A new bilingual children’s STEM podcast series from Texas A&M University’s Office for Youth Engagement (OYE) and science media organization Cumbre Kids could inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators.
The series – “Cool Jobs for Curious Kids” – is featured on its leading STEM podcasts “Orbit: Science for Kids on the Move” and “Cráneo: Ciencia para niños curiosos.” Each episode introduces children ages 3-11 and their families to education and career pathways in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
It highlights scientists and other experts, including faculty from Texas A&M, who introduce young listeners to the science behind their work while helping them imagine future career possibilities, according to OYE Director Stephanie Burns.
“Children are more likely to aspire to careers they can see and understand. Through OYE and our LevelUp Texas initiative, we work to connect young people with careers and role models so they can begin exploring fields that spark their curiosity,” said Burns. “This podcast gives families a chance to learn about fascinating areas of science while also understanding the people and professions behind that work.”
Each episode is available in English and Spanish, breaking down scientific ideas into age-appropriate conversations for kids and families. Episodes feature Texas A&M faculty who specialize in wildlife management, dentistry and behavioral economics:
- Dr. Humberto Perotto, Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management – discussing drones and rangeland management.
- Ariana Vargas, Texas A&M College of Dentistry – discussing the science of cavities and dental careers.
- Dr. Marco Palma, Texas A&M Human Behavior Lab – discussing decision making and behavioral economics.
Future episodes, released on a rolling basis, will explore topics from aerospace engineering and satellites to skilled trades like HVAC.
“This is a fantastic partnership with LevelUp Texas and Texas A&M because our teams share a commitment to supporting families during children’s formative years – as children form beliefs about STEM and their own potential that can last a lifetime,” said Robert Carpenter ’12, co-founder of Cumbre Kids. “This innovative collaboration between higher education and family podcasts is already impacting tens of thousands of families, and it is an honor to support Texas A&M in serving current and future generations of Texans.”
Cumbre Kids hosts several educational podcasts, reaching more than 250,000 families and three million listeners. The podcasts feature STEM professionals from leading organizations, including Texas A&M, NASA, PBS Nature, the Smithsonian Institution, the U.S. National Park Service, the Houston Museum of Natural Science and Texas Children’s Hospital.
Episodes of “Cool Jobs for Curious Kids” are available wherever podcasts are streamed. Learn more at tx.ag/cooljobs.
