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WeWow on the Weekend

Dennis and Reggie kick off the episode with infectious enthusiasm, setting a joyful, story-driven tone as they dive into a beloved Tinkercast classic—revisiting the very first mystery from Wow in the World’s early days.
This episode revisits 'Un-BEE-lievable Bees!', the groundbreaking mystery where Mindy discovers her bees have vanished overnight. What begins as a comedic 4 a.m. emergency—with Mindy in a wallaby suit and Guy Raz playing detective—quickly deepens into an exploration of real-world bee conservation. The hosts unpack Colony Collapse Disorder, highlighting its complex causes: Varroa mites, viruses, pesticides, and habitat loss. They emphasize bees’ critical role—pollinating 80% of flowering plants—and spotlight cutting-edge science at Bangor University, where researchers attach energy-harvesting micro-trackers to bees. These tiny 'backpacks' convert wing motion into power, enabling long-term study of foraging behavior without batteries. Throughout, humor and heart anchor serious ecological themes, making science accessible and urgent for young listeners—and their grownups.
03:08
03:08
‘Un-BEE-lievable Bees!’ is Wow in the World’s first mystery episode
10:07
10:07
Guy Raz narrates the bee search like a detective while wearing a trench coat and hat
13:38
13:38
CCD is driven by three main factors: a bee virus and the Varroa destructor parasite, pesticides, and habitat loss
17:09
17:09
If bees disappear, plants could too
20:10
20:10
The light tracker is powered by bees' wing-beating to study foraging habits