Orbit: Science for kids on the move!

How does AC lower the temperature? (AC technician)

❄️ Do air conditioners actually make cold air? How was air conditioning invented? And what does an HVAC technician do all day? In this episode, HVAC instructor John Vernon helps Orbiters discover the surprising science behind air conditioning. Learn how refrigerant carries heat, why compressors are so important, and how air conditioning changed homes, schools, hospitals, and cities around the world. This episode is part of our Cool Jobs series with Level Up Texas and Texas A&M University's Office for Youth Engagement. ➡️Level-Up Texas: https://tx.ag/cooljobs [https://tx.ag/cooljobs ] ➡️ Skillpoint Alliance (https://skillpointalliance.org/ [https://skillpointalliance.org/]), a nonprofit organization that helps adults prepare for skilled trades careers through hands-on training programs. 💬 Submit your kids' questions! https://www.cumbrekids.org/questions [https://www.cumbrekids.org/questions] 🖍️ Coloring pages for each episode! https://www.cumbrekids.org/color-along [https://www.cumbrekids.org/color-along] 💛 Support this podcast by joining The Curious Club: https://www.cumbrekids.org/curious-club [https://www.cumbrekids.org/curious-club] Orbit Family Conversation Starters! * If you could invent something to make life more comfortable, what would it do? * Would you enjoy a job where you solve puzzles and fix machines? Why or why not? Continue learning as a family! * Find every vent, thermostat, fan, refrigerator, freezer, and cooling system in your home. * Draw a picture showing how heat moves from inside a house to outside through an air conditioner. * Watch a family-friendly video about how air conditioners work. 🎧 More podcasts by Cumbre Kids in English and Spanish: https://www.cumbrekids.org [https://www.cumbrekids.org] 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A message for parents about our values: https://www.cumbrekids.org/our-values [https://www.cumbrekids.org/our-values]

What's in the eye of a hurricane?

Ever wonder how hurricanes form, why they spin, or why some storms get names? Join Rob, Hank, and cohost Milam as we explore the wild science of hurricanes with meteorologist Steve LaVoie from the National Weather Service!  💬 Submit your kids' questions for episodes! ⁠⁠⁠www.cumbrekids.org/questions⁠⁠⁠ [http://www.cumbrekids.org/questions%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0]  Special Middle School episode extra: YouTube [https://youtu.be/I_EnjfzBlMI] After listening: 3 questions for your family: * What did you learn about hurricanes? * Steve was very interested in weather when he was a kid. Do you have one favorite topic, like Steve, or do you enjoy learning about many topics? * If you could name the next hurricane, what would you name it and why? Keep learning! Activities based in this episode:  * Create your severe weather plan! https://www.weather.gov/ama/severesafetyplan [https://www.weather.gov/ama/severesafetyplan]  * See if your name is on the Hurricane rotation! https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml [https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml] * Print a Hurricane Tracking chart: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracking_charts.shtml [https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracking_charts.shtml]  * NOAA Jetstream, an online school for weather:  https://www.noaa.gov/jetstream [https://www.noaa.gov/jetstream]  * Hurricane hazards video series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwcHGAEiieU&list=PLGSuh25eUsgFsswOq3DVrhg3lzBylEMSt [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwcHGAEiieU&list=PLGSuh25eUsgFsswOq3DVrhg3lzBylEMSt]  * Learn about the Coriolis effect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIyBpi7B-dE [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIyBpi7B-dE]  💛 Support this podcast by joining The Curious Club: LINK [https://www.cumbrekids.org/curious-club] 🎧 More podcasts by Cumbre Kids in English and Spanish: ⁠⁠Learn more⁠⁠ [https://www.cumbrekids.org] 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A message for parents about our values: ⁠⁠LINK [https://www.cumbrekids.org/our-values] This work was funded by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM)-Gulf Research Program, Grant # SCON-10001601 (PI: Ayça K. Fackler, Co-PI: Lourdes Cardozo-Gaibisso). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASEM.

Magma, volcanoes, and fossils! The incredible rock cycle

Ever wondered if rocks can melt like cheese, explode out of volcanoes, or travel to the bottom of the ocean? Join Rob, Hank, and special cohost Kenji as we follow the incredible adventure of Walter the Rock through the rock cycle with geoscientist Dr. Lina Pérez-Angel from Brown University and the Geological Society of America. Together, we discover how rocks form, melt into magma, cool into igneous rocks, break into sediments, and transform deep underground over millions of years. ➡️ This episode is possible thanks to the Geological Society of America ➡️ Learn more about Dr. Lina’s science communication work with GeoChat: ⁠LINK [https://www.instagram.com/geolchat/ ] Orbit Family Conversation Starters! 1. If you could watch one part of the rock cycle in real life, which would you choose? 2. Why do you think rocks can look and feel so different from each other? 3. What’s the coolest rock or crystal you’ve ever found? Continue learning as a family! * Visit a park, beach, or trail and compare different rocks you find together. * Start a small family rock collection and sort rocks by color, texture, or shape. * Look around your home for granite or marble and talk about how those rocks formed. * Learn more about volcanoes and the rock cycle with books or videos from your library. ❓ Submit questions for upcoming episodes: LINK [https://⁠www.cumbrekids.org/questions] 💖 Support this podcast by joining our Curios Club: ⁠LINK [https://www.cumbrekids.org/curious-club] 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A message for parents about our values: LINK [⁠⁠⁠https://www.cumbrekids.org/our-values] 🎧 Orbit is produced by Cumbre Kids: ⁠www.cumbrekids.org [https://www.cumbrekids.org]

Whoosh! How fast are flash floods?

Ever wonder what exactly is a flash flood? Are all floods flash floods? We have a fascinating episode featuring Nichole Cronce, a hydrologist from the National Weather Service. Join Rob, Hank and Sam as we learn not only about the science of floods, but how to stay safe when the storms get strong or the river starts running high! * Episode Extra for middle school: LINK [https://youtu.be/qwVXwFCF3sg] Three questions for families to discuss: 1. How will we know if a flood might happen? 2. Where is a safe place we can go if there is flooding? 3. What should we bring with us to stay safe if we need to leave quickly? NOAA's Jetsteam resources for families: * The Hydrologic Cycle - Great for younger audiences and includes several activities to demonstrate the concepts. (LINK [https://www.noaa.gov/jetstream/atmosphere/hydro]) * Flash Floods - more info about flash floods from NOAA (LINK [https://www.noaa.gov/jetstream/thunderstorms/flood]) * River Forecast Centers - A more comprehensive understanding of river forecasting (LINK [https://www.noaa.gov/jetstream/rfcs]) 💬 Submit your kids' questions! ⁠⁠www.cumbrekids.org/questions⁠⁠ [https://www.cumbrekids.org/questions] 💛 Support this podcast by joining The Curious Club: ⁠⁠LINK⁠⁠ [https://www.cumbrekids.org/curious-club] 🎧 More podcasts by Cumbre Kids: ⁠⁠Learn more⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/cumbrekidspods] 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A message for parents about our values: ⁠⁠LINK [https://bit.ly/3LqBmJv] --- This work was funded by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM)-Gulf Research Program, Grant # SCON-10001601 (PI: Ayça K. Fackler, Co-PI: Lourdes Cardozo-Gaibisso). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASEM.

How ultrasound 'sees' inside the body (Cardiac sonographer)

This week, we dive beneath the surface - exploring the human heart not through sight, but through sound. Joined by Victoria Rivera, a cardiac sonographer at Texas Children’s Hospital, we uncover the fascinating world of sonography and echolocation. Discover how sound waves reveal the inner workings of the heart, and get an inside look at one of the most incredible careers in modern medicine. ➡️ Level-Up Texas: ⁠More Info⁠ [https://youthengagement.tamu.edu/level-up-texas/index.html] ➡️ Texas Children's Hospital: https://www.texaschildrens.org [https://www.texaschildrens.org] 💬 Submit your kids' questions! ⁠www.cumbrekids.org/questions⁠ [https://www.cumbrekids.org/questions] 💛 Support this podcast by joining The Curious Club: ⁠LINK⁠ [https://www.cumbrekids.org/curious-club] 🎙️ This episode is available in Spanish on our sister podcast, ⁠Cráneo: Ciencia para niños curiosos⁠ [https://linktr.ee/craneociencia] 🎧 More podcasts by Cumbre Kids: ⁠Learn more⁠ [https://linktr.ee/cumbrekidspods] 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A message for parents about our values: ⁠LINK [https://bit.ly/3LqBmJv]