Explore every episode of the podcast Orbit: Science for kids on the move!
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
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| Titanoboa: The largest snake that ever lived | 15 Sep 2025 | 00:32:54 | |
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
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| Trailer: Get to know Orbit! | 14 Sep 2025 | 00:01:55 | |
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:
Orbit links
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| Giant Pacific Octopus: 8 arms and 9 brains! | 18 Sep 2025 | 00:30:02 | |
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 sustainable seafood for your family! Info Orbit links
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| The Secret Life of Plants | 28 Oct 2025 | 00:35:26 | |
🌱 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
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| Mammal teeth: Elephants, whales, humans and more! | 18 Nov 2025 | 00:31:22 | |
🦷 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 how fossil teeth help scientists unlock secrets from the past. ➡️ Featuring Dr. Silvia Pineda-Munoz, founder of Climate Ages, a project that connects stories from Earth's past with the environmental challenges we face today. Orbit links
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| Why do we dream? | 09 Dec 2025 | 00:31:53 | |
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
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| Sedimentary Rocks: Nature's time machines! | 13 Jan 2026 | 00:31:08 | |
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 2402100 from the Division of Earth Science. Orbit links
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| The building blocks of the universe! | 03 Feb 2026 | 00:23:31 | |
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 with the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), and the founder of InspiraSTEM, an organization that inspires and supports students from El Salvador in STEM. ➡️ The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE): Website ➡️ InspiraSTEM: Website Orbit links
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| What’s a cavity? | 17 Feb 2026 | 00:23:53 | |
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" series, in collaboration with LevelUp Texas, powered by Texas A&M University. ➡️ Level-Up Texas: More Info ➡️ Explore Cool Jobs in the classroom! K-5 classroom resources: https://bit.ly/cooljobs_resources ➡️ Expert guest: Prof. Ariana Vargas Orbit links
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| Drones and the future of rangelands | 03 Mar 2026 | 00:27:41 | |
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 changes across rangelands, and support conservation. This episode is part of the “Cool Jobs for Curious Kids” series, featuring STEM professionals responding to kids’ questions— a collaboration between LevelUp Texas and Cumbre Kids, powered by Texas A&M University. ➡️ Level-Up Texas: More Info ➡️ Explore Cool Jobs in the classroom! K-5 classroom resources: https://bit.ly/cooljobs_resources ➡️ Expert guest: Dr. Humberto Perotto Orbit links
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| How zoos care for animals! | 17 Mar 2026 | 00:26:08 | |
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 part of the “Cool Jobs for Curious Kids” series, featuring STEM professionals responding to kids’ questions, a collaboration between LevelUp Texas and Cumbre Kids, powered by Texas A&M University. ➡️ Level-Up Texas: More Info ➡️ Explore Cool Jobs in the classroom! K-5 classroom resources: https://bit.ly/cooljobs_resources ➡️ San Antonio Zoo: https://sazoo.org Orbit links
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| How do satellites stay in orbit? | 31 Mar 2026 | 00:32:22 | |
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” series, featuring STEM professionals responding to kids’ questions— a collaboration with LevelUp Texas, powered by Texas A&M University. ➡️ Level-Up Texas: More Info ➡️ Explore Cool Jobs in the classroom! K-5 classroom resources: https://bit.ly/cooljobs_resources ➡️ Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers: https://shpe.org/ Orbit links
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| Bees: The great pollinators! | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:37:36 | |
🐝 Earth Day activities for families: LINK Ever 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 curious questions ! 🐝 ✨ A special thanks to the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)! https://www.neefusa.org/ 🦖 American Museum of Natural History: https://www.amnh.org/ Orbit links
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| Why is it hard to make good choices? | 14 Apr 2026 | 00:28:04 | |
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 Kids” series, exploring 8 STEM careers and the science behind their jobs! This series is a collaboration with LevelUp Texas, powered by Texas A&M University. ➡️ Level-Up Texas: More Info ➡️ Explore Cool Jobs in the classroom! K-5 classroom resources: https://bit.ly/cooljobs_resources ➡️ Texas A&M Human Behavior Lab: https://hbl.tamu.edu/ Episode activities 🕒 10-10-10 decisions! When your family is thinking about a decision, talk about how this decision is going to make you feel in 10 minutes, in 10 days, and in 10 months! For example: “If I practice the piano today, I will probably feel pleased with myself in 10 minutes. In 10 days I might have learned something small and be happy about my progress. And in 10 months I might know several new songs!” 🛒 Grocery Store Economics! Next time you go to a grocery store, talk as a family about where things are in the store. For example: Where is the milk in the store and why? What is at ‘kid’ eye level and what is at ‘adult’ eye level? Orbit links
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| How ultrasound 'sees' inside the body | 28 Apr 2026 | 00:29:15 | |
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 ➡️ Explore Cool Jobs in the classroom! K-5 classroom resources: https://bit.ly/cooljobs_resources ➡️ Texas Children's Hospital: https://www.texaschildrens.org 💬 Submit your kids' questions! www.cumbrekids.org/questions Orbit links
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| Whoosh! How fast are flash floods? | 13 May 2026 | 00:27:26 | |
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!
Three questions for families to discuss:
NOAA's Jetsteam resources for families:
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. Orbit links
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| Magma, volcanoes, and fossils! The incredible rock cycle | 27 May 2026 | 00:26:31 | |
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 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 Orbit Family Conversation Starters!
Continue learning as a family!
Orbit links
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| What's in the eye of a hurricane? | 03 Jun 2026 | 00:24:08 | |
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: YouTube Family conversation starter:
Keep learning! Activities based in this episode:
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. Orbit links
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| The tortoise that saved the rabbit! | 24 Jun 2026 | 00:27:16 | |
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 scientists call them a keystone species that helps support an entire desert community. ➡️ Part of the Wild Critters USA series, created with PBS Nature and the National Wildlife Federation ➡️ Learn more about desert wildlife with Ranger Rick Magazine: https://rangerrick.org/ ➡️ Learn more about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: https://www.fws.gov/ Orbit Family Conversation Starters!
Continue learning as a family!
Orbit links
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| Get ready for Wild Critters USA! | 24 Jun 2026 | 00:01:12 | |
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, and screen-free learning for kids ages 3–11. ➡️ A special summer series celebrating America’s wildlife in partnership with PBS Nature and the National Wildlife Federation ➡️ Explore more with National Wildlife Federation's Ranger Rick Magazine: https://rangerrick.org/ ➡️ Learn more about PBS Nature: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/ Orbit links
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| How does AC lower the temperature? | 16 Jun 2026 | 00:21:29 | |
❄️ 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 ➡️ Explore Cool Jobs in the classroom! K-5 classroom resources: https://bit.ly/cooljobs_resources ➡️ Skillpoint Alliance (https://skillpointalliance.org/), a nonprofit organization that helps adults prepare for skilled trades careers through hands-on training programs. Orbit Family Conversation Starter: If you could invent something to make life more comfortable, what would it do? Continue learning as a family!
Orbit links
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| Why do bison body-slam trees? | 01 Jul 2026 | 00:30:05 | |
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, how they defend themselves from predators, and why scientists call them a keystone species. Along the way, you'll learn how these giant mammals help shape entire grassland ecosystems simply by grazing, digging, dust bathing, and being itchy! ➡️ Part of the Wild Critters USA series, created with PBS Nature and the National Wildlife Federation https://linktr.ee/wildcritters ➡️ Learn more about American bison from the Smithsonian National Zoo: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/american-bison Orbit Family Conversation Starters!
Continue learning as a family!
➡️ Explore the Smithsonian's Great Plains Science Program: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/conservation/great-plains-science ➡️ Visit the Smithsonian's "Bison: Standing Strong" exhibit: https://naturalhistory.si.edu/exhibits/bison-standing-strong ➡️ Learn more about American Prairie and bison conservation: https://americanprairie.org/ Orbit links
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| Why are alligator moms so awesome? | 08 Jul 2026 | 00:27:29 | |
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, created with PBS Nature and the National Wildlife Federation ➡️ Learn more about Everglades National Park: https://www.nps.gov/ever ➡️ Ranger Rick magazine from the National Wildlife Federation: https://rangerrick.org Orbit Family Conversation Starters!
Continue learning as a family!
Orbit links
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| How do tiny mussels clean our rivers? | 15 Jul 2026 | 00:27:30 | |
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 and the National Wildlife Federation ➡️ Learn more about freshwater ecosystems with Ranger Rick Magazine: https://rangerrick.org/ ➡️ Learn more about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: https://www.fws.gov/ Orbit Family Conversation Starters!
Continue Learning as a Family!
Orbit links
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| Ice Age clues frozen in mammoth poo! | 29 Jul 2026 | 00:29:00 | |
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 of the Wild Critters USA series, created with PBS Nature and the National Wildlife Federation ➡️ Learn more about Waco Mammoth National Monument: https://www.nps.gov/waco/index.htm ➡️ Ranger Rick magazine from the National Wildlife Federation: https://rangerrick.org Orbit Family Conversation Starters! If you found footprints, bones, hair, and poop in a cave, which one would you want to investigate first, and why? Continue Learning as a Family! Look up what kind of Ice Age animals once lived in your own area or country! Many places around the world had their own giant mammoths, sloths, or saber-toothed cats.
Orbit links
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| Why does welding create sparks? ⚡ | 21 Jul 2026 | 00:21:05 | |
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, airplanes, and even rockets! ➡️ Part of the Cool Jobs for Curious Kids series, made possible by Level Up Texas and the Texas A&M Office for Youth Engagement https://tx.ag/cooljobs ➡️ Explore Cool Jobs in the classroom! K-5 classroom resources: https://bit.ly/cooljobs_resources Orbit Family Conversation Starters!
Continue learning as a family!
Orbit links
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| How do baby bald eagles learn to fly? | 05 Aug 2026 | 00:27:16 | |
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, and how people worked together to help their population recover! ➡️ Part of the Wild Critters series, created with PBS Nature and the National Wildlife Federation ➡️ Learn more about endangered species with Ranger Rick Magazine: https://rangerrick.org/ ➡️ Learn more about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: https://www.fws.gov/ Orbit Family Conversation Starters: What do you think it would feel like to be a fledgling learning to fly for the very first time? Continue learning as a family! See how many details you can spot on something four feet away versus twenty feet away, like an eagle would!
Orbit links
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| A monarch butterfly's 3,000-mile journey! | 26 Aug 2026 | 00:29:10 | |
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 the Wild Critters series, created with PBS Nature and the National Wildlife Federation ➡️ Learn more about wildlife with Ranger Rick Magazine: https://rangerrick.org/ ➡️ Milkweed and Monarch resources from the National Wildlife Federation: https://bit.ly/4qxUsO5 Orbit Family Conversation Starters: If you could make a migration like a monarch butterfly, where would you go and why? Continue learning as a family: Continue learning about milkweed and monarch butterflies! Plant milkweed in your garden or another species of native plant to help local pollinators!
Orbit links
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| The turtle that dances for worms! | 19 Aug 2026 | 00:25:47 | |
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 turtles travel for miles to lay their eggs, and exactly what to do if you're lucky enough to spot one in the wild! ➡️ Part of the Wild Critters series, created with PBS Nature and the National Wildlife Federation Orbit Family Conversation Starters: Why do you think stomping on the ground to imitate rain tricks worms into coming to the surface? Continue learning as a family: Go to a local park as a family and close your eyes and listen. What sounds do you hear that are "nature sounds" and what sounds are "people sounds?" Talk about what turtles like Wanda must think!
Orbit links
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