REACH A Space Podcast for Kids

Latest Episodes:

First Canadian to Walk in Space with Col. Chris Hadfield and Kevin Vidal (REBROADCAST) Nov 22, 2022

Show notes

This week the REACH team is over the moon to have a longform sit-down with renowned author, retired astronaut, and the first Canadian to walk in space, Col. Chris Hadfield. Then we get a visit from the icy moon of Jupiter, Europa (the great Kevin Vidal!), - all on this episode of REACH.

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to Col. Chris Hadfield, renowned author and retired astronaut, and the first Canadian to walk in space. To purchase a copy of The Apollo Murders and The Darkest Dark, go to https://chrishadfield.ca/books/.

Col. Chris Hadfield photo credit: Shye Klein.

Col. Chris Hadfield online:

Website: www.chrishadfield.ca

Twitter: @Cmdr_Hadfield

Facebook: @AstronautChrisHadfield

Instagram: @colchrishadfield

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChrisHadfieldAstronaut

TikTok: @cmdr_hadfield

Col. Chris Hadfield plays “Space Oddity” by David Bowie from the ISS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaOC9danxNo

Europa was voiced by the great Kevin Vidal. You can catch Kevin on Working Moms, Strays, and Odd Squad: The Movie.

Kevin Vidal online:

Instagram: @notkevinvidal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevinvidalactor

Twitter: @notkevinvidal

Special thanks to Shannon Abbott, Cheryl-Ann Horrocks, Ashley Comeau, Janet Davidson-Marshall, and our REACH learning community.

All about Europa:

https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/moons/jupiter-moons/europa/overview/

More about The Peepkins:

Anna Faris, Maulik Pancholy, and Diedrich Bader star in this fully scripted kids story podcast. With original songs this show is perfect for screen-free listening for the whole family — just in time for the holidays. In the quaint, midwestern-esque town of Coopmore Ridge live an offbeat and somewhat insecure subspecies of the rural yellowfowl, Gallus Gallus-McDigitus Domesticus, otherwise known as Peepkins! Join eccentric, antenna wearing Commander Hatch (ANNA FARIS) along with her fearful but determined best friend Noah (MAULIK PANCHOLY) as they go on adventures and lift the town’s spirits all while trying to melt the icy heart of the menacing villain Baron Von Torius (DIEDRICH BADER). While they may be small, their emotions are big and ideas must be heard.

From QCODE, the makers Hank the Cowdog with Matthew McConaughey and Cupid with Diego Boneta. All 10 episodes will be available for free, but QCODE+ subscribers get early, uninterrupted access to new episodes. Learn more at https://qcodemedia.com/qcodeplus.

REACHing Out: ALIENS with author Joalda Morancy Oct 18, 2022

Show notes

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week we have a special episode as author and REACH Special Contributor Joalda Morancy stops by to talk about their new middle-grade book ALIENS. Don't miss it!

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien with Nate DuFort

Written by: Nate DuFort with Sandy Marshall, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to author Joalda Morancy whose latest book, Aliens, is available now wherever you find books.

About the book:

Do aliens exist? Are UFOs real? The race is on to discover alien life in the universe!
This book will sort myth from fact to bring you the real science behind the search for alien lifeforms. Space expert Joalda Morancy will take readers on a tour of the solar system (and beyond) on board new NASA missions searching for the most likely alien hiding places—from icy moons of Jupiter to the clouds of Venus. Along the way kids will find out about:
• The robots sent to Mars to look for Martians
• What really goes on at Area 51
• Ways to spot an advanced alien civilization (hint—look for dim stars)
Readers will explore a comet, race futuristic spaceships, and discuss what we would say to aliens when we finally meet them (after “hello!”).
They may seem as fanciful as wizards and monsters, but this book will show that scientists not only believe that aliens exist—but that it’s only a matter of time before we find them.

Do you want to win your own copy of ALIENS? Follow REACH on Instagram @reachthepodcast for details later this week.

Grownups! Can you help KIDS LISTEN by sharing your thoughts for our Kids Listen Survey. It only takes a couple of minutes of your time and can help podcasts like ours better understand your listening habits and what you look for in kids and family podcasts. Just go to: https://www.kidslisten.org/

REACHing Out: This Just In: New Record Broken! Hubble Space Telescope Spots Farthest Individual Star Ever Seen Apr 19, 2022

Show notes

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week we're addressing numerous questions that have come in about the purpose of space telescopes by sharing a recent discovery. One for the record books! NASA just announced an exciting new finding from the Hubble Space Telescope – the farthest star ever seen in the universe. Nicknamed “Earendel” by its discoverers, this star's light took a whopping 12.9 billion years to reach us. Here to answer our questions is Dr. Michelle L Thaller, Assistant Director of Science at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien

Written by: Nate DuFort with Sandy Marshall, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to Dr. Michelle L Thaller, Assistant Director of Science at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Click here to learn more about the Hubble Space Telescope https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/main/index.html

Find Hubble on social media!! @NASAHubble

Additional thanks to the team at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center:

Michelle Handleman (KBRwyle): Lead Producer

Aaron E. Lepsch (ADNET): Technical Support

Katrina Jackson (ADVOCATES IN MANPOWER MANAGEMENT, INC): Lead Producer

Christina Brooke Mitchell (KBRwyle): Lead Producer

Jessica Sansarran (NASA): Lead Producer

Inspiration in Space with Dr. Sian Proctor Apr 12, 2022

Show notes

This week the REACH team is honored to talk to geoscientist, explorer, space artist, author, and astronaut Dr. Sian Proctor about the Inspiration4 all-civilian orbital mission to space, her Space2Inspire, and so much more. Then we have a special surprise in store for National Poetry Month - all on this episode of REACH.

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to Dr. Sian Proctor, geoscientist, explorer, space artist, author, speaker, and astronaut. To purchase a copy of Space2Inspire: The Art of Inspiration, go to https://myspace2inspire.com.

Dr. Sian Proctor online:

Website: https://www.drsianproctor.com/

Twitter: @DrSianProctor

Instagram: @DrSianProctor
Facebook: @Dr.Sian.Proctor

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrSianProctor

Inspiration4

https://inspiration4.com/

Art Prints by Dr. Sian Proctor

https://myspace2inspire.com/prints.html

Special thanks to Astro Ryan for sharing the poem “My Dream of Outer Space!”

We’d also like to offer a special thanks to Kay Ferrari at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and to everyone at NASA Space Place.

About Dr. Sian Proctor:

Dr. Proctor is a geoscientist, explorer, space artist, and astronaut. She is the mission pilot for the Inspiration4 all-civilian orbital mission to space. She is also one of The Explorer’s Club 50: Fifty People Changing the World. Her motto is called Space2inspire where she encourages people to use their unique, one-of-a-kind strengths, and passion to inspire those within their reach and beyond. She believes that we need to actively strive for a J.E.D.I. space: a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive space as we advance human spaceflight.

Watch Meredith (as Stacey Quasar) interview Dr. Proctor for Adler Planetarium's space comedy show Wow! Signal here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_3NgGT27I0

NASA: Extreme Space Facts

https://www.nasa.gov/stem-ed-resources/Extreme_Space_Facts.html

REACHing Out: Packing for Mars for Kids with author Mary Roach Apr 05, 2022

Show notes

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week we have a special episode as author Mary Roach stops by to talk about her new middle-grade book Packing for Mars for Kids. Don't miss it!

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien

Written by: Nate DuFort with Sandy Marshall, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to author Mary Roach whose latest book, Packing for Mars for Kids, is available now wherever you find books.

About the book:

“America’s funniest science writer” (Washington Post) asks the questions children ask in this young readers adaptation of her best-selling Packing for Mars.

What is it like to float weightlessly in the air? What happens if you vomit in your helmet during a spacewalk? How do astronauts go to the bathroom? Is it true that they don’t shower? Can farts really be deadly in space?

Best-selling Mary Roach has the answers. In this whip-smart, funny, and informative young readers adaptation of her best-selling Packing for Mars, Roach guides us through the irresistibly strange, frequently gross, and awe-inspiring realm of space travel and life without gravity. From flying on NASA’s Weightless Wonder to eating space food, Packing for Mars for Kids is chock-full of firs-hand experiences and thorough research. Roach has crafted an authoritative and accessible book that is perfectly pitched to inquiring middle grade readers. 35 black-and-white photographs

For more info, go to: https://maryroach.net/

REACHing Out: What is Planet 9? Mar 15, 2022

Show notes

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week we're actually digging into a question both Brian and Meredith had on a past episode: "What is Planet 9?" Joining us with the answer is Dr. Mike Brown, Richard and Barbara Rosenberg Professor of Planetary Astronomy at the California Institute of Technology.

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien

Written by: Nate DuFort with Sandy Marshall, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to Dr. Mike Brown, Richard and Barbara Rosenberg Professor of Planetary Astronomy at the California Institute of Technology.

We’d also like to thank Kay Ferrari at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and everyone at NASA Space Place.

Dr. Mike Brown, Richard and Barbara Rosenberg Professor of Planetary Astronomy at the California Institute of Technology

https://mikebrown.caltech.edu/

The Search for Planet Nine

Konstantin Batygin and Mike Brown

https://findplanetnine.blogspot.com/

“How I Killed Pluto, and Why It Had It Coming” by Mike Brown

https://www.amazon.com/How-Killed-Pluto-Why-Coming-ebook/dp/B003F3FJTG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=BDGZGZ51KG8&keywords=why+i+killed+pluto+mike+brown&qid=1645974183&s=digital-text&sprefix=why+i+killed+pluto+mike+brown%2Cdigital-text%2C66&sr=1-1

Want to support our friend Mick and The Past and the Curiouspodcast while pre-ordering his latest book I See Lincoln's Underpants? Head on over to the Kickstarter to find out how: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/heartallybooks/i-see-lincolns-underpants-from-the-past-and-the-curious

And then go listen to The Past and the Curious available wherever you get podcasts!

First Canadian to Walk in Space with Col. Chris Hadfield and Kevin Vidal Mar 08, 2022

Show notes

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Col. Chris Hadfield photo credit: Shye Klein.

Col. Chris Hadfield online:

Website: www.chrishadfield.ca

Twitter: @Cmdr_Hadfield

Facebook: @AstronautChrisHadfield

Instagram: @colchrishadfield

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChrisHadfieldAstronaut

TikTok: @cmdr_hadfield

Col. Chris Hadfield plays “Space Oddity” by David Bowie from the ISS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaOC9danxNo

Europa was voiced by the great Kevin Vidal. You can catch Kevin on Working Moms, Strays, and Odd Squad: The Movie.

Kevin Vidal online:

Instagram: @notkevinvidal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevinvidalactor

Twitter: @notkevinvidal

Special thanks to Shannon Abbott, Cheryl-Ann Horrocks, Ashley Comeau, Janet Davidson-Marshall, and our REACH learning community.

All about Europa

https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/moons/jupiter-moons/europa/overview/

REACHing Out: What is a Satellite? Mar 01, 2022

Show notes

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week's question comes from Bella who asks "What is a satellite?" Joining us with the answer as well as an overview on how CubeSats are opening up space exploration to all of us is Will Saunders, PhD candidate in Astronomy at Boston University, contributor to Brainspace Magazine, and co-host of the podcast astro[sound]bites

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien

Written by: Nate DuFort with Sandy Marshall, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to Will Saunders, PhD candidate in Astronomy at Boston University, contributor to Brainspace Magazine, and co-host of the podcast astro[sound]bites.

We’d also like to thank Nicky Middleton and the team at Brainspace, the interactive augmented reality magazine for kids 8-14.

Astro[sound]bites podcast: https://astrosoundbites.com

Will Saunders online: williamrsaunders.com

Brainspace Magazine:

https://brainspacemagazine.com

Tracks Across the Solar System with Rob Manning and Ashley Comeau Feb 22, 2022

Show notes

This week we are thrilled to have a longform sit-down with Rob Manning, Chief Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, before we get a visit from the dwarf planet Ceres (the amazing Ashley Comeau!), - all on this episode of REACH.

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien

Written by: Sandy Marshall with Nate DuFort, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to Rob Manning, Chief Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. You can follow JPL on Instagram and Twitter at @NASAJPL.

Ceres was voiced by the incomparable Ashley Comeau, Ashley is not only one of our favorite humans, but you can also catch her as the science teacher on Degrassi:Next Class and the evil Jamie Jam on Odd Squad and Odd Squad Mobile Unit.

We’d also like to offer a special thanks to Kay Ferrari and Dolores Zawol at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and to everyone at NASA Space Place.

Rob Manning NASA Bio

https://mars.nasa.gov/people/profile/?id=23225

NASA JPL Missions

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions

Mars Rover Curiosity: An Inside Account from Curiosity’s Chief Engineer, by Rob Manning and William Simon

https://www.amazon.ca/Mars-Rover-Curiosity-Curiositys-Engineer/dp/1588344037

All about Ceres

https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/dwarf-planets/ceres/overview/

REACHing Out: Temperature Check for Planet Earth Feb 15, 2022

Show notes

REACHing Out are bi-weekly mini-episodes where we answer YOUR Questions. This week we're addressing listeners questions concerning global warming by talking about NASA and NOAA's latest global temperature update for 2021.

Hosts: Brian Holden and Meredith Stepien

Written by: Nate DuFort with Sandy Marshall, Meredith Stepien and Brian Holden.

Co-Created, Produced by: Nate DuFort and Sandy Marshall

Edited by: Nate DuFort

Music composed by: Jesse Case

Logo by: Steven Lyons

Special thanks to Dr. Steven Pawson, NASA Chief of the Global Modeling and Assimilation Office:

https://sciences.gsfc.nasa.gov/sed/bio/steven.pawson-1

Additional thanks to Jessica Sansarran and to Katie Atkinson, Audio Storytelling Lead at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

NASA: Global Climate Change https://climate.nasa.gov/

NOAA: Climate Resources https://www.noaa.gov/climate