Erupting volcanoes spew molten lava, gas and rocks up into the air. But just how high can the lava go and how do eruptions work? That’s what eight-year-old Thomas from Leeds in the UK wanted to know.

Thomas joined our host Eloise to put his question to volcanologist Martin Mangler from the University of Southampton.

If you'd like to join in with the experiment in this episode, you'll need some bicarbonate of soda, some vinegar, honey, a bottle or mug and a straw, to hand.

A podcast from The Conversation, the independent not-for-profit news organisation that brings you news and analysis straight from academic experts. Full credits available here.

This season is supported by the University of Southampton in the UK, a world-leading research-intensive university with a global network of international students and campuses in Malaysia and Delhi.

Are you a curious kid with a question? Pop it in an email, or record it and send us the audio to curiouskids@theconversation.com.

• We’ve discovered how diamonds make their way to the surface and it may tell us where to find them
• What causes volcanoes to erupt?
• Curious Kids: How can we tell when a volcano is going to erupt?

It’s a question big enough to make your head spin! Eight-year-old Ellie from Atlanta, Georgia, wants to know what came before the Big Bang?

Ellie joins our host Eloise to delve into the origins of our universe with astronomer Michael Lam from Rochester Institute of Technology.

If you'd like to join in with the experiment in this episode, make sure you have a balloon and a pen on hand while you listen.

A podcast from The Conversation, the independent not-for-profit news organisation that brings you news and analysis straight from academic experts. Full credits available here.

This season is supported by the University of Southampton in the UK, a world-leading research-intensive university with a global network of international students and campuses in Malaysia and Delhi.

Are you a curious kid with a question? Pop it in an email, or record it and send us the audio to curiouskids@theconversation.com.

• Curious Kids: how likely is it that there are parallel universes and other Earths?
• Curious Kids: how are galaxies formed?
• How could an explosive Big Bang be the birth of our universe?
• What if the Big Bang wasn’t the beginning? Our research suggests it may have taken place inside a black hole

Have you ever stayed in the bath or swimming pool for ages and noticed that your fingers and toes went all wrinkly? Well, 11-year-old Maya from London wanted to know why that happens.

She joins host Eloise to get the answer from biologist Tom Smulders from Newcastle University on the first episode of our second season! There’s an experiment in this episode which you can try out too while you listen. If you want to join in, prepare a bowl of warm water.

A podcast from The Conversation, the independent not-for-profit news organisation that brings you news and analysis straight from academic experts. Full credits available here.

This season is supported by the University of Southampton in the UK, a world-leading research-intensive university with a global network of international students and campuses in Malaysia and Delhi.

Are you a curious kid with a question? Pop it in an email, or record it and send us the audio to curiouskids@theconversation.com.