Ping and Echo: How to Stop A Killer Asteroid
The best way to stop a killer asteroid may be a satellite shaped like a refrigerator.
Welcome to Ping and Echo, a daily newsletter that links to one amazing podcast episode that is guaranteed to be a great listen for kids and their families. Each newsletter includes links to articles, videos and activities related to the podcast so you can turn every episode into an adventure.
Today’s podcast episode is from Science Vs., a great show that pits science versus everyday challenges and out-of-this-world scenarios. This episode explores how scientists are preparing for the possibility of an asteroid hitting earth. You’ll learn about how people got sunburned from an asteroid that exploded over Russia and why NASA studies craters on other planets and moons. There are great sound effects and imagery, like when the host exclaims: “Our brave little refrigerator-bird will be ready to fly out to Didymoon!” It’s so good.
Podcast: Science Vs.
Episode: How to Stop A Killer Asteroid
URL: https://gimletmedia.com/shows/science-vs/n8hw5m/how-to-stop-a-killer-asteroid
Length: 30 minutes
🧐 You Should Know
I’ll always give you a heads up if there is anything in the podcast that might surprise or worry kids. Nothing to worry about here (except the world ending). That is to say, the host does muse about the impact of a big asteroid hitting earth and wiping out a whole city, but it isn’t presented as something imminent or real. It didn’t bother my kids at all.
💡 Try This
After you listen to the episode you can plan your own asteroid attack and much more with the links and activities below:
Make a straw rocket to shoot down asteroids in your house - NASA
Test how different sized objects make craters with this food and baking activity - NASA
Try to calculate the rotation of the first asteroid scientists detected in our solar system in 2017 - NASA
🔎 Explore More
Read up on outer space science and the history behind this episode with these links:
Can you survive an asteroid impact? STEM Learning activity resources (PDF link)
How NASA Studies and Tracks Asteroids Near and Far - Teachable Moments
(Also, because Science Vs. is amazing they have a full transcript with every fact in the podcast footnoted and linked!)
The name Ping and Echo comes from sonar technology which relies on sending out “pings” and receiving back “echos” to discover the world around you. You can send us pictures of the art and activities created by your kids. Email them to pingandecho@gmail.com and we’ll post all your echos on our Twitter page.
Thanks for lending us your ears and your inbox.