Mysteries of Science
The team behind The Week Junior's Science+Nature magazine investigates unexplained phenomena with the help of expert guests. Each episode explores a different mystery, from strange creatures to puzzling scientific questions. The show aims to spark curiosity and encourage critical thinking in young listeners. It combines fun storytelling with real scientific insights.
Episodes
The Ice Mummy
Two hikers stumble upon something in the ice: a mummy. Called, Ötzi, over the next few days, the mummy's extracted and examined by experts. It turns out to be 5,000 years old. Who was this person? How did they get there? And what can we learn from the body in the ice? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Truth About Dragons
Dan and Ciaran open an archive case: Are dragons real? Why do stories of fire-breathing, winged beasts appear in cultures across the world – and can science explain their origins? We're on the quest for answers; from Viking myths to Chinese legends, dinosaur fossils, and even the lair of real-life Komodo dragons. Legendary author Cressida Cowell, dino-expert Nick Crumpton, and Chester Zoo&rs
What came first, the chicken or the egg?
This special episode is packed with real experts answering the burning questions sent in by you, our curious listeners! Get ready as we finally crack the age-old debate: what came first, the chicken or the egg? Along the way, we explore mind-bending concepts like wormholes, discover the surprising origins and purpose of your fingerprints, and even uncover how koalas could be master criminals (sort
Where's Bigfoot?
In this monster-sized episode, Dan and Ciaran lace up their hiking boots to probe one of North America’s most legendary mysteries: Bigfoot. Is this giant, hairy, mysterious figure a real creature stomping through the forests, or is it just a brilliant tale best told around the campfire? We begin by tracking the legend back a thousand years to Indigenous cave art to modern-day giant foot
Deepfakes
Can you believe everything you see and hear online? Dan and Michael navigate the fascinating and unsettling world of deepfakes: images, videos, and audio so realistic you might not know they’re fake. With help from tech experts and researchers, they reveal how deepfakes are made, why they’re getting better and harder to spot and challenge you to outsmart the fakes yourself. Along
Undercover in Area 51
Dan and Michael don their detective hats and head into the Nevada desert to investigate one of the biggest mysteries on Earth: Area 51. Some say it’s just a top-secret US military base for testing new aircraft. Others believe it’s the hiding place for crashed UFOs and even extraterrestrial visitors... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Curious lives of octopuses
Hosts Dan and Michael investigate the curious lives of octopuses: a creature with three hearts, colour-changing skin, and arms that almost think for themselves... Why are octopuses such masters of disguise? Just how smart are they? And what secrets lurk within bodies?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Flashy dinos
Over the past few decades, our ideas about what dinosaurs looked like have changed. Dinos were once thought of as scaly creatures, closely related to reptiles. Now, they are thought to have come in a beautiful array of colours, some with flashy feathers. The Science+Nature team, along with expert guests, unpack this mystery as we ask: what did dinosaurs look like?See omnystudio.com/listener for pr
Smart machines and artificial intelligence
Clever machines have appeared in countless films and are making headlines all the time, but what exactly does it mean? How does it actually work? And could computers ever become so intelligent that they end up doing everything for us?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Black holes
Join Dan and Michael as they dive into Mysteries of Science, the children’s science podcast spotting the universe’s strangest phenomena. In this episode they explore black holes—from how stars collapse to form them, to the event horizon where nothing escapes. The episode also features a tour of how radio waves reveal black holes, what spaghettification means, and whether Earth is
Bermuda Triangle: Do planes really go missing?
The team investigate the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle – a patch in the Caribbean that's well-known for swallowing up airplanes See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Shark Secrets
Dun dun... Dun dun... Dun dun dun dun dun... Michael and Jenny dip their toes into a the water and go searching for sharks. Scary and sinister or seriously misunderstood?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Communicating with aliens
A transmission from the past: Dan and Ciaran ask whether it's possible to talk to aliens. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Everything you need to know about weather
Weather systems can be weird and wonderful. In this episode of Mysteries of Science, Michael and Stevie float among the clouds in an effort to understand more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is shapeshifting possible?
If you could transform into anything, what would you become? And could shapeshifting ever be possible? That's what we're asking in this archive episode of Mysteries of ScienceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Unearthing Sutton Hoo
Sutton Hoo is one of Europe's most amazing discoveries. This ancient burial site once held a ship packed with treasure – but no body. Who was buried there? And why have ghostly visions of helmeted warriors been reported on the site? With the help of expert archaeologists, Dan and Stevie explore the story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In search of Planet X
Ciaran and Dan look at what makes a planet in this classic episode of Mysteries of Science, and whether there's a mysterious extra planet – Planet X – just beyond Neptune, lurking in our cosmic neighbourhood. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Loch Ness Monster
We’re diving into one of the greatest mysteries of all time – The Loch Ness Monster. From ancient legends to modern scientific investigations, we explore the history, sightings, and possible explanations for Nessie. Could she be a prehistoric creature, a giant eel, or just a trick of the imagination? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mariana Trench
We're off to the deepest part of the ocean today – the Mariana Trench – on the quest to find out what lurks in its waters and why it's so hard to explore... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What killed Venus?
Michael and Stevie become interplanetary detectives as they investigate the solar system's hottest and most deadly murder mystery. Venus is often referred to as Earth's twin because the two planets are so similar. But if that's the case, then why is Venus is so inhospitable to life? We take a trip into space and find out what killed Venus... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How to sail like Moana
To celebrate the release of Moana 2, coming soon to cinemas, Dan and Stevie go on a journey to Polynesia to find out how thousands of islands thousands of miles apart were settled without the use of typical instruments using a technique known as wayfinding... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Animal consciousness
Stevie and Michael sit down and chat with some top experts to find out how animals experience the world. From dolphins to octopuses to pets and more, we ask the question: are animals smarter than us?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oumuamua
Hosts Dan and Michael delve into the enigma of Oumuamua, a mysterious object that passed through our solar system in 2017. Initially thought to be a comet or asteroid, Oumuamua's unusual characteristics led to speculation about its origins, including the possibility of it being an alien spacecraft...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Your Mysteries: Moonbows, werewolves, and dinosaur extinction
Michael and Stevie get answers to your burning questions in another episode of Mysteries of Science including a phenomena all about rainbows at night as well as what caused the extinction of the dinos.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Magic potions
Inspired by the Harry Potter series, hosts Stevie and Michael explore magic potions! They uncover the real-life inspiration behind Professor Snape, revealing that a real potions master named Henry Lloyd Snape existed in the late 19th century... We also meet illustrator Johnny Duddle and ask you for your own ideas for magical potions!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Future of food: Would you eat insects?
Are insects in our diets the new sustainable food source? We're sharing parts of our talk from Cheltenham Science Festival plus chatting to exports like dairy farmer, Rich.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Your Mysteries
Dan and Stevie break down some of the biggest mysteries around – as asked by you! Professor Brian Cox and a host of other special guests answer your questions on everything from the temperature of space to jellyfish stings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Altruism
Dan and Michael explore the concept of altruism. From vampire bats who share food to prevent each other from starving, to giving money to charity: why are people kind?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Thylacines
Dan and Michael are going down under to hunt for a thylacine. Also known as the tasmanian tiger or tasmanian wolf, could this supposedly extinct creature actually be secretly lurking in the nation's forests? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Return to Area 51
Michael and Dan are back after a mid-season break to take on perhaps one of the strangest mysteries we’ve ever encountered… What’s being hidden in a top secret US military base, thousands of miles from anywhere, in the middle of a desert? Could it be aliens? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Area 51
In the middle of the desert in Nevada, USA, sits a top-secret military base. You probably know it as Area 51. Today, Michael, Dan, and a team of top experts are peeking over the fence to see what they can spot... Will they find mysterious alien spacecraft? And what's this about a strange airline? Or is the whole thing nothing more than a good story?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat
Dinosaurs
This week we're investigating a mystery requested by one of our listeners – could dinosaurs still walk among us? These terrible lizards went extinct after an asteroid hit Earth 66 million years ago, but is there more the story? Join us and some expert guests as we find out whether or not we're walking with dinosaurs...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How to read minds
Stevie and Michael dive into the topic of telepathy – the (supposed) strange ability to transmit thoughts or read minds! Joining the team to probe the psychic powers of the human mind are emeritus professor Chris French, and journalist and author Kathryn Hulick. We chat about Elon Musk's futuristic Neuralink project, which claims to be able to harness the power of the brain, and hear the story of
The Big Bang theory
Hosts Dan and Michael kick off this new season of Mysteries of Science with a Big Bang: the theory that explains the origin of the universe. Fred Hoyle coined the term to mock a theory he didn't believe in. Now, expert guests Dr. Maggie Lieu and Ethan Siegel shed light on the Big Bang theory and its evidence – and what might happen next...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Your Mysteries
It's a Mysteries of Science season finale! In this episode, Michael and Dan tackle some of your biggest mysteries including ones about intelligent species and the first ever living organisms. We even have an answer from the one and only Professor Brian Cox!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Octopuses
We're going under the sea and chatting to top tentacle geniuses in the form of Chris Packham and friends as we investigate the mystery of octopuses... There's something incredibly unique about these eight-legged creatures that's got us suckered. Can Dan and Michael get to the bottom of it?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dark Matter
Jenny and Michael venture into the cosmos to unravel the secrets of dark matter. As astronomers observe stars and galaxies moving under the influence of an unseen force, we ask: What is dark matter? Why can't we see it? And just how much of the universe does it comprise?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Time Machines
We're going back to the future in a brand new episode of Mysteries of Science, investigating the antikythera mechanism – a strange artefact from the past that looks like it could be made today! Plus, we're telling you how to add to the Fun Kids Time Capsule. Enter online at https://funkidslive.com/timemachine See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BONUS: Mysteries of Science Christmas Cracker
It's a Christmas special of Mysteries of Science! We're recapping the best bits of 2023 and diving into the archive, playing some previously unheard bits from past interviews. Thanks for spending the year with us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ötzi the Iceman
Two hikers stumble upon something in the ice: a mummy. Over the next few days, the mummy's extracted and examined by experts. It turns out to be 5,000 years old. Who was this person? How did they get there? And what can we learn from the body in the ice? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Immortality
Is it possible to live forever? Expert guests author Ross Welford and biologist María Pascual Torner unlock the secrets to turning back time. Could a jellyfish hold the key to anti-aging? What would the world be like if nobody died? We find out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Teleportation
Cartoonist Dr. Jorge Cham and author Kathryn Hulick investigate the mystery of teleportation. Is it possible to travel somewhere else in the blink of an eye? Dan and Michael investigate what might be possible, from robots in other cities to 3D printing people and even ferrying information across the universe in a flash.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Slime
Michael, Jenny, and a team of top experts investigate one of the stickiest, gungiest mysteries we’ve ever explored: slime. From snails to slippery fish, the gang get to the bottom of this gooey, gloopy, natural puzzle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Your Space Mysteries
Michael and Jenny sit down with top scientists to talk about some of the most mind-bending mysteries in the universe — quite literally. This time, we’re answering your most pressing space-themed questions, including what shape the space is, and whether aliens might be on Jupiter’s moon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Deepfakes
They look, sound, and might even move like someone you know – but they're not. Deepfakes are images, videos, and audio recordings that are increasingly used to trick people. Michael and Dan enter the mirror world and try to decipher what's real and what's deepfake. How can you tell the difference? And what does the future look (and sound) like in a world where we can't be sure of what's right in f
Beast of Exmoor
Tales of a strange creature loping around the British countryside have existed for quite some time but is there any truth in them? Michael and Jenny investigate stories of a beast in Exmoor... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is magic real?
The team behind Mysteries of Science present a very special episode, recorded live at Cheltenham Science Festival, all about magic and whether or not it's real! You can watch some of the tricks featured in this episode at sciencenature.theweekjunior.co.uk/magic!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BONUS: The Space Programme
Fun Kids, the UK's children's radio station, has a brand new series called The Space Programme? Life on the Isle of Lune is about to get out-of-this-world! It's a radio drama all about a brand new UK spaceport and the story of a soon-to-be child-astronaut. Hear The Space Programme every Friday from 4pm on Fun Kids, the UK's children's radio station, and as a podcast too. Plus, Fun Kids Podcasts+
Why do we laugh?
Knock, knock. Who's there? Another episode of Mysteries of Science! This week, Michael and Dan explore the mystery of laughter. Find out where laugher comes from and why it's surprisingly good for us. Plus, we're joined by top comedian Olaf Falafel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Secrets of Sharks
Michael and Jenny dip their toes into a brand new mystery, exploring the secrets of sharks – and discover that what lies beneath the surface might not be all that sinister after all... 🦈See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
UFOs
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? If you're not sure, it's a UFO! With World UFO Day right around the corner, Michael and Dan explore the mysteries of Unidentified Flying Objects. Could these ariel phenomena be aliens from another planet or could it be something more easily explained? We're also launching a podcast survey for parents and guardians to help us better understand our listeners. It's 24 que
Can you run as fast as The Flash?
Barry Allen – The Flash – can run pretty fast... but can you? Kicking off season six of Mysteries of Science, Michael and Dan chat to top experts from a fitness trainer to a physics professor to try and work out what the speed limit of the human body is.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Talking animals and dinosaurs coming back to life (Your mysteries answered)
It's the end of Season 5 of Mysteries of Science and we've had a blast! In this final episode, the team answer mysteries you are desperate to know the answers to... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weird Weather
Meteorologist Kirsty McCabe and author Tamsin Mori sit down with Michael and Stevie to talk about weird weather. From lightning that looks like carrots to the perfect conditions for rainbow spotting, we're asking 'why is the weather so weird?' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Do you have a double?
Do you have a lookalike – someone that looks just like you, but isn't actually you? In this episode of Mysteries of Science, we're exploring doppelgängers: people who look remarkably alike!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Was King Arthur a real person?
You’ve heard the legends — of the sword in the stone and the Knights of the Round Table — but how much of that is fact? Dan and Michael investigate the legend of King Arthur. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Quantum Weirdness
Stevie and Michael are entering the realm of quantum physics in this episode of Mysteries of Science! It's all to celebrate the release of the new Ant-Man film. But what exactly is 'quantum physics' anyway?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mountains of The Deep
Deep beneath the ocean exist vast mountain ranges, some of which are bigger than the ones above water! To celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 10th 2023), we're looking at one very special person – Marie Tharp – and her quest to map the mountains of the deep...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Abominable Snowman
Stories of wild giants living in the snow are part of growing up in the mountains. There’s a good chance you’ve heard these stories too; tales of large bipedal creatures (an animal that walks on two legs) living within the foothills of the Himalayan mountains have been around for over 2,000 years... What is this creature? And is it really possible such a giant might exist? See omnystudio.com/liste
Humans' secret superpower
Humans. We're everywhere! But how did we become the most advanced species on the planet and what is it about humankind that makes us stand out from the rest? Dan and Michael investigate in a brand new season of Mysteries of Science.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Christmas Bonus episode: How? What? Why? Expert Answers to Crazy Questions Live at Cheltenham Literature Festival
Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Isabel Thomas, and Peter Gallivan answer some crazy questions live on stage at Cheltenham Literature Festival 2022, in this bonus Christmas edition of Mysteries of Science. See you in the new year for a BRAND NEW SERIES of Mysteries of Science. Until then – stay curious!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Your Mysteries: Chicken or the egg, wormholes, and more
What came first, the chicken or the egg? It's a question that's puzzled people for centuries – including you! Dan and Michael sit down and answer some of your biggest mysteries of 2023. Do you have a mystery for us? Tell us at FunKidsLive.com and you might hear yourself in a future episode! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Inside the pyramids
They’re the most recognisable symbols of Ancient Egypt and the only ancient wonder still in existence. Although some of the secrets of the pyramids have been unearthed, the Great Pyramid still holds many mysteries… Dan and Stevie chat to some top Egyptologists to find out more about them and discover a mysterious void located inside.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Climate change
Right now, world leaders are gathering in Egypt at the COP27 climate conference to discuss what can be done about climate change... The planet's environment is changing and the safe conditions in which we can live are at risk. But what is climate change? What's causing these changing weather patterns? And is there anything we can do about it? Dan and Michael chat to experts to find out these answ
Ghost busting
Halloween's upon us and that means lots of creepy, spooky goings on... right? Michael and Stevie chat to Chris French and paranormal investigator Yvette Fielding about the supernatural world and whether or not ghosts actually exist... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Looking for Atlantis
Atlantis. Just saying the name fills you with a sense of adventure. But where is it? And could a city really have sunk without a trace? Michael and Dan go looking for Atlantis with the help of Cinzia and David... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is your computer smarter than you?
You might have heard of something called AI – which stands for Artificial intelligence. Smart machines have featured in a lot of movies and popped up in the news lately but what is it exactly? How does it work? And could computers become so smart that they could do everything for us humans? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is luck real?
What’s considered lucky might be different depending on where you live and who you are. But what is luck exactly and does luck actually exist? Or is it just something we’ve made up? Two top professors and famous illusionist Derren Brown tackle whether luck is real or not... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is time travel possible?
For many of us, what we know about time travel comes from stories, whether those be books, films or TV shows where characters go from the present to the past to the future and then back again. But is it possible to time travel outside the world of fiction? Tim Peake, Karen Inglis and Ron Mallett sit down with Stevie and Michael to find out whether time travel is possible... See omnystudio.com/list
Your mysteries answered
Why do flies eat poo? Why, when I touch something, do my atoms not merge with the object? Are we living in a computer simulation? All season we've been trying to answer the top mysteries that have baffled scientists for centuries. Now, we're answering yours! Ask a question of your own at FunKidsLive.com/mysteries and you could be in the next season of Mysteries of Science! This episode might fini
Shapeshifters
Fantasy creatures that can morph and change their shape, size and appearance are known as shapeshifters... Creatures like werewolves, vampires, and even the Incredible Hulk are examples of this. Shapeshifting is something that’s captured the human imagination for centuries – with many classic stories about shapeshifting creatures – some real and others imaginary. But is it actually possible? And
Children raised by animals
You might be familiar with the story of Tarzan or Romulus and Remus, the children who founded Rome. But did you know there are also real-life stories of children being raised by animals? That’s our mystery today – we're going to investigate these tales of so-called 'feral children' and find out whether or not it would actually be possible to be raised by animals. Mysteries of Science is a multi-a
The Lost City (Machu Picchu)
We’re going high up into the Peruvian Andes in South America, more than 2,000 metres above sea level, to the ancient lost city of Machu Picchu, one of the world’s most spectacular places. It was named one of the seven wonders of the modern world in 2007. But it’s also one of the most mysterious. Who really built this awesome citadel and what it was used for has puzzled people for a long time... My
What did dinosaurs look like?
Think you know about dinosaurs? Think again! Hollywood movies have lied to you. Are dinosaurs big, scaly creatures with tremendous roars? Maybe... Or, as Michael and Stevie discover in this episode of Mysteries of Science, perhaps they were feathered and sounded more like birds... Mysteries of Science is a multi-award-winning, fortnightly podcast created by The Week Junior's Science+Na
Is something eating the universe? (Black holes)
Black holes are small regions of space where a great amount of matter is packed in and their gravitational pull is so strong that nothing, not even light can escape. But what’s inside a black hole? What would happen to someone if they got sucked in? And are they eating up the universe? Mysteries of Science is a multi-award-winning, fortnightly podcast created by The Week Junior's Scien
Why can't I remember being a baby?
How far back can you remember? I bet you can't remember being a baby. Most people can't and it's a total mystery as to why. Why does this happen? Where did my memories go? And is there any way we can get them back? In this episode, Michael and Dan chat to experts Sally and Carole about where our earliest childhood memories go and whether there's any way we can re-remember them. Mysteries of
The Kraken
What’s got loads of tentacles and, according to legend, snacks on gigantic sailing ships? It’s not a trick question and it’s no joke either. The answer is one of the most mythical sea creatures of all, an animal so enormous that it's rumoured to have sunk ocean vessels and terrorised sailors for centuries. It’s known as the Kraken. Mysteries of Science is a multi-awar
Mystery of the Moai (Easter Island heads)
We're heading to one of the world's most isolated and mysterious places – Easter Island! That's what a group of Dutch explorers called Rapa Nui when they came across the island on Easter Sunday in 1722. Rapa Nui is home to around a thousand large stone statues which have faces carved into them – called moai. People from outside the island have long wondered how its original
Biggest Hoaxes Ever: Fairies, crop circles, zero gravity
Welcome to Season 3 of Mysteries of Science! On this podcast we take a look at the strange phenomena and bizarre events that have left scientists scratching their heads and, despite their best efforts, remain well and truly unsolved. Since this brand new series is being released on April Fool’s Day, we thought we would celebrate by looking at three of the biggest hoaxes of all time, an
Your mysteries answered
We're finishing the second season of Mysteries of Science by looking at some of your mysteries. From unicorns to black holes and even the Big Bang, we're looking at some of the stuff that's thoroughly perplexed you and are on the hunt for answers! This episode might finish Season 2 but it doesn't spell the end of Mysteries of Science. We'll be back soon and looking at some of the most mind be
