Bee-Ball: A Buzzer-Beating Investigation Into Why Insects Play

Some new animal behavior science is causing a buzz... Whether or not insects play like other animals is one of the biggest mysteries in the natural world. And in this exciting Wow in the World episode, why insects play takes center stage – or rather, center field – as Mindy, Guy Raz, Dennis, Thomas Fingerling, and Gramma G-Force suit up as bumblebees to investigate a surprising scientific discovery: bees might play just for fun!

New research from Queen Mary University of London could change the way we think about play. Along the way, the crew explores an incredible series of experiments involving buff-tailed bumblebees, tiny wooden balls, and a question that scientists have been asking for years: do animals play simply because it's fun?

But beneath the bee-themed mayhem lies a fascinating true story about researchers who first taught bumblebees to move miniature balls toward goals for rewards—and then noticed something unexpected. Some bees were rolling balls around even when there was no prize to earn. Could the bees have been playing for the sheer joy of it?

Packed with laugh-out-loud moments, wild bee-ball action, and surprising science, this episode explores what play can teach us about animals—and ourselves. By the end, Guy Raz may even learn that not everything needs to be productive to be worthwhile.

So grab your bee suit, roll a ball, and get ready for a buzzing adventure into one of science’s most delightful mysteries. From bee soccer to big questions about fun, curiosity, and behavior, this Wow in the World episode proves that sometimes the reward isn’t a trophy, a treat, or a goal scored—it’s simply the joy of playing.

📺 You can watch the WOW of this episode right now on our YouTube channel, WowTube! Find your favorite Tinkercast podcast episodes, experiments with Mindy, original music with Dennis and so much more at youtube.com/@tinkercast.

✨ Don’t miss the chance to explore even further with Wow in the World:

Grownups can visit https://bit.ly/4pU76WO to join the World Organization of Wowzers (WOW) and unlock exclusive activities, birthday cards, quarterly mailings, first dibs at events, and a welcome kit with an autographed photo of Mindy & Guy Raz! Plus, Grownups help support our podcast and our mission to create content and experiences that connect laughter to learning, curiosity to innovation and kids to the WOWs in their world!

This episode of Wow in the World is perfect for kids and families who love insects, sports, and big WOWs of science!

Originally aired 2/27/23.

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