Home Podcasts Orbit: Science for kids on the move!
Orbit: Science for kids on the move!

Orbit: Science for kids on the move!

Cumbre Kids 18 Episodes Aug 19, 2026

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

The turtle that dances for worms!
The turtle that dances for worms! Aug 19, 2026 1547 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?
How do baby bald eagles learn to fly? Aug 5, 2026 1636 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!
Ice Age clues frozen in mammoth poo! Jul 29, 2026 1740 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? ⚡
Why does welding create sparks? ⚡ Jul 21, 2026 1265 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?
How do tiny mussels clean our rivers? Jul 15, 2026 1650 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?
Why are alligator moms so awesome? Jul 8, 2026 1649 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?
Why do bison body-slam trees? Jul 1, 2026 1805 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!
The tortoise that saved the rabbit! Jun 24, 2026 1636 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!
Get ready for Wild Critters USA! Jun 24, 2026 72 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?
How does AC lower the temperature? Jun 16, 2026 1289 ❄️ 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?
What's in the eye of a hurricane? Jun 3, 2026 1448 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
Magma, volcanoes, and fossils! The incredible rock cycle May 27, 2026 1591 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

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