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Washington State University

Ask Dr. Universe

Join Dr. Universe and her friends at Washington State University as they investigate science questions from kids around the world. Know a kid with a curious science question? Help them submit it at askDrUniverse.wsu.edu for a chance to be featured on a future episode. 

Parent info: Ask Dr. Universe is recommended for ages 6-10. It's an Episodic show that can be listened to in any order. Made in the USA, it's about Science and Facts for kids. Launched in 2020, it has 6 seasons.

There are 66 episodes

Episodes
The most recent appears first.

  • Your Paw-some Question | What determines the size and shape of someone's belly button?
    Your Paw-some Question | What determines the size and shape of someone's belly button?

    3 minSeason 6Episode 1126 June 2026

    Cosmo and I investigated belly buttons—thanks to WSU nursing professor Cindy Brigham-Althoff.

  • BONUS EPISODE! Student-led Podcasts | Explore a Cell with Vancouver iTech Preparatory
    BONUS EPISODE! Student-led Podcasts | Explore a Cell with Vancouver iTech Preparatory

    27 minSeason 6Episode 103 June 2026

    Join me and some new friends as we shrink down and travel through a cell, checking out organelles along the way. It's a cell biology adventure!

  • How Do You Science | Meet an Apple Breeder
    How Do You Science | Meet an Apple Breeder

    21 minSeason 6Episode 928 May 2026

    WSU apple breeder, Kate Evans, told me all about out how apples work and what it's like to be a scientist who makes new apples—like the Cosmic Crisp®.

  • Your Paw-some Question | How do cats climb?
    Your Paw-some Question | How do cats climb?

    3 minSeason 6Episode 815 May 2026

    Cosmo and I learned all about cat anatomy and how feline friends like us climb so well. Thanks to WSU vet med's Steve Lampa for the expert info.

  • Your Paw-some Question | Why do we have fingerprints?
    Your Paw-some Question | Why do we have fingerprints?

    4 minSeason 6Episode 730 April 2026

    Today Cosmo and I learned all about fingerprints—and how they give primates dexterity and grip.

  • Your Paw-some Question | Why are giraffes' tongues purple?
    Your Paw-some Question | Why are giraffes' tongues purple?

    4 minSeason 6Episode 617 April 2026

    Cosmo and I found out why our tallest animal friends have long, dark tongues—and what melanin does for humans, too. Thanks to Cynthia Cooper, who studies animal pigments at WSU Vancouver.

  • Your Paw-some Question | What is the life cycle of a ladybug?
    Your Paw-some Question | What is the life cycle of a ladybug?

    5 minSeason 6Episode 527 March 2026

    Cosmo and I learn about all kinds of life cycles: holometabolous (big change), hemimetabolous (small change), and ametabolous (no change).

  • How Do You Science | Meet a Planetary Scientist (Will we ever live on Mars? Are aliens real?)
    How Do You Science | Meet a Planetary Scientist (Will we ever live on Mars? Are aliens real?)

    18 minSeason 6Episode 411 March 2026

    Today I'm talking with Julie Ménard, a planetary scientist at Washington State University. She told me about the terrestrial planets in our solar system, how we're about to visit Mars—and could even set up a station there someday, and the possibility of life i…

  • Your Paw-some Question | Will vaccines always hurt?
    Your Paw-some Question | Will vaccines always hurt?

    4 minSeason 6Episode 323 February 2026

    Cosmo and I learn about shots—and new technology our friend WSU's Roland Chen is working on to make painless vaccines.

  • Your Paw-some Question | Why do dogs have pads on their feet?
    Your Paw-some Question | Why do dogs have pads on their feet?

    4 minSeason 6Episode 26 February 2026

    Today Cosmo and I learned all about dog paws from our friend, WSU veterinarian Dr. Natasha Hottmann.

  • Your Paw-some Question | How do cell phones work?
    Your Paw-some Question | How do cell phones work?

    4 minSeason 6Episode 120 January 2026

    Cosmo and I learn how cell phones send texts, images and calls from phone to phone—thanks to our friend, electrical engineer Ben Belzer.

  • How Do You Science | Meet an Extension Vegetable Specialist
    How Do You Science | Meet an Extension Vegetable Specialist

    14 minSeason 5Episode 1528 November 2025

    Love veggies? Me, too. And so does my friend Tim Waters, regional vegetable specialist at WSU Extension.

  • Your Paw-some Question | Do turtles live inside their shells?
    Your Paw-some Question | Do turtles live inside their shells?

    5 minSeason 5Episode 1413 November 2025

    Today Cosmo and I learn about turtles and how they grow their amazing shells —all thanks to my friend, Ryan Wagner, wildlife biologist at Washington State University (and former turtle pedicurist).

  • Your Paw-some Question | What happens if you get eaten by a shark?
    Your Paw-some Question | What happens if you get eaten by a shark?

    5 minSeason 5Episode 1320 October 2025

    Dooooo-doo, Dooooo-doo. 🦈 Today Cosmo and I learn about sharks and their rad digestive systems—all thanks to my friend, Dr. Nora Hickey, fish veterinarian at Washington State University.

  • How Do You Science | Meet a Wildlife Biologist
    How Do You Science | Meet a Wildlife Biologist

    21 minSeason 5Episode 126 October 2025

    In this episode, I learn all about wildlife biology from my friend, Ryan Wagner. He told me about clipping turtle toenails and bathing froglets—all for science. And he recounted his recent adventure backpacking frogs into a national forest to return them to th…

  • Your Paw-some Question | Why do we have germs on our hands?
    Your Paw-some Question | Why do we have germs on our hands?

    4 minSeason 5Episode 1118 September 2025

    Cosmo and I learn about microbes, thanks to Eric Lofrgren, an infectious disease expert at WSU.

  • How Do You Science | Meet a Pharmacist
    How Do You Science | Meet a Pharmacist

    16 minSeason 5Episode 1021 August 2025

    In this episode, I learn all about what it means to be a pharmacist with my friend, Damianne Brand-Eubanks. She's a pharmacist and professor at Washington State University.

  • Your Paw-some Question | How are wisdom teeth removed?
    Your Paw-some Question | How are wisdom teeth removed?

    5 minSeason 5Episode 931 July 2025

    What happens if you need your third molars removed? Cosmo and I find out, after talking to our friend David Carsten. He's a dentist anesthesiologist who studied at Washington State University and now teaches at Oregon Health and Science University.

  • Your Paw-some Question | Should I be scared of bugs?
    Your Paw-some Question | Should I be scared of bugs?

    6 minSeason 5Episode 816 June 2025

    Can Cosmo and I help a cool kid like you face their fear of bugs? Join us—and our friend Paul Strand, psychologist at Washington State University—as we dig into why things freak us out and how to beat-le those fears.

  • How Do You Science | Meet a Polar Scientist
    How Do You Science | Meet a Polar Scientist

    23 minSeason 5Episode 719 May 2025

    Today I'm talking with Von Walden, an atmospheric scientist at Washington State University.

  • Your Paw-some Question | Why do we have two intestines?
    Your Paw-some Question | Why do we have two intestines?

    5 minSeason 5Episode 61 May 2025

    What up with the small intestine and the large intestine? Join Cosmo and me—and our friend Franck Carbonero, microbiologist at Washington State University—to break down how we break down food.

  • Your Paw-some Question | Why is snot green?
    Your Paw-some Question | Why is snot green?

    5 minSeason 5Episode 52 April 2025

    Purr-haps you'd like a new way to get your claws on science questions sent in by kids like you. That's litter-ally my favorite thing.

  • Your Paw-some Question | What makes snow sparkle?
    Your Paw-some Question | What makes snow sparkle?

    5 minSeason 5Episode 417 March 2025

    Purr-haps you'd like a new way to get your claws on science questions sent in by kids like you. That's litter-ally my favorite thing.

  • How Do You Science | Meet a Biological Anthropologist (who studies skeletons)
    How Do You Science | Meet a Biological Anthropologist (who studies skeletons)

    22 minSeason 5Episode 33 March 2025

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world. Today I'm talking to WSU biological anthropologist Thomas Siek.

  • Your Paw-some Question | Why do bees make honey?
    Your Paw-some Question | Why do bees make honey?

    6 minSeason 5Episode 23 February 2025

    Purr-haps you'd like a new way to get your claws on science questions sent in by kids like you. That's litter-ally my favorite thing.

  • How Do You Science | Meet an Environmental Archeologist
    How Do You Science | Meet an Environmental Archeologist

    17 minSeason 5Episode 16 January 2025

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world. Today I'm talking to WSU environmental archeologist John Blong.

  • Student-Led Podcasts | Exploring the Past Universe with PPCS
    Student-Led Podcasts | Exploring the Past Universe with PPCS

    10 minSeason 4Episode 91 November 2024

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world.

  • Student-Led Podcasts | Exploring Plate Tectonics with PPCS
    Student-Led Podcasts | Exploring Plate Tectonics with PPCS

    13 minSeason 4Episode 810 October 2024

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world.

  • How Do You Science | Meet an Astronomer
    How Do You Science | Meet an Astronomer

    25 min3 September 2024

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world. Today I'm talking to WSU astronomer Michael Allen.

  • How Do You Science | Meet a Veterinarian...who does acupuncture!
    How Do You Science | Meet a Veterinarian...who does acupuncture!

    18 minSeason 4Episode 61 August 2024

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world. Today I'm talking to WSU veterinarian Jessica Bunch.

  • How Do You Science | Meet a Nurse Practitioner
    How Do You Science | Meet a Nurse Practitioner

    14 minSeason 4Episode 53 June 2024

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world. Today we're talking to nurse practitioner Bevan Briggs.

  • How Do You Science | Meet a Marine Biologist
    How Do You Science | Meet a Marine Biologist

    16 minSeason 4Episode 42 May 2024

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world.

  • How Do You Science | Meet an Ecologist (for the birds!)
    How Do You Science | Meet an Ecologist (for the birds!)

    14 minSeason 4Episode 31 April 2024

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world.

  • How Do You Science | Meet a Science Librarian
    How Do You Science | Meet a Science Librarian

    12 minSeason 4Episode 21 March 2024

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world.

  • How Do You Science | Meet an Educational Psychologist
    How Do You Science | Meet an Educational Psychologist

    15 minSeason 4Episode 12 February 2024

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world.

  • How Do You Science | Meet a Baby Scientist/Psychologist
    How Do You Science | Meet a Baby Scientist/Psychologist

    13 minSeason 3Episode 1330 November 2023

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world.

  • How Do You Science | Meet an Insect Scientist
    How Do You Science | Meet an Insect Scientist

    19 minSeason 3Episode 1224 October 2023

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world.

  • Making a Difference | Meet a Youth Climate Organizer
    Making a Difference | Meet a Youth Climate Organizer

    13 minSeason 3Episode 1127 September 2023

    Hey, friends. I’m Dr. Universe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world.

  • Making a Difference | Western Monarch Mystery Challenge
    Making a Difference | Western Monarch Mystery Challenge

    17 minSeason 3Episode 101 September 2023

    Welcome back, friends. I’m Dr. Universe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world.

  • How Do You Science | Meet a Science Writer
    How Do You Science | Meet a Science Writer

    12 minSeason 3Episode 920 July 2023

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world.

  • How Do You Science | Meet a Biologist—Snakes & Bears
    How Do You Science | Meet a Biologist—Snakes & Bears

    18 minSeason 3Episode 827 June 2023

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world.

  • Student-Led Podcasts | Explore the Solar System with PPCS
    Student-Led Podcasts | Explore the Solar System with PPCS

    20 minSeason 3Episode 722 May 2023

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world.

  • How Do You Science | Meet a Fish Veterinarian
    How Do You Science | Meet a Fish Veterinarian

    13 minSeason 3Episode 627 April 2023

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world.

  • Explore Early Earth | Part 2: Meet a Geologist
    Explore Early Earth | Part 2: Meet a Geologist

    12 minSeason 3Episode 512 April 2023

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world.

  • Explore Early Earth | Part 1: Meet a NASA Scientist
    Explore Early Earth | Part 1: Meet a NASA Scientist

    11 minSeason 3Episode 45 April 2023

    What was early Earth like? How did life start on Earth? And what’s up with plate tectonics?

  • How Do You Science | Meet a Student Scientist
    How Do You Science | Meet a Student Scientist

    8 minSeason 3Episode 31 March 2023

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world.

  • How Do You Science | Meet a Neurobiologist
    How Do You Science | Meet a Neurobiologist

    13 minSeason 3Episode 21 February 2023

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world.

  • Do Aliens Exist? | Meet an Astrobiologist
    Do Aliens Exist? | Meet an Astrobiologist

    10 minSeason 3Episode 120 December 2022

    I'm Dr. Universe, and if you're anything like me, you've got big questions about our world. I get lots of questions from kids wondering about aliens.

  • Episode 18: Underwater Volcanoes and Crystals
    Episode 18: Underwater Volcanoes and Crystals

    11 minSeason 2Episode 1827 October 2022

    Dr. Universe and a group of junior scientists from Palouse Prairie Charter School learn about underwater volcanoes and crystals. Students from the fourth-grade class in Moscow, Idaho help Dr. Universe answer earth science questions.

  • Episode 17: All About Space
    Episode 17: All About Space

    10 minSeason 2Episode 1719 September 2022

    Dr. Universe is back with a group of junior scientists from Palouse Prairie Charter School to learn about space. Students from the fourth-grade class in Moscow, Idaho help Dr. Universe answer how we know there are planets outside our solar system and what the …

  • Episode 16: All About Volcanoes
    Episode 16: All About Volcanoes

    8 minSeason 2Episode 1614 July 2022

    Dr. Universe joins a group of junior scientists from Palouse Prairie Charter School to learn about volcanoes. Students from the fourth-grade class in Moscow, Idaho, help Dr. Universe answer how volcanoes work, how they form, what happens when they erupt, wheth…

  • Episode 15: Meet a Cell Scientist | Why do we have hair?
    Episode 15: Meet a Cell Scientist | Why do we have hair?

    4 minSeason 1Episode 151 March 2022

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe and if you’re anything like me you’ve got lots of big questions about our world. This special edition episode features an interview with a scientist from our video series, Ask Dr. Universe, Meet the Scientists. …

  • Episode 14: Meet a Veterinarian | How do lungs work?
    Episode 14: Meet a Veterinarian | How do lungs work?

    6 minSeason 1Episode 1431 January 2022

    Welcome back, young scientists. On this episode, we meet Dr. Kim Chiok, a veterinarian at Washington State University who enjoys writing, doing experiments, and who is curious about viruses, especially those that affect the lungs and other parts of the respira…

  • Episode 13: Meet a Sleep Scientist | Why does sleep feel so short?
    Episode 13: Meet a Sleep Scientist | Why does sleep feel so short?

    8 minSeason 1Episode 1317 December 2021

    On this podcast, we'll talk to some curious people, hear their stories, and investigate some fun science questions along the way. Today's guest is someone who is really curious about sleep. Let's give a warm welcome to Ashley Ingiosi. She'll help us explore a …

  • Episode 12: Meet a Plant Doctor | Pumpkins
    Episode 12: Meet a Plant Doctor | Pumpkins

    5 minSeason 1Episode 1219 October 2021

    Hello young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe and if you are anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world. Today’s special guest is someone who is really curious about plants and why they get sick—yes, you heard that right, plants can get sick…

  • Episode 11: Meet a Planetary Scientist | Mountains
    Episode 11: Meet a Planetary Scientist | Mountains

    7 minSeason 1Episode 1130 September 2021

    On this episode, we meet with Julie Menard, a planetary scientist and geoscience education professional from Washington State University. Plus, we investigate a big kid question about how mountains form.

  • Episode 10: Ice Cream, Berries, Learning Hard Stuff
    Episode 10: Ice Cream, Berries, Learning Hard Stuff

    10 minSeason 1Episode 1029 July 2021

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe and if you’re anything like me you’ve got lots of big questions about our world. On this episode, we’ll investigate great questions from young scientists like, Why does ice cream melt? Why are some berries poiso…

  • Episode 9: Handedness, Weighing Planets, Worms
    Episode 9: Handedness, Weighing Planets, Worms

    10 minSeason 1Episode 915 June 2021

    Welcome back, young scientists. Have you ever wondered why most people are right-handed? How we learned to weigh a whole planet? How worms help the soil? Join Dr. Universe and Washington State University researchers as we investigate these great kid questions…

  • Episode 8: Toothpaste, Sunburns, Saturn's Rings
    Episode 8: Toothpaste, Sunburns, Saturn's Rings

    10 minSeason 1Episode 830 April 2021

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe and if you’re anything like me you’ve got lots of big questions about our world. On this episode, we investigate questions about toothpaste, sunburns, and Saturn. A big thanks to our kid narrator from Regional T…

  • Episode 7: Bird Migration, Touch Screens, Goosebumps
    Episode 7: Bird Migration, Touch Screens, Goosebumps

    9 minSeason 1Episode 725 March 2021

    Welcome back, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe and if you’re anything like me you’ve got lots of big questions about our world. On this episode, we are talking birds, touch screen technology, and goosebumps.

  • Episode 6: Flying Squirrels, Curious Pets, Frosty Patterns, Stinky Cheeses
    Episode 6: Flying Squirrels, Curious Pets, Frosty Patterns, Stinky Cheeses

    11 minSeason 1Episode 623 February 2021

    On this episode, we'll explore questions about flying squirrels, our curious pets, frost, and stinky cheese. A big thanks to our kid narrator from Regional Theater of the Palouse. Thanks to everyone who helped with the science on this episode: Todd Wilson, Dr.…

  • Episode 5: Seasons, Black Holes, Ponds, Shadows
    Episode 5: Seasons, Black Holes, Ponds, Shadows

    10 minSeason 1Episode 527 January 2021

    Welcome back, young scientists. On this episode, our questions take us to outer space the bottom of the pond and into the fascinating world of light and shadows.

  • Episode 4: Mushroom Rings, Apple Cider, Tree Sap, Glass Colors, Lost Connections
    Episode 4: Mushroom Rings, Apple Cider, Tree Sap, Glass Colors, Lost Connections

    11 minSeason 1Episode 423 December 2020

    Hello young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe and if you are anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world. On this episode, we will investigate questions about why mushrooms grow in rings, how to make apple cider, the art of stained glass, why…

  • Episode 3: Knuckle-Walking Apes, Yawning Tears, Best Exercises, A Pandemic Mystery
    Episode 3: Knuckle-Walking Apes, Yawning Tears, Best Exercises, A Pandemic Mystery

    11 minSeason 1Episode 324 November 2020

    Have you ever wondered why apes walk on their knuckles? Why we make tears when we yawn? Why and how exercise helps our bodies? What's the best exercise? (5:17) How the COVID-19 pandemic started?

  • Episode 2: Ants, Face Masks, Pins and Needles, Gummies, Spider Webs
    Episode 2: Ants, Face Masks, Pins and Needles, Gummies, Spider Webs

    11 minSeason 1Episode 221 October 2020

    Have you ever wondered why ants build hills? Why face masks are effective? Why we sometimes get that pins and needles feeling when we sit too long? How gummies are made? Why spiders hang upside down in their webs?

  • Episode 1: Coins, Robots, Bees, Food, Dogs, Microbes
    Episode 1: Coins, Robots, Bees, Food, Dogs, Microbes

    10 minSeason 1Episode 19 September 2020

    Hello, young scientists. I’m Dr. Universe and if you’re anything like me, you’ve got lots of big questions about our world.

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