Hello From the Van

To help introduce our new series, "5 Minutes Smarter", we'll be releasing three smaller episodes this week! In this first installment, we're talking about what it takes for a person to be happy and healthy both in their body and their mind.  Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan...

In this July 4th episode, we explore the history of National Anthems from around the world! Where they came from, why we have them, and how they impact nations around the world.  It's a short one this week, but we'll be back with our regular longer episode after the holiday.  SOURCES:  One song under Heaven: A history of China’s national anthems, "A survey of nearly 150 years of Chi...

If you live in the Western Hemisphere (North or South America) this episode is for you! We're talking about hummingbird conservation and how to help out your local hummingbird population. In this episode we'll talk about what hummingbirds need to survive, their life cycle, and how to support these incredible pollinators!  HUMMINGBIRD FOOD RECIPE: 1 cup white table sugar (Do NOT use honey...

Did you know that not all color blindness is the same? In this episode we talk about the different types of color vision deficiency, how color blindness effects everyday life, and signs to look out for if you suspect a loved one is color blind.  A HUGE thank-you to the organization Colour Blind Awareness. They were a wealth of knowledge in researching this episode!  Sources: Colour Blind Awareness...

In this episode we talk about the science of glass and the difference between glass that shatters into pieces and glass that crumbles. It's a SCIENCE EPISODE of Hello From the Van! Sources:  SG Glass Manufacturers, "The History of Tempered Glass."  https://www.sggglassmanufacturer. com/news/The-history-of-tempered-glass.html Invent . Org, "Harold McMaster".  https://www.in...

I recently took my kids on a field trip to Dana Point, California to visit the tide pools at low tide. That field trip led to a lot of questions from the kids and from me! In this episode we talk about why tides happen, how long humans have known about it, and the effect of tides on humans for thousands of years.  SOURCES:  Encyclopedia Brittanica Kids, "Tides". https://kids.britannica.c...

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 criti...

** 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 #storyti...

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:...

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

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&q...

This week we dive deeper into natural disasters and explore Earthquakes! We answer the questions: - What causes earthquakes?  - How to prepare for an earthquake? and - What to do during and after an earthquake.  A HUGE Thank-you to this Weeks Educational Resources: US Geological Survey Website UC Berkeley Seismology  University of Utah Seismology  Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more e...

Cougar, Panther, Mountain Lion, Catamount, Red Tiger...it goes by a lot of names! But this week, we're just calling it the puma. Join us as we talk about this amazing cat and it's incredible life.  References:  Exposed Wildlife Conservancy, "Cougar Life Cycles". Mountainlion.org, "Evidence of a Lion's Presence", published 01/01/2010 Select Latin America. UK, &quo...

Wonder why kids and college students get a week-off of school around March and April each year? This week we research the answer!  #hellofromthevan #familyfriendlypodcast #familypodcast #education #homeschool #homeschoollesson  Citations/Works Cited  de Ridder-Symoens, Hilde: A History of the University in Europe: Volume 1, Universities in the Middle Ages, Cambridge University Press, 1992, ISBN 0-...

Is it a bee or a wasp? A hornet or a yellow jacket? Today we learn about the differences between all four, as well as which one is most likely to sting you. We finish the episode with family-friendly tips on how to support native pollinators.  For our visual podcast (same audio, with images that explain what you're hearing) check-out our youtube channel at Hello From the Van.  works https://w...

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? We don't know! But we do know a lot of other chicken facts! In this episode we're talking all about the modern chicken, how eggs get to grocery stores, and lots of other fun chicken fact. We round out the episode with some super fun chicken jokes.  Looking for a visual podcast? We're on Youtube! Same podcast but with fun visuals to illustrat...

Disclaimer: No actual bad words are used in this episode. We're family-friendly around here.  In this episode we discuss the history of foul language and how cultures change language through time. Parents, this is a great jumping off point for discussions of what is appropriate in your home and why.  Looking for more?? We have a visual podcast over on Youtube under Hello From the Van!  Stuck...

This week we tackle the philosophical question, "What makes a plant a weed??" It's a lesson in personal preference, lost knowledge, and ecology. Prefer a visual podcast? Each episode is also available on Youtube at Hello From the Van! SOURCE CITATIONS:  Escape of the invasives: Top six invasive plant species in the United States April 19, 2013 by Emily Grebenstein, https://www.si.ed...

Disasters, let's talk about them! This week we discuss the difference between different types of natural and environmental disasters and how to prepare for the worst. As always, this is done in a family-friendly and educational way.  Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com 

We've recently been plagued by the flu at the Faatz household, which has led to a lot of questions about emesis (vomit). In this episode we delicately talk around the subject, which animals can do it and which cannot, and why. For the queasy among us, please note that we do our best to handle this topic in the most sterile way possible.   Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educa...

I recently found myself on a fieldtrip without internet access...and realized I know next to nothing when it comes to butterflies and moths. Come with me as I learn more about these winged insects, their similarities, and their differences.  Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com...

It's the beginning of the Winter Olympics and we're feeling nostalgic over here at Hello From the Van. Join us this week for a brief history of the winter olympic games, followed by a ridiculous story time of my own skiing catastrophe.  Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVa...

In today's episode we explore the history of the Lego Group, legos, and the language surrounding them.  Note: lego vs legos is a very contentious topic apparently. If you find yourself raging about the conclusions discussed here, we gently remind you that this is a fun podcast intended for children. It's not that deep fam. -Mimi Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educationa...

Truth, Fact, Hoax, or Conspiracy? Today we talk about the definition of all four words, give examples of each, and discuss when to use them.  Parents-- worried we're talking about conspiracies? As always, we approach each topic from a politically neutral standpoint and provide you a jumping off point-- letting you take the discussion from there.  Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for mo...

Have you ever wondered how scientists go about gathering information? It's the Scientific Method and has been around for over 3,000 years! Today we talk about what it is, why it's important, and practice putting it into action with a fun game of Guess That Sound.  Want more exposure to the scientific method? Go to today's BONUS EPISODE where we play several more rounds of Guess That...