Why do trains run on tracks?
7 February 2025 - 20 minsHow do trains work? We went to Union Station in Washington, DC to answer a whole wagonload of questions with Amtrak's Patrick Kidd.
A few years ago, we left our studio in Vermont to hop on the Amtrak Acela train that runs multiple trips per day between Washington, DC, New York City and Boston. But don't worry; we got off before the train departed! It was so much fun, we wanted to bring you that journey again!
Questions we're answering in this episode: How do trains work? What about electric trains? Steam trains? Bullet trains? Why do they have to go on tracks? How can trains go so fast even though they're so heavy? And why don’t trains have seat belts?
Download our learning guides: PDF |...
Series Episodes
Do bunnies come out at night?
Why are rabbits called bunnies? Why do they have fur? Why do bunnies have puffball tails? Why do rabbits have eyes on the sides of their heads? Why do rabbits hop? Our guest is Margo DeMello, professor of anthrozoology at Carroll College in Montana. She’s also a rabbit rescuer and rehabilitator who is currently caring for 12 rabbits in her home! Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript
25 mins
23 January Finished
Why can’t we remember being babies?
How does memory work? Why can’t we remember things that happened when we were babies? Why do we forget? Why are some people forgetful? Why do elephants have such good memories. What’s this episode about? I forgot! Oh yeah, how does our memory work! Our guest is Dr. Nick Turk-Browne, professor of psychology at Yale University. Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript
31 mins
9 January Finished
What’s on your bucket list?
Have you ever heard of a bucket list? That’s an expression people sometimes use that means something big you want to do or see or accomplish in your lifetime! For our last episode every year, we like to turn things around and WE ask a question for YOU to answer! Our 2025 end-of-year question is for you to tell us what’s on your bucket list–what’s something really big that you hope to accomplish at some point in your lifetime? Listen to this episode for things to add to your bucket list! Download our Learning Guide: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript
16 mins
26 December 2025 Finished
Why do goats sound like humans? A Cozy Critters Collaboration
Have you ever heard a fox scream at night and thought it was a human? And why, when goats bleat, do they sometimes sound like human babies? Animals can sometimes make similar noises but not because they’re feeling the same things. It often has more to do with how similar the sound-making structures in our bodies are! In this bonus episode, we learn about how animals make sounds and how their vocal folds work with Dougie Pickles, host of the sleepy adventure podcast Cozy Critters. Download Transcript
8 mins
19 December 2025 Finished
How do oysters make their shells?
On a rainy, windy day, But Why hopped on a ferry and headed to Governors Island in New York City with one thing on our minds - oysters! We met up with Mike McCann of the Billion Oyster Project to learn more about these very special bivalves. How do they get their shells? How long do they live? What do oysters eat and who eats them? Why do people eat oysters without cooking them? Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript
26 mins
12 December 2025 Finished
What’s an oboe? How does a flute work? What’s a viola?
How do musical instruments make their sounds? Why do people play music in the first place? What’s a viola bow made out of? How are musical instruments made? How much do professional musicians practice? Three musicians from the Vermont Symphony Orchestra joined families at the Vermont Public Studios for a special live episode during our Curious Kids Day live events. We hear from Melissa Meilens on flute, Katie Oprea on oboe and Stefanie Taylor on viola. Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript
55 mins
28 November 2025 Finished
