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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 7pm 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!
For everyone's second favorite game show after, asking your grown-ups, are we there yet?
Every five minutes it's Two What's and a What a scientific game show that separates the wows from the what.
And the category or theme for today is turtles.
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 turtles.
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?
Now, 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 get to it.
All right, round one.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, a turtle's shell grows with the turtle?
Or is it B, turtles have only existed for around 10,000 years?
Or is it C, when turtles reach adolescence, they mutate and start practicing martial arts?
When you think you know the correct answer, yell, cowabunga!
Hey Reg, let's get some thinking.
Music is up, let's now reveal the winning wow.
And to do just that, it's nathaniel from north carolina.
Nathaniel from north carolina, tell us what's the winning wow.
Hi, mindy and guy ross.
My wow is that turtles shells grow with the turtle winner.
Winner stuffed shells for dinner.
Thank you, Nathaniel.
Contestants.
If you guessed the answer A that a turtle shell grows with the turtle well, congratulations.
You found the winning wow.
Turtle shells are completely attached and don't come off.
In fact, shells are actually part of a turtle's skeleton.
They contain about 50 bones, including the ribcage, spine, and sternum.
So as a turtle grows it doesn't get a new shell like a hermit crab.
Instead, its shell grows with it, sort of like how our bones grow with us.
Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and crawl very slowly.
Okay, round two.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, box turtles don't make any noises?
Or is it B, Loggerhead turtles got their name because they carry logs on their heads.
Or is it C?
Whether a green sea turtle is male or female is determined by the temperature of the sand that their eggs are laid in.
When you think you know the correct answer, yell, I totally know this one!
Uh, thinking And time is up.
And joining us by phone, it's Henry from Tennessee.
Henry, what's the winning wow?
That's right, Henry.
Wowzers, if you guessed that whether a green sea turtle is male or female is determined by the temperature of the sand that their eggs are laid in congratulations, you found the winning wow.
Green sea turtles make their nests on beaches and typically lay between 80 to 110 eggs at a time.
And the temperature of the sand is what determines whether or not the baby turtles are male or female.
If the sand is warmer, the turtle hatchlings tend to be female.
But if it's colder, the hatchlings tend to be male.
And if the temperature changes or is somewhere in the middle.
The hatchlings tend to be a mix of male and female.
Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop drop and waddle around like a baby turtle.
Okay, round three.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, some turtles glow in the dark?
Or is it B, spotted turtles are actually plaid?
Or is it C, snapping turtle eggs are purple?
When you think you have the correct answer, yell, let's shell-a-brains!
Hey, Reggie, cue the thinking music.
Time is up.
And joining us by phone, it's Oliver from Texas.
Oliver, what's the winning wow?
Hi, Guy, Roz, and Mindy.
My wow is that some turtles glow in the dark.
Winner, winner, glow sticks for dinner.
That's right, Oliver.
Wowzers, if you guessed A, that some turtles glow in the dark, well, congratulations.
You found the winning wow.
Hawksbill turtles can glow underwater at night.
This type of glowing is called biofluorescence.
Unlike animals like fireflies or anglerfish, these turtles don't produce their own light.
Instead, they have special chemicals on their skin and shells that absorb blue light and reflect it back as a green glow.
Scientists aren't totally sure why hawksbill turtles are biofluorescent, but they think it might have to do with camouflaging or blending in with reefs that glow in the same way.
Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and glow in the dark.
And now it's time to take a moment to thank our sponsors.
Today's show is brought to you in part by the Turtle Grand Prix, where the fastest slowpokes in town race at a leisurely pace.
Witness box turtles zoom around the track at three whole miles per hour.
And don't miss special guest Birdie, the world's fastest tortoise, sprinting at a whopping 63 miles per hour.
Look at him go!
The Turtle Grand Prix.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Wow, well, thank you, Turtle Grand Prix.
Now let's take a quick break and hear some other important messages for grown-ups.
Two what's in a while, we'll be right back.
Grown-ups.
This message is for you grown-ups.
It's mindy and guy ross 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 toys designed with your curious wowzer in mind.
You can shop our Wow in the World toys at Tinkercast.com slash toys.
That's Tinkercast.com slash toys.
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 wows!
Oh, Guy Raz, that sound can mean only one thing!
I should have brought my umbrella.
Oh, it's time for today's Bonker Balls bonus round!
If you listen to our Wow in the World episode titled The Great Solar Eclipse Party, you'll know the answer to this one.
And the Bunker Balls bonus question is Solar eclipses occur somewhere on the planet between two and five times a year, but they rarely pass over places where people live.
The last time a total solar eclipse passed over the United States was in 2017.
And the next total solar eclipse to pass over the USA isn't for a very long time.
When is it going to happen?
Is it A, 2044?
Or is it B, 2354?
Or is it C, next week?
It feels like a long time.
If you answered A, you are correct.
The next solar eclipse will be 20 years from now and will only be visible from parts of Montana and North Dakota.
Well, congratulations to all of our winning Wowzers.
Mindy, what's today's prize?
Guy Raz, today's winning Wowzers will all be receiving a lifetime supply of chocolate.
Chocolate turtles, like pecans covered in caramel and chocolate?
No, turtles who have been swimming in chocolate.
Reggie, cue the prize cannon and turn it down to turtle speed.
Uh, Mindy, you may want to shoot those out a little faster.
Okay, Reg, turn it up to rabbit speed.
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 WeWow in the weekend with Dennis.
And again on Friday for a new episode of Two What's and a Wow.
Until then, keep on wowing.
Two 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.
