The Sound of Science: Recent Episodes
Northern Public Radio
WNIJ and NIU STEAM are partnering to create “The Sound of Science,” a weekly series explaining important science, technology, engineering and math concepts using sound. The feature will air at 1:04 p.m. Fridays as a lead-in to Science Friday.The Sound of Science is made possible by Ken Spears Construction00000179-e1ff-d2b2-a3fb-ffffd7090000
The NIU STEAM Team shed some light on a listener's query of whether, or not, the wavelength of light can influence our regular routines for a good night's rest.
The NIU STEAM Team was given the "all clear" to fly into the WNIJ Studio. They landed on the runway, with facts in hand, to answer a listener's inquiry: "How do airplanes have the ability to fly when they are so big and heavy?"
The duo from NIU STEAM return and, this time, they're putting on their paleontologist hats! They dig up the answer to a young listener's question: "How were the first dinosaur fossils discovered?"
NIU STEAM launch to the WNIJ studio, and they brought their telescopes, to answer if Earth really has two moons.
The NIU STEAM Team let their leaves of knowledge fall upon WNIJ's yard while answering a listener's question: "How do leaves change color?"
Our very own NIU STEAM duo deliver us the details on the roots of Halloween and answer "where was Halloween first celebrated?"
Our NIU STEAM Team is back in full-force to answer the age-old question: "What did ancient cultures use to produce dyes?"
NIU STEAM team drops by to answer the question: "What impacts have Asian-American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders had on areas of STEAM?"
Our team from NIU STEAM deliver us the facts on the trending practice of taking ice baths to soothe achy joints and muscles.
The NIU STEAM team put on their astronomy hats and pointed their telescopes to the Moon to explain how Earth's satellite is visible during the day.
The NIU STEAM Team have their fingers on the pulse of information and enrich us on if one can truly suffer from a broken heart.
Like a cyclone of knowledge, NIU STEAM touches down on the scene to demystify whether or not weather can alter this human condition.
Our very own STEAM squad from NIU clean up the facts surrounding ecological solutions for personal hygene.
Our very own NIU Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) duo spring into action to talk about the Vernal Equinox.
NIU Sound of Science team discuss how artificial intelligence could be used to forecast aurora activity.
The NIU STEAM team answer cosmic questions about the upcoming Solar Eclipse on April 8th, 2024.
The Sound of Science crew educate us on women in innovation in honor of National Women's Month.
NIU STEAM explores which African American inventors help us live our daily lives easier.
NIU STEAM answers a listener's question: "Who are considered to be African American Pioneers in the area of Cardiovascular Medicine?"
The Sound of Science tells us what is fact and what is myth about Daylight Savings Time
The Sound of Science teams looks at how much physical space all of those gigabytes actually take up.
We conclude our short series on the steelpan drum by learning how the instrument is tuned.
Newt and Becky explain how the salt on our roads is different than the salt on our plates.
We learn why humans have developed an acute ability to recognize patterns in the world.
Dr. Brynteson: You are listening to the Sound of Science on WNIJ. I'm Dr. Kristin Brynteson, director of NIU STEAM. Today, I'm joined by Dr. Muthuswamy, associate professor in the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology. Welcome!
Dr. Brynteson: Welcome WNIJ listeners to The Sound of Science. I'm Kristin Brynteson, director of NIU STEAM. Today I'm joined by Dr. Muthuswamy, associate professor in the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology. Welcome.
Dr. Brynteson: Welcome WNIJ listeners, I'm Dr. Kristin Brynteson, director of NIU STEAM. Today, I have Dr. Muthuswamy, associate professor in the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology joining me in the studio.
KC: Welcome to The Sound of Science of WNIJ. I'm K.C. from and today we're joined by Dr. Victor Gensini for today's episode. Thanks for joining us.
KC: Welcome to the Sound of Science on WNIJ. I'm K.C. and today we're joined by Dr. Victor Gensini from Northern Illinois University and today's topic is Tornado Alley, but does Tornado Alley really exist?
KC: You're listening to the Sound of Science on WNIJ, I'm K.C. and today we welcome Dr. Victor Gensini from Northern Illinois University to talk about tornados.
Jeremy: Welcome to the Sound of Science on WNIJ. I'm Jeremy and today we're celebrating our 100th episode of the Sound of Science. Given the occasion, we couldn't think of a better topic than radio and science literacy. Joining us today, we've got WNIJ Producer Spencer Tritt.
Kristin: Welcome WNIJ listeners to the Sound of Science. I’m Kristin Brynteson, Director of NIU STEAM.
HOLLIE: Welcome to the Sound of Science. You’re listening to part three of our three-part series celebrating Women’s History Month. Over the past few weeks, we’ve featured the voices of women working in STEM right here at Northern Illinois University. For our final episode we reached out to Becky Griffith. Becky is a STEAM educator with a background in fine arts and a passion for teaching video game design. We asked Becky who we should be celebrating this March and her answer brought to light an artist who is sure to leave an impression.
HOLLIE: Hello, WNIJ listeners and welcome to The Sound of Science. This episode is part two of our three-part series celebrating Women’s History Month. In this series, we feature voices of Women in STEM working at Northern Illinois University. For today’s episode I reached out to Ann Shult, a STEAM Educator with 26 years of experience teaching high school anatomy and physiology right here in DeKalb #428. When asked who her STEAM role model was, Ann quickly answered and knew exactly who she wanted to talk about.
HOLLIE: Welcome to The Sound of Science. This episode is part one of a three-part series featuring voices of women in STEM working right here at NIU in honor of Women’s History Month. Expect to learn all about some amazing women whose legacies are much too big for one episode and whose impact affects not just the fabric of science history, but the day-to-day lives of the women out in the world today using STEM to create change. This week I reached out to engineer turned educator, blogger, podcaster, and maker extraordinaire Dr. Kristin Brynteson and asked her to talk about a woman in STEM who inspired her.
FLYNN: Welcome to the Sound of Science. I’m Joseph Flynn with the Center for Black Studies and today Ms. Gaylen Rivers joins me as we look at prominent black figures in STEM.
JOSEPH: Welcome to The Sound of Science on WNIJ. I’m Joseph Flynn from NIU’s Center for Black Studies and I’m joined by Ms. Gaylen Rivers.
Joe: Good afternoon listeners and welcome to The Sound of Science on WNIJ. I’m Joseph Flynn from the NIU’s Center for Black Studies and today I’m joined by Ms. Gaylen Rivers.
KC: Hello listeners! Welcome to the Sound of Science on WNIJ! I’m K.C. Sauer from NIU STEAM.
KC: Hello listeners! Welcome to the Sound of Science on WNIJ. I’m NAME from NIU STEAM and I’m joined by fellow STEAM Team member NAME.
JEREMY: Happy New Years, WNIJ Listeners! The Sound of Science is back and we’ve got a fun year planned for the show. Our listener Evan T. wants to know when water first appeared on Earth, how it got here, and what triggered the start of the water cycle.
Welcome to The Sound of Science on WNIJ. I’m Jeremy from NIU STEAM and today I’m joined by Ann.
S1: Good afternoon WNIJ listeners! This is K.C. and Hollie joining you for The Sound of Science.
Hollie: Well, it’s that time of year again, WNIJ listeners. The first snow of the year has fallen. Today, I’m joined by NIU STEAM Team member K.C. Sauer who directs our Become a Weather Scientist summer camp and after school programming. How are you doing today, K.C.?
Join us every Friday at 1:00pm for the Sound of Science, airing right before Science Friday on WNIJ.
Alexis: I’m Alexis from NIU STEM Outreach and this is the Sound of Science on WNIJ. Today I’m joined by Idalia.
Livilla: Welcome to The Sound of Science on WNIJ. I’m Livilla from NIU STEM Outreach. Natalie will accompany me today as we explore women in the STEM field, such as pioneering mathematician Sofia Kovalevskaya.
Joe: Welcome to the Sound of Science on WNIJ. I’m Joe from NIU’s Center of Black Studies, and I’m here with Gaylen.
Joe: Welcome to the Sound of Science on WNIJ. I’m Joe from the NIU Center for Black Studies.
Gaylen: Welcome to The Sound of Science on WNIJ. I’m Joe from NIU Center for Black Studies. Joe will accompany me today as we dive deep into history.
Joe: Welcome to The Sound of Science on WNIJ. We’re Joe and Gaylen from NIU Center for Black Studies.
Jeremy: Welcome to the Sound of Science on WNIJ. I’m Jeremy from NIU STEM Outreach, and I’m here with my colleague Sam.
Sam: Welcome to The Sound of Science on WNIJ. I’m Sam from NIU STEM Outreach. And with me is Jeremy. Today we’re going to venture into the Uncanny Valley.
Jeremy: I’m Jeremy Benson with Sam Watt from NIU STEM Outreach, and it’s time for another episode of the Sound of Science on WNIJ.
J: I'm Jeremy Benson from NIU STEM Outreach and I'm in the studio with Kate Powers. This is the Sound of Science on WNIJ.
K: I’m Kate Powers from NIU STEM Outreach and I’m in the studio with Jeremy Benson. This is the Sound of Science on WNIJ.
Sam: I’m Sam Watt from NIU STEM Outreach and this is the Sound of Science on WNIJ. I have a question from Madison today and Jeremy Benson is going to help me answer. Jeremy, Madison wants to understand more about rainbows. Why do we see them and why do they appear in the sky just after a rainstorm?
K: I’m Kate Powers from NIU STEM Outreach here in the studio with Sam Watt and this is the Sound of Science on WNIJ.
K: I’m Kate Powers from NIU STEM Outreach here in the studio with Jeremy Benson and this is the Sound of Science on WNIJ.
K: I’m Kate Powers from NIU STEM Outreach with Jeremy Benson and this is the Sound of Science on WNIJ.
J: I'm Jeremy Benson from NIU STEM Outreach and I'm in the studio with Kate Powers. This is the Sound of Science on WNIJ.
J: I’m Jeremy Benson from NIU STEM Outreach and I’m in the studio with Kate Powers. This is the Sound of Science on WNIJ.
K: I’m Kate Powers from NIU STEM Outreach here in the studio with Sam Watt and this is the Sound of Science.
J: I’m Jeremy Benson from NIU STEM Outreach and I’m in the studio with Kate Powers. This is the Sound of Science on WNIJ.
J: I’m Jeremy Benson from NIU STEM Outreach and I’m in the studio with Kate Powers, this is the Sound of Science on WNIJ.
Sam: This is the Sound of Science from WNIJ. I’m Sam Watt from NIU STEM Outreach and I’m here with Jeremy Benson to discuss my favorite kitchen gadget.
Kate: Hi there, this is Kate Powers from NIU STEM Outreach, and it’s time for another installment of The Sound of Science on WNIJ. Today I’m joined by Sam Watt, who has another great question from a listener.
Kate: Hi! I’m Kate Powers from NIU STEM Outreach, joined by my good friend Sam Watt. Today we have a question from Annie who wants to know more about how scientists study stars from so far away. Well Annie, scientists listen to the stars, of course.
Kate: This is the Sound of Science on WNIJ. I’m Kate Powers from NIU STEM Outreach. I’m joined in the studio by Sam Watt. Sam, I want to share some cutting-edge research I just read about.
Kate: Hi, I’m Kate Powers from NIU STEM Outreach, and this is the Sound of Science. Joining me today is Sam Watt who has a question from one of our loyal listeners.
M: Welcome to the Sound of Science on WNIJ. I'm Mackenzie Thompson from NIU STEM Outreach, and today I'm joined by my good friend, Sam Watt. Sam, today we have a question from Rhea, who asks, "Why do the leaves change colors in the fall?"
Kate: Welcome to the Sound of Science on WNIJ. I’m Kate Powers from NIU STEM Outreach. Today we have a question from Marcella. She wants to know what percentage of our genes come from our parents. Marcella, it depends on who bought the denim pants and how many pairs you already have.
Sam: I’m Sam Watt from NIU STEM Outreach and this is the Sound of Science on WNIJ. I have a question from Andy today and Kate Powers, our resident chemist, will help me answer. Kate, Andy wants to know why we put salt on our sidewalks and roads to melt ice in the winter?
Sam: Hi I’m Sam Watt from NIU STEM Outreach and this is the Sound of Science on WNIJ. I’m joined in the studio by Kate Powers who’ll help answer a question submitted to us by Elisa.
Kate: I’m Kate Powers from NIU STEM Outreach and this is the Sound of Science on WNIJ. I’m joined by Sam Watt who has a question for me.
J: Welcome to The Sound of Science on WNIJ. I’m Jeremy Benson from NIU STEM Outreach, and I’m in the studio with Kate Powers. Kate, today we have a question from Lydia that is making me laugh just thinking about it. Lydia wants to know why Peeps marshmallows expand so much when you microwave them.
K: I’m Kate Powers from NIU STEM Outreach, with Jeremy Benson and this is the Sound of Science on WNIJ.
J: Welcome to The Sound of Science on WNIJ. I’m Jeremy Benson from NIU STEM Outreach, and I’m joined by Kate Powers.
Kate: Welcome to the Sound of Science on WNIJ, I’m Kate Powers from NIU STEM Outreach and I have a question for Jeremy Benson. Jeremy, with cooler weather on its way I think Ellie’s question is very pertinent right now. Ellie wants to know why wind blows.
Kate: Welcome to the Sound of Science on WNIJ. I’m Kate Powers, and today’s question comes from Alex who wants to know why coffee tastes so weird. With me is STEM Outreach’s resident coffee enthusiast Sam Watt. Sam loves his coffee so much, he even went out of his way to pick and roast his own coffee in a coffee grove in Cambodia!
We're pretty comfortable with vision and glasses. We have our eyes checked regularly, and when our sight becomes blurry we put on glasses to bring the view back into focus. But do we get our ears checked regularly? And if our hearing becomes “blurry” do we put on hearing devices to help us hear? Why can't hearing aids “fix” hearing loss as simply as glasses can “fix” vision?
Welcome to The Sound of Science on WNIJ. Our program is not always about the physics of acoustics in music. Sound has a vast effect on science and society alike.
With me today I have a Hemholtz resonator. This is an incredibly complex instrument, so I’ll do my best to describe it. It’s a glass bottle with a long neck, and I got 6 for about 10 bucks. Okay, it’s a beer bottle, but it is in fact a Hemholtz resonator.”
What do kids on a swing, musical instruments, and microwave ovens have in common? They all use an underlying scientific concept called resonance as well as being common parts of our daily lives.
It’s that time of year again: when cicada songs flood our warm summer nights, announcing their presence as they attract mates. As a kid I was told they only came out every 7 years. I was confused because I heard them every year. It turns out whomever told me they emerge every 7 years was wrong on two counts: some species of cicadas emerge every year, and some emerge every 13 or 17 years.
Whoo, that was embarrassing. I accidentally let my borborygmi go. Of course, borborygmi is involuntary, I can’t help it. Borborygmi, the rumbling sound of your gut, doesn’t come from your stomach, nor is it solely because you’re hungry.
WNIJ and NIU STEAM are partnering to create “The Sound of Science,” a weekly series explaining important science, technology, engineering and math concepts using sound. The feature will air at 1:04 p.m. Fridays as a lead-in to Science Friday. The first “Sound of Science” episode airs today.