It’s time for the Super Awesome Science Show SASS Class on the second wave.. I want to thank everyone who reached out to me on Twitter, by Email, and also at speakpipe.com. I know this subject is not only present in our minds but also under much debate. It’s why I have Patrick Saunders-Hastings with me to answer those questions. He is an epidemiologist and risk scientist who teaches at Carleton University. He has expertise in global health, infectious disease epidemiology and emergency preparedn...
Oct 05, 2020•12 min•Season 2Ep. 2
We are back for Season 2 of the Super Awesome Science Show! It’s been a year unlike any other thanks to, COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) and the virus that causes this illness, SARS-CoV-2. We’ve received numerous questions over the course of the year and want to answer as many of them as possible. And this week, we’re going into one of the most troubling issues facing us at this very moment: the second wave. It has been looming ever since the pandemic began but despite the focus on it over t...
Sep 28, 2020•28 min•Season 2Ep. 1
After an awesome first season, we took a well-deserved break. In that time, the world has changed and as much as we want to talk about the science of love, food, and even UFOs, we cannot ignore the massive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. So that’s what we’ll focus at the start of our second season… We’re going to deal with topics that are in the news but maybe need more explanation like what does it really mean that the virus is airborne spread, what is the second wave and we’ll even look at th...
Sep 23, 2020•2 min
Today, we’re joined by scientist and host of the Super Awesome Science Show Jason Tetro to talk about what we know about how the coronavirus spreads and how to properly practice social distancing. As we’re at the point now where health officials are saying the only way to slow the spread of COVID-19 is through social distancing. But the thing is, in order for us to have any kind of impact and get back to our normal lives, experts are stressing that we have to do it properly. Learn more about you...
Mar 19, 2020•24 min
This week, we’re going to explore the problems associated with lead exposure and lead poisoning that you may not have heard in the news. We’ll learn about how it impacts intelligence and also may affect the mental health not of just the exposed, but also their children. And in our SASS Class, we’re going to find out why it is so difficult to remove lead from our modern world and how you may still be able to stay safe Twitter: @JATetroEmail: [email protected] Guests: - Gina Muckle - Sidney Ken...
Jan 28, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 55
It’s something that we all encounter. No matter how hard we try, we can’t seem to think straight. Our thoughts get jumbled and before we know it, we’re lost. We tend to call it being scatterbrained and for the most part, that’s considered a bad thing. On this week’s show, we’re going to look at the science behind this apparent flaw in our mental machinery and why it may be good for us when it comes to learning and understanding. Our guest for the entire show is Henning Beck, a neuroscientist, sc...
Jan 07, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 54
We tend to go overboard on spending. If we are not careful, our celebrations of December can become a January curse that may last for the rest of the year. This week, we’re going to explore our tendency to spend money and how we can keep ourselves from falling into debt. Our guest for the entire show is Gail Vaz Oxlade, who is one of Canada’s best financial experts. She’s been an author, radio host, and the star of internationally acclaimed television programs such as Til Debt Do Us Part and Pri...
Dec 10, 2019•34 min
As we get ready for the holidays we thought we would share with you this episode about the smells of the Holiday Season in case you missed it in the hustle and bustle of the most wonderful time of the year. On this week’s episode of the Super Awesome Science Show, we stick our noses into the science of smelling, scientifically known as olfaction, and find out how certain scents can draw out attention, bring back memories, and even affect our buying behaviour. We first talk with Dr. Leslie Camero...
Dec 03, 2019•36 min•Season 1Ep. 53
This week we're introducing you to a new podcast called Issue Zero to answer the questions what makes Aliens and the Xenomorph, so terrifying? and could a scenario like Alien happen here on earth? Taking you on this voyage of discover is your host, not in a parasitic way, Fred Kennedy, and he'll share with you the backstory on the Alien film franchise…and more specifically, its star player…the Xenomorph. He's joined by Johnnie Christmas, who just adapted the original William Gibson screenplay fo...
Nov 25, 2019•29 min
This week, we’re going to look at one of the most revolutionary ideas to improve our planet. It’s called the zero emission vehicle – better known as ZEV – and it may be able to reduce our contribution to air pollution and possibly climate change. Most people may know the name Tesla, which is one of the first truly zero emission vehicles on the market. It runs on batteries like many others that are in the pipeline. But there are other types that exist including an engine that runs on hydrogen. Ou...
Nov 19, 2019•33 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Cancer continues to be one of our greatest health concerns. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, nearly 1 in 2 Canadians will develop one form of cancer in their lifetimes. But treatments are getting better and more lives are being saved thanks to new treatments. On this week’s show, we’re going to take a closer look at three new strategies that may soon lead to cures and also vaccines. Our first guest is one of Canada’s premier cancer researchers, John Bell at the Ottawa Hopsital Research ...
Nov 12, 2019•34 min•Season 1Ep. 51
We all have our mother tongue but over forty percent of the world’s population also can speak a second language. Bilingualism is a natural part of many people’s lives and research has tried to explore what this does to the brain and what the benefits happen to be for our lives. On this week’s show, we’re going to learn why having that second language can be good for your life and also your health. Our first guest has been studying bilingualism for decades and is here to help us understand how it...
Nov 05, 2019•34 min•Season 1Ep. 50
We all experience fear but few of us understand it. It usually happens when we feel unsafe or threatened. It is both instinctual and learned. And for some, it can take over their lives while for others, it can be a source for excitement. On this week’s show, we’re going to take a closer look at fear and why it's such a strange and fascinating aspect of our existence. Our first guests are studying how fear exists in the brain and how it impacts our lives, They're Jacob Raber and Sydney Weber Bout...
Oct 29, 2019•36 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Synthetic biology was once considered little more than science fiction. But with the rise of genetic engineering and the ability to make living cells in the lab, there is a real potential for this technology to change our lives for the better. Not surprisingly, this has led to much debate about whether we should use it or not. On this week’s show, we discover how “synbio” can help to improve our food security. Our first guest is Lenore Newman and she is the Canada Research Chair in Food Security...
Oct 22, 2019•36 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Food security is a major concern as our populations increases and our food supply dwindles. Although efforts around the world are focused on trying to sustain our ability to eat, efforts in Africa tend to go unnoticed. This week, we’re going to look at the work being done in various regions across the continent and more importantly, how they are being led by women. Our first guest is Esther Ngumbi, who is originally from Eastern Kenya and is now a professor at the University of Illinois School o...
Oct 15, 2019•35 min•Season 1Ep. 47
In a 24/7 news environment, stories sometimes get the facts wrong. But normally, these lapses are not intentional. But recently, there has been an explosion in false, inaccurate, and harmful stories that are made with the sole purpose of convincing the public that a different reality exists. It’s known as fake news and on this week’s show, we’re going to explore its nature, how to diagnose it, and also how not to be fooled by it. Our first guest is Amber Day, a professor at Bryant University. Sh...
Oct 08, 2019•33 min•Season 1Ep. 46
We tend to believe that morality is knowing the difference between right and wrong. But it's so much more. It's the basis for how we live, because each of us has a unique sense of morality. This week, we look at how morality is developed in children and how we can ensure they become moral adults. Our guest for the entire episode is Melanie Killen. She's a professor of human development and quantitative methodology and the associate director for the Center for Children, Relationships, and Culture...
Oct 01, 2019•32 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Mushrooms can be a welcome addition to any dish. They offer an earthy flavour as well as a meaty texture to tickle our palates. But while mushrooms are great in cuisine, they also have other uses outside of the kitchen. On this week’s show, we explore some of the scientific uses of these edible fungi and how they may be able improve our lives. For centuries, mushrooms have been regarded as medicines in several cultures. Our first guest is working to merge the modern with the ancient. His name is...
Sep 24, 2019•34 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Have you ever seen strange lights in the sky? How about odd shaped vessels floating around in the air. If you have and cannot explain its nature, you have seen an unidentified flying object, better known as a UFO. On this week’s show, we’re going to venture into the world that’s working to figure out what these mysterious craft happen to be. It’s known as Ufology. Out guest for the entire episode is Ryan Sprague. He’s one of the prominent members of this community and has shared his views in a v...
Sep 17, 2019•34 min•Season 1Ep. 43
On this week’s show, we’re going to take a serious look at bullying and how we may be able to prevent it. We first talk with Melissa Holt, who is an associate professor in counseling psychology at the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development at Boston University. She has been studying bullying for close to two decades and has revealed that it is far more complex than we might believe. We hear about what fosters bullying and victimization and how a bully-victim relationship can becom...
Sep 10, 2019•31 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Education is traditionally thought to be comprised of the three Rs – reading, writing, and arithmetic. But research has revealed that students can become better if they are able to see problems and questions in a particular social context. This is known as relevance. On this week’s show, we’re going to explore how relevance can be used to keep students creative and positive. Our first guest is Heidi Bertels at the College of Staten Island of the City University of New York. She has explored how ...
Sep 02, 2019•32 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Over the last few years, getting around by bicycle has surged in popularity. On this week’s show, we’re going to explore what has led to the increase and how we might be able to make Canada a cycling nation. We first talk with Meghan Winters at Simon Fraser University about the rise in biking across the country. She reveals some of the reasons behind the surge and why biking hasn’t become the most utilized form of transportation. Using examples of success stories in this country, she shares her ...
Aug 27, 2019•33 min•Season 1Ep. 40
How long can you go without looking at one of your social media platforms? An hour? Two? More? Less? Social media has become an integral part in most of our lives although perhaps not for the better. On this week’s show, we’re going to look at some of the problems associated with social media and how you might be able to keep yourself safe from the potential harm to your mental health. We first talk with Stephanie Dailey. She is an assistant professor of communication studies at Texas State Univ...
Aug 20, 2019•31 min•Season 1Ep. 39
A decade ago, no one knew what mindfulness was other than a trait you were taught by your parents when it comes to others. But this traditional practice of self-improvement has gained significant attention in the medical community as it appears to help reduce anxiety. On this week’s show, we’re going to venture into the other benefits of mindfulness that may lead you to add this technique to your lifestyle. Our first guest is Adele Diamond. She is a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Developmental ...
Aug 13, 2019•32 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Access to clean and safe water is a human need and is a right. However, for over 2 billion people, this simply is not the case. What’s worse is that in countries that have enjoyed the luxury of treated water, there is a troubling trend. From boil water orders to breaks in the system to massive outbreaks, our water supply is at risk. On this week’s show, we’re going to explore why we should be worried about our water. We first talk with Natalie Hull, an assistant professor of civil, environmental...
Aug 06, 2019•32 min•Season 1Ep. 37
On this week’s show, we’re going to explore the science behind making the perfect drink and whether this is another task that may be taken over by robots. We’ll also learn of one combination that really should never be done. We first talk with a mixologist who is working to change the entire realm of the science. He’s Jim Meehan and he owns Mixography, Inc. He has been involved in the mixology world for years and has developed into a powerhouse in the industry. He takes us through the history of...
Jul 30, 2019•34 min•Season 1Ep. 36
How many times to you check your armpits a day? It’s a common practice for most because in our society, no one wants to have wetness or odour. On this week’s show, we’re going to explore the nature of those two traits and how those deodorants and anti-perspirants make be changing the way we smell. Our first guest is Jessica Gaby. She is postdoctoral scientist at Penn State University, and she has been studying the smell that emits from under our arms. But her research isn’t on chemistry, it’s al...
Jul 23, 2019•34 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Every night, close to five million people spend the night away from home in accommodations, like hotels. With a number that large, there’s bound to be problems. Most of the time, they are easy to solve. On this week's Super Awesome Science Show, we’re going to look how a hotel stay may be a bane rather than a place for comfort. We first talk with John Catucci. He’s best known hosting Food Network Canada's You Gotta Eat Here! and his most recent series, Big Food Bucket List. He’s travelled all ov...
Jul 16, 2019•32 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Take a look at the cosmetics section of any store and you’ll see the most populated and diverse area happens to be hair care. We have an obsession with having those great locks although for many, trying to get the perfect ‘do can be a frustrating struggle. On this week’s show, we take a closer look at the nature of our hair by starting off with an historical perspective. We speak with anthropology doctoral student Tina Lasisi who has been exploring how our hair came to be and why we may have suc...
Jul 09, 2019•35 min•Season 1Ep. 33
There’s little doubt Canada has the reputation of one of the best countries in the world. The same can be said about science in this nation. For over a century, Canadian scientists have been making discoveries that have changed the world. We’ve even had our fair share of Nobel Prize winners. Having a reputation in the scientific community is one thing but nothing beats having a voice on Parliament Hill and this week, we’re going to talk with Canada’s first ever Minister of Science, the Honourabl...
Jul 02, 2019•28 min•Season 1Ep. 32
