Orbit: Science for kids on the move!
Orbit is a science podcast for kids ages 3–11 that brings families together around curiosity. Each episode invites scientists from museums, universities, and zoos to answer fun and fascinating questions submitted by children from around the world. The show encourages families to learn together by following kids' natural curiosity. Listeners can submit their own questions via the Cumbre Kids website.
Episodes
How strong was a T. rex bite!?
We're time traveling this week to get to know one of the most famous wild critters to have *ever* roamed the Earth! We're going back 70 million years to meet the infamous T. rex, the apex predator with an astoundingly powerful bite, huge teeth, ginormous legs, and ... surprisingly small arms? We're joined by an amazing paleontologist, perfect to teach us all about the T. rex and age
Sea otters: Superheroes of kelp forests!
Sea otters aren't just adorable! They're a critically important keystone species for a fascinating underwater ecosystem - kelp forests!In this episode of the Wild Critters series, we're joined by marine biologist and sea otter expert Leilani Konrad from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, who teaches us about sea otters, the relationship with kelp and sea urchins, how they are on the of the
The race to save 3 mountain lion cubs!
Three mountain lion cubs were left orphaned in the California wilderness, and a team of scientists raced to find them before it was too late! In this episode of the Wild Critters USA series on Orbit, families meet wildlife ambassador Marco Wendt from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. We learn about the incredibly versatile mountain lion - which can be found from Canada all the way down to Argen
How tiny corals build underwater cities!
Did you know a coral reef, one of the largest structures ever built by a living creature, is made by an animal smaller than a grain of rice!? And that corals aren't plants or rocks at all, but tiny animals related to jellyfish and sea anemones!?In this episode, marine scientist Dr. Mike Henley from the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute joins Orbit to explore t
A monarch butterfly's 3,000-mile journey!
Ever heard of the SUPER GENERATION of the monarch butterfly!? This little insect goes on one of the most incredible journeys in the whole animal kingdom! To learn more, we're joined in this episode by Dr. Dorothy Borowy, an ecologist with the U.S. National Park Service! We also have a new friend! Margaret joins Orbit to cohost and help us bring a chrysalis to life for families! ➡️ Part of th
The turtle that dances for worms!
Ever wonder how a turtle can trick worms into coming out of the ground just by dancing?! Or how scientists can tell a turtle's age just by looking at its shell?!We're continuing the Wild Critters series to learn all about wood turtles with turtle biologist Chris Polinski from the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute! Along the way, learn why mama wood turtle
How do baby bald eagles learn to fly?
Ever wonder how a fluffy baby bald eagle grows into the majestic bald eagles that soar through the sky!? Or why bald eagles build giant nests that can weigh as a pickup truck!?We're continuing the Wild Critters series to learn all about bald eagles with eagle biologist Ulgonda Dunlevy from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service! Along the way, learn why bald eagles almost disappeared in the 1960s
Ice Age clues frozen in mammoth poo!
Did you know a giant, dried-out pile of mammoth poop can survive for over 20,000 years!? And still hold the seeds, pollen, and even parasite eggs trapped inside it! Scientists call it "mummified," and it might be the ultimate Ice Age time capsule! This week, we travel to Waco Mammoth National Monument in Texas with Justin Tweet, paleontologist with the U.S. National Park Service! ➡️ Part
Why does welding create sparks? ⚡
Did you know the welding arc can get even hotter than the surface of the Sun? 🔥 This week, we meet Rudy Rodriguez, a welding instructor at Weimar High School in Weimar, Texas. Together, we discover how welders use heat to join metal together, why they wear special helmets, what causes those bright sparks, and how welding helps build everything from playgrounds and roller coasters to bridges, airpl
How do tiny mussels clean our rivers?
Who cleans a river? It turns out some of the hardest workers are animals you may have never heard of: freshwater mussels. Join Tyler Hern from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as we discover how these amazing animals help keep rivers healthy, how baby mussels hitch rides on fish, and why scientists are working hard to protect them.➡️ Part of the Wild Critters USA series, created with PBS Nature
Why are alligator moms so awesome?
Did you know that American alligator moms build nests, guard their eggs, carry their babies to the water, and come running when their little ones call for help? They might just be contenders for Wild Critter Mom of the Year!This week, we travel to Florida's Everglades National Park with Yvette Cano, director of education at Everglades National Park!➡️ Part of the Wild Critters USA series, cre
Why do bison body-slam trees?
Did you know that American bison help prevent grasslands from turning into forests by body-slamming young trees? And that they once lived in herds so enormous they stretched all the way to the horizon?This week, we travel to the grasslands of Montana with Dr. Andy Boyce, a research ecologist at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Discover why bison live in herds
The tortoise that saved the rabbit!
Did you know a single Mojave Desert tortoise burrow can become a shelter for rattlesnakes, owls, kangaroo rats, and many other desert animals? This week, we explore the Mojave Desert with wildlife biologist Brianna Fogel from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Learn how desert tortoises survive in one of North America's harshest environments, why they spend so much time underground, and why
Get ready for Wild Critters USA!
Discover the wild side of America with Orbit’s brand-new Wild Critters USA series! Join us as wildlife experts from the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute answer real questions from curious kids about alligators, bald eagles, desert tortoises, bison, and more. Perfect for summer road trips, family adventures
How does AC lower the temperature?
❄️ 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
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! Special Middle School episode extra: YouTubeFamily conversation starter: What did you learn about hurricanes?Steve was very interested in weather when he was a kid. Do you have
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? Today, 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. We'll discover how rocks form, melt into magma, cool into igneous rocks, break into sediments, and tra
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: LINKThree questions for families to
How ultrasound 'sees' inside the body
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.➡️ Leve
Why is it hard to make good choices?
If you *choose* to listen to this episode, you’ll learn all about the science of making decisions! 🧠✨ We’re joined by Dr. Marco Palma from the Texas A&M Human Behavior Laboratory, as we seek to understand how the brain makes decisions, why we sometimes make bad decisions, and the biology of how the body reacts when we’re faced with decisions! This episode is part of the “Cool Jobs for Curious
Bees: The great pollinators!
🐝 Earth Day activities for families: LINKEver watched bees buzzing around and thought, what are they actually up to? 🐝🌼 In this super exciting episode, we dive into the tiny (but mighty!) world of bees and discover how they help plants grow, flowers bloom, and even the food we eat! We’re joined by the amazing Dr. Laura Gonzalez Mozo from the American Museum of Natural History, who answers your cu
How do satellites stay in orbit?
This week, we orbiters learn about orbiting! 🚀 This episode dives into the science and technology of machines in outer space, zooming around the Earth! Alongside Joelle Romeu, an aerospace engineer with Boeing Company, we learn what satellites are, how they impact our life on Earth, and about the incredible job of Aerospace Engineers! 🌍This episode is part of the “Cool Jobs for Curious Kids” serie
How zoos care for animals!
This week we're visiting the incredible San Antonio Zoo in San Antonio, Texas 🦁 to understand the inner workings of zoos! We're joined by Andreau Papadakis to learn why zoos exist, the role they play in protecting species through breeding and rehabilitation programs 🐢, and the different jobs and education paths that could lead curious Orbiters to work at a zoo someday!This episode is par
Drones and the future of rangelands
Ever wonder how drones can help scientists take care of wide open spaces? What do they look for from the sky and how does that help wildlife on the ground? 🦌This week on Orbit, we’re joined by Dr. Humberto Perotto from the Texas A&M Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management! He answers kids’ questions about how drones are used to monitor plant health, track animals, map change
What’s a cavity?
Ever wonder what cavities are or how they form? 🦷 Or maybe why we have baby teeth? Or if the tooth fairy travels to different countries? This week we're joined by Prof. Ariana Vargas from the Texas A&M College of Dentistry! We explore the science of teeth, and amazing jobs like dental hygienists, dentists and dental assistants!This episode is part of the "Cool Jobs for Curious Kids&q
The building blocks of the universe!
Orbiters! Today we’re exploring atoms - the tiny building blocks of the universe! We’ll discover what atoms are, what they’re made of, where they’re found, how scientists discovered them, and more (including how many atoms are in a blue whale!).We’re joined by PhD scientist and chemical engineer Dr. Fernanda Sulantay-Vargas from Yale University! Dr. Fernanda is also a science communicator, active
Sedimentary Rocks: Nature's time machines!
Did you know that studying rocks today can teach us about the Earth millions of years ago!? We're joined by an incredible geoscientist - Dr. Lina Perez-Angel, from Brown University - to explore the incredible world of Sedimentary Rocks, including what they're made of, how they form, and how scientists study them!This episode was supported in part by the National Science Foundation Grant
Why do we dream?
Ever wonder what happens in your brain while we sleep? Or why we need to sleep at all? In this episode, Dr. Daniel Davila-Williams - a pediatric neurologist from Texas Children's Hospital - joins Orbit to discuss the science of sleep! 🌐 Website for Dr. Davila-Williams: LINK🎙️ This episode is also available in Spanish on our sister podcast, Cráneo: Ciencia para niños curiosos. Orbit links💬 Sub
Mammal teeth: Elephants, whales, humans and more!
🦷 Why do lions have sharp teeth? Why do whales have different teeth than humans? And how can scientists learn about animals that lived millions of years ago just by studying their teeth?In this episode, paleontologist Dr. Silvia Pineda-Munoz helps Orbiters explore the fascinating world of mammal teeth. Discover what makes an animal a mammal, why different animals have different kinds of teeth, and
The Secret Life of Plants
🌱 Plants are all around us! They are green science in action! We're joined in this episode by Charlie from the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami, Florida, USA! Listen with your little ones and learn all about the parts of plants, photosynthesis, life, and much more!🎙️ This episode is also available in Spanish on our sister podcast, Cráneo: Ciencia para niños curiosos. Orbit links💬 S
Giant Pacific Octopus: 8 arms and 9 brains!
The Giant Pacific Octopus is a true legend of the oceans: Able to open jars, solve puzzles, spray ink, change colors and so much more! 🐙🤯In this episode, we're joined by marine biologist René Carbajal from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, who shares incredible facts and stories about these mysterious (and super cool!) creatures.🐟 Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch - to choose environmentally susta
Titanoboa: The largest snake that ever lived
A prehistoric snake that lived 60 million years ago ,was as long as a school bus and weighed as much as 100 bicycles? Sounds interesting! 🤯 We're joined in this episode by Dr. Carlos Jaramillo, from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (info)🌴. Orbit links💬 Submit your kids' questions! Click here to get started 💛 Support this podcast by joining The Curious Club 🖍️ Episode coloring
Trailer: Get to know Orbit!
Join Rob and Milam as they explore science with experts! Featuring questions submitted by real children and families!Why parents love podcasts by Cumbre Kids: 🎧 Designed for parents and kids to enjoy together🚀 Inspires children’s interest in science and STEM careers🗣️ Boosts vocabulary and language development🌍 Serves as a bilingual resource for language learning (see below)🤸 Includes interactive
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