Family Friendly Science supplies radio producers with MP3 roll-ins. We also supply one or more follow-up questions and a link to the full text of the piece. Samples are here.

ET Go Home 

• Audio file. MP3. Downloadable. 1:46
• Full Text.
• Suggested follow-up questions: Is there a way to search for extraterrestrials without reaching out at all? Has anyone within NASA ever tried to push for a ban on actively searching for terrestrials and sending out signals? Are there any points of absolute agreement among all scientists dealing with the search for extraterrestrials? Can we look to our own history for guidance? Has it ever gone well on earth when a more advanced civilization discovered a less advanced one?
• More information at:
  • Why Doesn’t NASA Just Look for Life?
  • Stephen Hawking Helps Launch Massive Search for Extraterrestrial Life
  • Is Stephen Hawking Right About Aliens?
  • Is This Thing On?

Why Do Dogs Do What They Do When They Do It? (for radio)

• Audio File.  MP3. Downloadable. 1:54
• Full Text.
• Suggested follow-up questions: Where was the research done? Is this behavior true for all breeds of dogs? Do they always align themselves with the magnetic field when relieving themselves, or are there some times when they don’t? How do magnetic storms influence dogs’ behavior?
• More information at National Geographic’s “Dogs Sense Earth’s Magnetic Field.“

Stuff My Chimp Throws (for radio)

• Audio file. MP3. Downloadable. 2:28
• Full Text.
• Suggested follow-up questions: Do humans who have “great arms” also have more white cells in the speech center of their brains? Considering how many calculations are involved in aimed throwning—distance to target, rate of target’s movements, weight of object, for example—could throwing itself actually increase intelligence?
• More information:
  • Tool Using and Aimed Throwing in a Community of Free-Ranging Chimps
  • Poop Throwing Is a Sign of Intelligence
  • The Neural and Cognitive Correlates of Aimed Throwing in Chimps