Adam Ruben and his friends create a Rube Goldberg machine for a school project, and science writer Leah Shaffer discovers an interesting way to manage her chronic illness -- hookworms.

Saad Sarwana tries to juggle careers in physics and comedy, and Jean Zarate is torn between science and music until a tragic event brings both into perspective.

Astrophysicist Jesse Shanahan tries to uncover the mysteries behind both black holes and her own chronic pain, and comedian Sarah Pearl checks into a psychiatric hospital after having suicidal thoughts.

Rattled by a recent heartbreak, neuroscientist Prabarna Ganguly makes a mistake in the lab, and marine ecologist Kirsten Grorud-Colvert has an unexpected encounter with a hammerhead shark. 

Biochemist Melanie McConnell encounters unexpected resistance when she tests an experimental cancer treatment, and rape survivor Mo Culberson helps train doctors to treat other rape survivors.

Political scientist Ethan Hollander interviews a Nazi war criminal, and as a graduate student, Cather Simpson is startled when her adviser lies about their work.

Paleontologist David Evans starts to feel defeated after three days of searching fruitlessly for fossils, and when cave geologist Gabriela Marks Serrato develops fibromyalgia, exploring caves becomes a challenge.

Kate Marvel's dream of being a genius inspires her to study astrophysics at Cambridge, and when Joe Normandin begins to question his sexuality as a teenager, he turns to neuroscience for help.

Lew Lefton tries to succeed as both a math professor and a math comedian, and Vanessa Vakharia faces her first day as student teacher of a math class.

Keoni Mahelona leaves his home in Hawaii in pursuit of science, and after growing up wealthy, Chuck Collins's thinking is transformed by his work with mobile home park tenants.