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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!
For everyone's second favorite game show, after selecting all the little images of a car to prove you're not a robot to a robot.
It's Two What's and a Wow!
With your hosts...
The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's, and the category or theme for today is vegetables.
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 vegetables.
But, and this is about.
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 ridiculous physical challenge.
Okay, everyone ready to start the game?
Great, then let's do it.
Round one.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, an onion has more DNA than a human?
Or is it B, asparagus grows on trees?
Or is it C, turnips and artichokes are in the same plant family?
When you think you have the correct answer, yell, I'm spilling the beans!
Psst!
Hey, Reggie!
Give us some thinking music.
And time is up.
Let's now reveal the winning wow.
And to do just that, it's Vesper from Michigan.
Vesper from Michigan, tell us, what's the winning wow?
Hi, my name is Vesper.
My wow in the world is that an onion has more DNA than a human is.
Winner, winner, onion rings for dinner.
Thank you, Vesper.
Contestants.
If you guessed the answer A, that an onion has more DNA than a human well, congratulations.
You found the winning wow.
Organisms or living things have DNA, which is sort of like a blueprint for our bodies.
But not all organisms have the same amount of DNA.
And it turns out that, even though onions are simpler organisms than humans, they have more DNA than we do.
And we're not exactly sure why.
One theory is that onions have a lot of DNA that isn't being used.
We sometimes call this junk DNA.
On the other hand, this seemingly useless DNA might actually have a purpose that we just haven't figured out yet.
Now, if you did not get that answer correct, You must stop drop and eat a raw onion without crying.
Okay, round two.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, there's a type of carrot that produces natural glitter?
Or is it B, potatoes can be used as batteries?
Or is it C, you can get rid of pimples by rubbing cauliflower on your skin?
When you think you have the correct answer, yell, I'm unbeatable!
Uh, thinking music, please.
And time is up.
To reveal the winning answer, it's Alder from New York.
Alder, please reveal the winning wow.
Hi, my name is Alder.
My round rule is that potatoes can be used as batteries.
That's right, Alder.
Wowzers, if you guessed B, that potatoes can be used as batteries, well, congratulations.
You found the winning wow.
As some of you may already know, batteries are containers that store energy that can be converted into electricity.
Potatoes contain electrolytes, which happen to be an important part of a battery.
And in 2010, researchers found that potatoes that had been boiled for eight minutes could make a battery up to 10 times more powerful than one using a raw potato.
In fact, one slice of boiled potato can create enough energy for roughly 20 hours of light.
Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and roll around like a hot potato.
Okay, round three.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, you can make music with vegetables?
Or is it B, most vegetable peels are not edible?
Or is it C, all vegetables are fruits, but not all fruits are vegetables?
When you think you have the correct answer, yell, remain calm, everyone.
I've got this.
Hey, Reggie, can we get some thinking music, please?
Time is up.
And joining us by phone, it's Abram from Pennsylvania.
Abram, please reveal the winning wow.
Dear Mindy and Guy Raz, my name is Abram.
My wow in the world is you can make music with vegetables.
Very eco-safe.
Winner, winner, musical veggies for dinner.
That's right, Abram.
Wowzers, if you guessed A... that you can make music with vegetables, well, congratulations.
You've found the winning wow.
It's not just beans that are musical.
People have found ways to make music with all kinds of vegetables.
It can be as simple as using celery as drumsticks, or a little more advanced like hollowing out a carrot to make a flute.
There are even electric devices that can turn veggies into synthesizers.
The water in vegetables conducts electricity, so when you connect them to the device and a computer, you can tap the vegetable and create an electric sound.
Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and play a sugar pea symphony.
And now it's time to take a moment to thank our sponsors.
Show is brought to you in part by this important public service announcement baby carrots small cute, delicious with ranch dressing, but they are not what they seem.
What big carrot doesn't want you to know is that baby carrots aren't Babies.
That's right.
Baby carrots aren't actually young carrots.
They're adult carrots that have been cut down, peeled, and shaped by machines.
So the next time you're hungry for a vitamin A rich snack, try chomping on a regular carrot like a wise crackin' cartoon rabbit.
Choose carrot sticks, not carrots.
Carrot tricks.
All right.
Thank you for that PSA.
Why don't we take a quick break and hear some other important messages for grown-ups.
To what's in a wow, we'll be right back.
Grown-ups, this message is for you.
Hey, grown-ups.
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 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.
What was that?
Oh, Guy Raz, that sound can mean only one thing.
Our old-timey ride is here?
Nope.
It's time for today's Bonker Balls bonus round.
If you listen to our Wow in the World episode, Algaray to the Rescue, you'll know the answer to this one.
And the Bunker Balls bonus question is In 2023, a sargassum bloom stretched 5500 miles all the way from Africa to the Gulf of Mexico.
How much did it weigh?
Is it A, 10 million tons, about the same as 27 Empire State Buildings?
Or is it B, one million tons, about the same as 40 Statues of Liberty?
Or is it C, one ton, about six reindeer?
If you answered A, you are correct.
This massive bloom weighed more than 10 million tons.
Now that is a lot of seaweed.
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 peas!
Wow, that's a pretty great prize.
Wait, really?
Well, yeah.
I mean, peas are a great source of vitamins and nutrients and protein.
Reggie, why don't you cue the prize cannon?
What in the... Fire away!
Oh, yeah!
Peas for everybody.
Just don't put them up your nose.
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.
Do 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 thepopupscom.
And to keep the wow rolling, after you finish this episode, you can visit us at tinkercastcom.
There you can become a member of the world organization of wowsers to get year-round mailings and weekly activities.
Shop our wow shop, get tickets for upcoming events and 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.