Ask Dr. Universe

About Ask Dr. Universe

Join Dr. Universe and her friends at Washington State University as they investigate science questions from kids around the world. Know a kid with a curious science question? Help them submit it at askDrUniverse.wsu.edu for a chance to be featured on a future episode.

Publisher

Washington State University

Category

kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

9 Sept 2020

Latest episode

23 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

72 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   23 Oct 2026

   Your Paw-some Question | Do goldfish need 8-12 hours of light?

   Send us Fan Mail Cosmo and I learn that a goldfish's circadian rhythm is tuned by light—and by feeding schedule, thanks to our friend Dr. Nora Hickey Find out more about the circadian rhythmRead up on the one-eyed worm ancestor that gave you your pineal glandWant to see what the see-through pineal window in a fish's skull looks like—when scientists make it glow? Here's a paper about it (go to figure 1)Check out how zebrafish help researchers unravel hearingAnd discover the (intense) salmon li...

2. 

   7 Oct 2026

   Your Paw-some Question | How do butterflies taste with their feet?

   Send us Fan Mail Cosmo and I learn about butterfly taste receptors with WSU's Rich Zack. Watch how entomologists rear caterpilllars with Cornell UniversitySee some clearwing butterflies in 4K from Deep LookFind out how to help butterflies As always, submit burning questions at askdruniverse.wsu.edu. Who knows where your questions will take us next.

3. 

   18 Sept 2026

   Your Paw-some Question | Would it have been possible to domesticate bears instead of wolves?

   Send us Fan Mail Cosmo and I find out why bears never became pets, with expert input from Alaska wildlife biologist Sean Farley. Check out the WSU Bear CenterLearn more about canine genes with the SmithsonianFind out about early human hunter-gatherers with Nat GeoThe American Museum of Natural History shows off its cave bearRead about bears' cool reproductive strategies See a baby bear with a Pennsylvania Game Commission biologistSound effects courtesy Zapsplat and Pixabay As alway...

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

1,501,526

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 41 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

17

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

76

Contact Ask Dr. Universe

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.