This week Lauren and PJ rage against the machine a little bit and get some things off their chests. The National Science Foundation board has been dismissed, years of cuts in research and arts have piled up and piled up and we're mad as hell and we're not gonna take it anymore!

Tune in to find out why this is so bad and why PJ agrees with the president? (Oooo PJ learned clickbait!)

#Science

#STEM

#NSF

#NationalScienceFoundation

#budgetcuts

Its celebration time here on Lauren and PJ Do Science! The Orion capsule has safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean thus ending the Artemis II mission.

PJ recaps the mission, some of the science done and looks towards the future and we even go into some interesting Lauren lore learning about her questionable taste in men and borderline obsession with Christopher Lee (rumor has it, his estate listened to this episode and filed a restraining order).

We however desperately need your help on this episode! Both of our hosts wrote a song celebrating Artemis II and its up to you fine folks to tell us which one you liked better! So vote in the comments and the loser has to face a punishment on the next show. So listen up and be honest. They can take the criticism... which is only because they've funded many a vacation and a large boat for their respective therapists.

Don't forget to like and subscribe while you're at it too!

#space

#NASA

#artemis

#artemis2

#orion

#science

#moon

The Artemis II crew has officially blasted off on humanity’s first trip around the Moon in over 50 years—and we’re following every thruster burn, orbit tweak, and cosmic bathroom repair right along with them. Lauren and PJ break down how the launch went, what the astronauts are up to in space, and why this mission is such a huge step toward putting people back on the lunar surface.

We also talk about the great Outlook-in-space fiasco (to quote a wise man "Out of order!? **** even in the future nothing works!), and of course… the tragic saga of Shower Guy, our stowaway who learned the hard way that showers in space aren't what he thinks.

Check out the official NASA Artemis II mission tracker at nasa.gov — it’s the real-time feed showing the Orion spacecraft’s position, speed, and distance from Earth and the Moon.

#ArtemisII #NASAMission #ToTheMoon #SpacePodcast #LaurenAndPJDoScience #OrionSpacecraft #ScienceComedy #SpaceExploration #ShowerGuyForever #ArtemisCrew #OutlookInSpace

We interrupt our regular programming for #Podcastathon 2026!

Lauren and PJ are super excited to be participating in their first #Podcastathon this year. PJ is a massive Lego fan so what better than to pick a charity that combines Lego and STEAM (Science, Technology, Education, Arts, Math)?

We’ll be talking all about the BrickCon Foundation which is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by the BrickCon convention and even have a discussion with Steven Walker, the President of the BrickCon Foundation. So sit back, relax, grab a Lego set and enjoy!

Check out more about BrickCon at https://brickcon.org/ and the BrickCon Foundation at https://brickconfoundation.org/giving

You can also learn more about Podcastathon at https://podcasthon.org/

#podcastathon2026

#STEAM

#STEM

#LEGO

#Charity

#BrickCon

#BrickConFoundation

#Science

In this episode of Lauren and PJ Do Science, we explore NASA’s Artemis II mission—the first crewed Moon mission since Apollo.

PJ explains how the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft will send astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon, testing the technology needed for the future of lunar exploration and eventual missions to Mars.

Along the way, Lauren and PJ dive into rocket science, gravity, astronaut life, and the physics of spaceflight, with the usual mix of curiosity, humor, and science storytelling.

If you’re curious about the future of space exploration and humanity’s return to the Moon, this episode is your mission briefing for Artemis II. 🚀

#ArtemisII
#NASA
#MoonMission
#SpaceExploration
#SLSRocket
#OrionSpacecraft
#SpacePodcast
#SciencePodcast
#Astronomy
#RocketScience
#STEM
#FutureOfSpace
#MoonExploration
#MarsMission
#LearnScience
#LaurenAndPJDoScience

What do swamps have to do with Will O’ The Wisps — and why are they some of the most important ecosystems on Earth?

In Part 2 of our Will O’ The Wisp series, Lauren and PJ shift from folklore to the fascinating science of swamps. We explore how swamps form, what makes them unique ecosystems, and why anaerobic decay plays a critical role in producing the gases historically linked to mysterious glowing lights.

Along the way, we break down wetland ecology, decomposition without oxygen, methane production, and why these often-overlooked environments are vital for biodiversity, flood control, and climate regulation.

Plus, PJ debuts an original parody song, “Anaerobic Decay,” a science-themed twist inspired by “Party in the CIA” by Weird Al (which itself parodies “Party in the USA." Its like, Inception or something). It’s educational. It’s ecological. It’s unexpectedly catchy.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s really happening beneath the surface of a swamp — this episode gets into the mud.

#WillOTheWisp

#SwampScience

#WetlandEcology

#AnaerobicDecay

#SciencePodcast

#EducationalPodcast

#EnvironmentalScience

What is a Will O’ The Wisps — folklore, illusion, or explainable science?

In this episode, Lauren and PJ explore the history, mythology, and scientific explanations behind the mysterious lights known as Will O’ The Wisps. We break down where the legends came from, why people across cultures reported seeing them, and how modern science explains the phenomenon through chemistry, environmental conditions, and human perception.

Before diving into the main topic, PJ shares a quick story about his recent cruise to the Bahamas — which, despite expectations, took place during some of the coldest weather the islands have ever experienced, because his luck is well… unfortunately consistent.

In this episode, we try to separate myth from reality so you can decide if its a paranormal phenomenon or something with a perfectly good scientific explanation.

#WillOTheWisp

#Science

#Folklore

#STEM

The glow-up continues.

In Part 2 of our bioluminescence series, Lauren and PJ Do Science dive into the weird, wonderful, and sometimes downright adorable creatures that produce their own light. From the deep sea to the forest floor, we explore how and why animals glow, what bioluminescence is used for in the wild, and why evolution keeps reaching for light as a solution.

This episode also features the premiere of “Luminating,” an original song inspired by bioluminescence — because sometimes the best way to understand science is to sing about it.

If you like science that’s curious, cozy, a little musical, and very glowy, this one’s for you.

#Bioluminescence

#SciencePodcast

#Biology

#NatureScience

#STEM