a queen ant.
And the caterpillar eats all of the larvae and becomes 100 times its size.
Winner, winner, ant larva for dinner.
Thank you, Asher.
Contestants.
If you guessed the answer A, that there's a type of caterpillar that grows 100 times its size by tricking ants into feeding it.
Well, congratulations.
You found the winning wow.
That's right, Guy Raz.
The blue butterfly caterpillar pretends to be a queen ant to get free food.
Kind of like how Dennis always says it's his birthday at restaurants so he can get a free cake.
I don't know, Mindy.
I think he does that because he likes to be celebrated.
Anywho, the ants get tricked by the caterpillar because it's able to mimic the queen ant's sound so well.
So they think the caterpillar is really the queen ant.
So the ants bring the caterpillar back to their nest and then it feasts on the ant larva.
And after the feast...
The caterpillar can grow 100 times bigger than the ants they stole from.
Talk about antics, Skyroz.
Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and sing happy birthday to Dennis?
Looks like Dennis made some edits to this script again.
Whoopsie.
Uh, yeah.
Let's thank our sponsors.
Today's show is brought to you in part by God.
Only Guy Raz can save you 15% or more on your Motor Pickle insurance.
Wait, I don't work in insurance.
Not with that attitude, you don't, Guy Raz.
All right, let's take a quick break and hear some other important messages for grown-ups.
To What's in the Law, we'll be right back.
Grown-ups, this message is for you.
Grownups, it's Mindy and Guy Raz here from Wow in the World.
Mindy and I have some brand new Wow in the World toys out in the world just in time for the holidays.
Made for the kids who love science and for the ones who don't. yet.
From our 100 experiments, that wow kit to the telescope and astronomy kit.
Our wow in the world toys help your wowzer learn about their world through play.
Plus, you can hear exclusive audio content from me and Guy Raz to help your wowzer discover even more wows.
Grownups give the gift of wow and wonder this holiday season with our latest wow in the world.
That's it.
Now back to the show.
Welcome back to Two What's and a Wow.
Two What's and a Wow.
The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what?
What was that?
Oh, Guy Raz, that sound can mean only one thing.
It's time for a barbecue?
No, it's time for today's Bunker Balls bonus round.
And today's question comes from the mummified bees episode of Wow in the World.
The question is...
Where did the researchers originally find the mummified colony of bees?
Was it A, Egypt?
Or was it B, Portugal?
Or was it C, Dennis' basement?
Well, it's time to reveal the correct answer.
Reggie, tell us, what's the winning wow?
Wowzers, if you guessed B...
Congratulations, you're correct.
The bees were originally discovered by a group of researchers at the Nacho Rejo Unesco Global Geopark on the Portuguese coastline.
Congratulations to all of our winning wowsers on today's show.
Mindy, what's today's prize?
Well, Guy Raz, today's winning wowsers will all be receiving their very own voice catcher.
Huh?
Voice catcher check, one, two, three.
Okay, Reg, cue the prize cannon.
Okay.
Wait!
No!
Uh-oh.
Well, looks like we've got some negative feedback on that prize, Mindy.
Sorry!
Well, that's about all the time we have for today, but if you want to keep the fun going, then become a member of the World Organization of Wowzers and unlock hundreds of activities.
And for any teachers in our listening audience.
Consider joining Tinker Class, Our free brand new learning platform that helps get kids wild about science.
Just visit Tinkercast.com slash membership.
That's Tinkercast.com slash membership.
And be sure to come back on Monday for a brand new episode of Wow in the World.
This weekend for some wee wow in the weekend with Dennis.
And again on Friday for a new episode of Two What's and a Wow.
Until then, keep on.
What's in a Wow is executive produced by Meredith Halpern-Ranzer, Mindy Thomas, and me, Guy Raz.
Our writers are Ruth Morrison and Anna Zagorski, with collaboration from our head writer, Kenny Curtis.
Sound production and design is by Marion Lozano with help from Jed Anderson and Tyler Thull.
Special thanks to Rebecca Caban, Dr Natasha Crandall, Lizzie Freilich, Kristen Yang Thuy Mac, Erica Medina, Henry Moskal, Jodi Nussbaum, Ali Paksima, Linda Rothenberg, Steph Sosa, Joanna Weber, Anna Zagorski and all of the other Tinkerers at Tinkercast HQ.
Our theme song was written and composed by The Pop-Ups.
For more on their three-time Grammy-nominated all-ages music, find them at thepopups.com.
And to keep the WOW rolling after you finish this episode, you can visit us at Tinkercast.com.
There you can become a member of the World Organization of Wowzers to get year-round mailings and weekly activities.
Shop our WOW shop, get tickets for upcoming events, Find our best-selling books and learn all about the other amazing podcasts from Tinkercast.
Grown-ups, you can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at WowInTheWorld.
And our email address is hello at Tinkercast.com.
Finally, if you're a kid with a big wow to share, it could be used on an upcoming episode of Two.
What's in a Wow?
Call us at 1-888-7WOW-WOW.
Thanks again for listening and playing along.
Meet us back here next Friday or every Monday for Wow in the World.
Wow in the World was made by Tinkercast and sent to you by Wondery.