Wow in the World Podcast Summary Episode: Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Hive Got to Bee Me (May 30, 2025)

Introduction

In this vibrant episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz kick off the show with an exciting announcement tailored for young explorers and their families. As summer approaches, the hosts introduce a collaborative project aimed at fostering environmental awareness and adventure through geocaching.

Planet Wow: An Epic Geocaching Eco-Adventure

Mindy and Guy unveil Planet Wow, an innovative geocaching eco-adventure developed in partnership with Geocaching HQ, the Aspen Institute, and the Nature Conservancy. This initiative is designed to connect curious kids with the wonders of Earth's natural sites while inspiring them to become the next generation of climate activists.

Key Highlights:

• Geocaching Adventure: Families are encouraged to embark on summer road trips, incorporating Planet Wow geocaches along their routes. These geocaches contain Planet Wow trading cards, which have been distributed to members of the World Organization of Wowzers.

  Guy Raz [00:29]: "If your family has some summer road trips coming up, take a pit stop to find some wow."

• Interactive Participation: Listeners can check for trading cards near their locations by visiting planetwow@tinkercast.com or find official geocache locations on the Tinkercast website. If no cards are nearby, printable versions are available for families to plant their own geocaches during their travels.

  Mindy Thomas [00:57]: "Check to see if one of those cards is in a geocache near you@tinkercast.com planetwow."

• Engagement and Rewards: Families are invited to share their eco-adventure discoveries by leaving video or audio messages. Selected submissions will have the chance to be featured in future episodes, fostering a sense of community and shared exploration.

  Mindy Thomas [01:26]: "Leave us a video or audio message about places in your world that wow you for a chance to be featured on an upcoming episode of Wow in the World."

Two Whats?! And A Wow! Game Show

The episode transitions seamlessly into the interactive segment "Two Whats?! And A Wow!", a scientifically-themed game show segment that challenges contestants to distinguish between true scientific "wows" and fabricated "whats."

Round One: Bees' Sensory Abilities

The first round focuses on the sensory capabilities of bees.

Question: Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?

1. A: Some bees have six wings.
2. B: Bees make a buzzing sound that comes from their backside.
3. C: Bees can taste with their feet.

Contestant Highlight:

• Evie from Ontario correctly identifies C: Bees can taste with their feet as the true wow.

  Evie [05:52]: "My wow in the world is bees can taste with their feet."

Insight: Bee legs have specialized sensors called sensilla, allowing them to taste with their tarsi (feet), aiding in determining suitable food sources.

Guy Raz [06:10]: "Honeybees have teeny tiny hair like sensors called sensilla on their mouths, antennas, and their legs... Bees use the taste buds on their tarsi to decide whether or not something is worth feeding on."

Round Two: The Color Diversity of Bees

The second round delves into the coloration found within bee species.

Question: Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?

1. A: Some bees are blue.
2. B: Some bee species are totally hairless.
3. C: All bees are nocturnal.

Contestant Highlight:

• Leo from Florida successfully chooses A: Some bees are blue as the authentic wow.

  Leo [07:34]: "My wow in the world is that there's such a thing as blue bees."

Insight: Certain bee species possess special scales that reflect light, creating vibrant blue hues similar to peacock feathers. Examples include the blue carpenter bee, blue sweat bee, and blue orchard mason bee.

Guy Raz [07:52]: "Blue carpenter bees, blue sweat bees, and the blue orchard mason bee are examples of blue bees found around the world."

Round Three: Bees' Anatomical Features

The final round explores the anatomical complexity of bees.

Question: Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?

1. A: Female bees have bigger antennae than male bees.
2. B: Worker bees have a union called Pollinators Local 101.
3. C: Bees have five eyes.

Contestant Highlight:

• Amiria from Illinois accurately identifies C: Bees have five eyes as the genuine wow.

  Amiria [11:36]: "My wow is that bees have five eyes. They have two big eyes and three little ones."

Insight: Bees possess five eyes: two large compound eyes for detecting shapes and colors, and three smaller ocelli that assist in navigation and maintaining balance during flight.

Mindy Thomas [11:58]: "Bees do have five eyes. Two big ones on the sides of their head and three small eyes up on top."

Conclusion and Prizes

The game show concludes with cheerful rewards for the winners, including 100% authentic, fresh-off-the-comb honey for all contestants. Mindy and Guy emphasize the importance of bee conservation and the fascinating biological traits of these essential pollinators.

Mindy Thomas [13:02]: "Today all of our contestants will receive their very own personal... 100% authentic. Fresh off the comb honey."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Wow in the World successfully combines educational content with interactive and engaging segments, encouraging young listeners to explore and appreciate the natural world. Through Planet Wow and the Two Whats?! And A Wow! game show, Mindy and Guy Raz foster a sense of wonder and curiosity, making science accessible and fun for kids and their families.

Notable Quotes:

• Guy Raz [00:29]: "If your family has some summer road trips coming up, take a pit stop to find some wow."

• Mindy Thomas [00:57]: "Check to see if one of those cards is in a geocache near you@tinkercast.com planetwow."

• Evie [05:52]: "My wow in the world is bees can taste with their feet."

• Leo [07:34]: "My wow in the world is that there's such a thing as blue bees."

• Amiria [11:36]: "My wow is that bees have five eyes. They have two big eyes and three little ones."

For more adventures and scientific wonders, tune into future episodes of Wow in the World!