North Smithfield High School Library: I-Search:

PODCASTS:

Unique (and entertaining) podcasts to explore for interesting ideas and information:

• Radio Lab: Investigating a Strange World
• This American Life: "A weekly public radio program and podcast. Each week we choose a theme and put together different kinds of stories on that theme."
• All Things Considered: "Each show consists of the biggest stories of the day, thoughtful commentaries, insightful features on the quirky and the mainstream in arts and life, music and entertainment."
• Fresh Air: Interviews with people from all walks of life.
• It's been a Minute with Sam Sanders: "Each week, Sam Sanders interviews people in the culture who deserve your attention."
• Invisibilia: "Invisibilia is Latin for "the invisible things." We explore the invisible forces that shape human behavior — things like ideas, beliefs, assumptions and emotions."

Curious City:

"WBEZ's Curious City lets the public choose the stories we cover. You sound off on what's got you curious about Chicago, the region and its people and WBEZ works with you to get answers.

Some of the questions Curious City asks in relation to Chicago:

• What's Up With All Those Billboard Ads For Lawyers?
• Did All Chicagoans Support The Civil War?
• What's Up With All The Geese In Chicago?

Some questions to ask yourself:

• What have you wondered about before?
• What have you wanted to learn more about?
• Have you ever wanted to know how something works?
• Is there a piece of your culture that you have always wanted to explore further?
• Is there a part of our local/state culture that you have wondered about?

Examples of thought-provoking questions:

• How easy is it for someone to steal my identity?
• What are the most popular foods in different parts of the world?
• Do dreams have deeper meaning?
• Do we have control over technology, or does it have control over us?
• Is fate real?
• What is misinformation and is it dangerous in society?

Explore the Night:

"There are 24 hours in a day. Seems pretty straightforward. But what do you really know about the hours between say, 11pm-6am. From graveyard shift jobs to “secret identities”, who we are and what we do at night is often less fully perceived by others, whether by choice or by circumstance. Peering into the dusty corners of the night, Nocturne explores these often overlooked and undisclosed slices of life."

"TED is a global community, welcoming people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world. We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and, ultimately, the world."

Some topics explored on TED:

• Jamie Oliver: Teach Every Child about Food
• Myriam Sidibe: The Simple Power of Hand-Washing
• Kevin Allocca: Why Videos go Viral
• The Bizarre World of Parasitic Wasps

The Curiosity Desk:

"Edgar B. Herwick III runs WGBH's Curiosity Desk, where he aims to dig a little deeper (and sometimes askew) into topics in the news and looks for answers to questions posed by the world around us."

Some topics/questions explored here:

• Salem Witches, sure. What about the New England Vampire Panic?
• The Census Has A Mandate To Count Every Person. How Do They Do It?
• Why Don't Truth In Advertising Laws Apply To Political Ads?

But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

"But Why is a show led by you, kids! You ask the questions and we find the answers. It's a big interesting world out there.On But Why, we tackle topics large and small, about nature, words, even the end of the world. Have a question? Send it to us"

Some topics/questions explored here:

• What are robots doing on Mars?
• Why are cactuses spiky?
• How do animals get their names?
• Why do we celebrate birthdays?