Earthquakes! For Kids!

Memorial Day Explained!

What do the Civil War, parking lots, and Memorial Day have in common?! We talk about all of them today on Hello From the Van. In this shorter holiday episode, we discuss the origins of the Memorial Day and it's close ties to the rich history of the United States.  A huge thank-you to The Wounded Warrior Project, The United States Archives, and PBS who had a wealth of reference knowledge critical to today's episode. (Links below).  US National Archives:  https://www.archives.gov/news/topics/memorial-day PBS, The Civil War with Ken Burns: https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-civil-war/timeline The Wounded Warrior Project: https://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/What-is-Memorial-Day-Facts-Meaning-and-History Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com

How To Write A Story

**SUMMER STORYWRITING RULES BELOW EPISODE DESCRIPTION** Aristotle wasn't just a philosopher, he was a playwright and scientist. This week we learn all about plot structure as explained in the Poetics. Using the story of The Three Little Pigs, we dive into what makes a compelling story. #hellofromthevan #educationalpodcast #aristotle #thepoetics #threeactstructure #3act #storywriting #storytime #threelittlepigs   SUMMER STORYWRITING GUIDELINES/RULES AND HOW TO SUBMIT: **Submissions Due June 18th, 2026** - Word count must be between 50-400 words. - Please follow the Aristotle Plot Structure. - Stories must be submitted by an adult, the child's parent/legal guardian. - Absolutely NO A.I. writing, illustrations, or content.   - Story subject and dialogue should be appropriate for all ages (swears etc will automatically be filtered by our software). - Open to ages 5-12 (Kindergarten through 4th Grade). Parents can type up story if child cannot write yet. - By submitting your child's story, you agree to it possibly being read in a future episode of Hello From the Van. All rights are retained by the child. We will not sell, distribute, or use the story beyond the future episode. LEGAL STUFF: - By submitting an Entry Form, each participant’s parent/legal guardian, on behalf of participant, agrees to be bound by the above Contest Rules. - Each participant’s parent/legal guardian, on behalf of the participant, agrees to release and hold Hello From the Van, and its representatives, subsidiaries, parent company, harmless from any and all damages, losses, claims and liabilities arising out of participation in the Contest. - Hello From the Van reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate, suspend or otherwise cancel the Contest at any time. **TO SUBMIT YOUR STORY:** Simply send a PDF (if typed) or picture of the handwritten story to HFTVStory@gmail.com Subject Line: Storywriting    JUDGING:  The judging criteria and percentages shall be scored and graded using a rubric based on the following criteria: Creative Expression Originality Storytelling/Plot Development PRIZE: There are no prizes, but chosen stories will be read and illustrated on a future episode of Hello From the Van. It's less of a traditional contest and more of a storywriting exercise for families.   Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com

What the Fox *Actually* Says...

Is the Fox a feline or a canine, a cat or a dog?? This week we learn all about this amazing animal and it's impact (for better or for worse) all across the world. And yes, we do answer the question, "What does the fox say?".  #educationalpodcast #familyfriendlypodcast #homeschoolingfun #homeschoollesson #sciencelesson #taxonomy #foxes #foxesofinstagram  This week's Works Cited:  Wildland's Conservancy, "15 WILD Fox Facts That Might Amaze You".  National Geographic Kids, "All About the Fox".  Encyclopedia Brittanica, "Fox: Species, Habitat, Behavior, Facts".  Macdonald, David W.; Sillero-Zubiri, Claudio, eds. (2004). The biology and conservation of wild canids. Lloyd, H.G. (1981). The red fox (2. impr. ed.). London: Batsford. p. 21 Ginsburg, Joshua Ross and David Whyte MacDonald. Foxes, Wolves, Jackals, and Dogs Archived Bostanci, A. (2005). "A Devil of a Disease". Science "European Red Foxes". Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. 9 December 2025.  Green, Michael (3 July 2014). "Little fox, big problem". The Ag Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com

Equinox and Solstice Explained

Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com

Magical Mutating Cells: CANCER! Explained.

In this episode we take a clinical overview of cancer, what it is, why it happens, and it's different stages.  This is a great episode is a great place for families to start when facing rouge mutating cells.  #cancerexplained #hellofromthevan #cancerforkids #educationalpodcast #sciencepodcast   Episode Resources:  Kids Health . org, "Kids and Cancer". Britannica Kids, "Cancer" entry.  Worldwide Cancer Research, "Cancer Stages and Grades Explained...", Sept 30, 2025. Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com