Wow in the World - Episode Summary: "Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Rain on the Brain" (April 4, 2025)

In this engaging episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz delve into the fascinating world of rain through their interactive game show segment, "Two Whats?! And A Wow!". Geared towards inspiring curiosity and scientific thinking in kids and their grown-ups, the episode seamlessly blends educational content with fun, interactive elements.

Introduction to Planet Wow: A Geocaching Adventure

The episode kicks off with exciting news about the launch of Planet Wow, an epic geocaching adventure designed to encourage listeners to explore the wonders of our planet. Mindy and Guy introduce the initiative, highlighting the collaboration with the Aspen Institute's Planet Media and Geocaching.com.

Mindy [00:12]: "As you know, there are so many places on our planet that make us all say wow."

Guy Raz [00:17]: "And that's why we're inviting you to go out into the world to find hidden treasures called geocaches. We've stashed in some amazing places."

Listeners are encouraged to sign up for the World Organization of Wowzers by April 11th to receive exclusive trading cards featuring "wow facts" about environmental stewardship. These cards can be placed in geocaches across the United States, promoting both exploration and education.

Mindy [00:38]: "We've partnered with our friends at the Aspen Institute's planet media and geocaching.com to create four different trackable trading cards with some wow facts about caring for our planet."

Two Whats?! And A Wow! - The Scientific Game Show

The heart of the episode is the interactive game show segment, "Two Whats?! And A Wow!", where Mindy and Guy challenge listeners to distinguish between true scientific wonders ("wows") and fictitious statements ("whats"). The theme for this episode centers around rain.

Round 1: The Shape of Raindrops

• Question: Which statement is a true scientific wow?
  • A) Raindrops are shaped like hamburgers.
  • B) Rainwater is the purest water on earth.
  • C) The higher a cloud in the atmosphere, the more rain it produces.

Mindy [05:08]: "In each of our three rounds today, Guy, Raz, and I will present you with three scientific statements about rain. But only one of those statements will be a true wow. The other two, just a couple of made up whats."

The correct answer is A) Raindrops are shaped like hamburgers.

Mindy [07:11]: "Rain doesn't actually fall in the teardrop shapes you might think of. Raindrops start off in a round, roughly spherical shape. When they form, air pushes up on the raindrop as it falls, flattening out the bottom and making it look kind of like a hamburger bun."

Participants who guessed correctly receive a point, while those who didn't face a playful penalty, such as performing a "redonkulous physical challenge."

Round 2: The Speed of Raindrops

• Question: Which statement is a true scientific wow?
  • A) It takes about two minutes for a raindrop to hit the ground.
  • B) The rainiest place on earth is in the forests of Madagascar.
  • C) The largest raindrops ever recorded were about 1 inch wide.

The correct answer is A) It takes about two minutes for a raindrop to hit the ground.

Mindy [09:02]: "The average raindrop falls at a speed of around 14 miles per hour. When it falls from a cloud that is 2,500 feet in the air, it takes about two minutes to splash onto your noggin."

This segment not only provides intriguing facts but also reinforces the scientific method by encouraging critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning.

Round 3: Unusual Rain Phenomena

• Question: Which statement is a true scientific wow?
  • A) Ducks do a special dance when it rains.
  • B) There is a species of ladybug that only drinks rainwater.
  • C) If a tornado picks up seawater with fish in it, it can rain fish.

The correct answer is C) If a tornado picks up seawater with fish in it, it can rain fish.

Mindy [13:08]: "Animal rain is incredibly rare, but it can happen if a tornado moves over a body of water. The tornado pulls water upwards, creating a waterspout. Fish are pulled up the waterspout and into the tornado. When it loses momentum, the fish fall and become, well, fish rain."

This astonishing phenomenon highlights the extraordinary and sometimes surreal aspects of weather science, captivating the audience's imagination.

Bonker Balls Bonus Round

After the main rounds, the hosts introduce the Bonker Balls Bonus Round, a whimsical segment where Mindy picks a random number and players guess it. Although this segment is more for entertainment, it maintains the show's playful and interactive spirit.

Mindy [14:37]: "Okay, it's between one and 88 million."

The bonus round concludes with a humorous prize awarding an "invisible brass toot tooter," showcasing the show's blend of education and lighthearted fun.

Scientific Challenge: Operation Measure the Weather

Before wrapping up, Mindy and Guy present a hands-on scientific challenge for listeners:

Mindy [15:46]: "For this challenge, we want you to ask a grown up to cut the top off a clear plastic water bottle. Then take a ruler and a permanent marker and make one mark for every 5cm on the side. Put the bottle outside the next time it rains and make sure it's secure so it doesn't fall over. Then when the storm is over, you can measure how much it rained."

Listeners are encouraged to document their experiments with photos or videos and share them via email, fostering a community of young scientists eager to explore meteorology.

Conclusion and Takeaways

Throughout the episode, Mindy and Guy effectively blend scientific education with interactive and entertaining elements, making complex topics like meteorology accessible and engaging for young minds. The integration of the Planet Wow initiative further emphasizes the show's commitment to fostering environmental awareness and active participation in preserving our planet.

Notable moments include:

• Encouraging Exploration: The introduction of geocaching promotes hands-on learning and adventure.

• Interactive Learning: The game show format challenges listeners to think critically about scientific facts versus misconceptions.

• Inspiring Curiosity: Fascinating facts about rain, such as the shape and speed of raindrops or the rare phenomenon of fish rain, ignite a sense of wonder and encourage further exploration.

Overall, "Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Rain on the Brain" exemplifies Wow in the World's mission to inspire and educate through storytelling, interactive engagement, and a profound sense of curiosity about the natural world.

Key Quotes:

• Mindy [00:12]: "As you know, there are so many places on our planet that make us all say wow."

• Guy Raz [00:17]: "And that's why we're inviting you to go out into the world to find hidden treasures called geocaches."

• Mindy [05:08]: "Only one of those statements will be a true wow. The other two, just a couple of made up whats."

• Mindy [07:23]: "Rain doesn't actually fall in the teardrop shapes you might think of."

• Mindy [09:02]: "The average raindrop falls at a speed of around 14 miles per hour."

• Mindy [13:08]: "Animal rain is incredibly rare, but it can happen if a tornado moves over a body of water."

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting the educational yet entertaining approach Mindy and Guy employ to engage their young audience. Whether through interactive games, fascinating facts, or hands-on challenges, Wow in the World continues to inspire curiosity and a love for science in children and their families.