Ping and Echo: Underground Astronauts
Do you think you could squeeze into a cave the size of two-and-a-half Matchbox cars?
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 The Past and the Curious, a podcast created by Mick Sullivan who is the Manager of Youth and Family Programs at the Frazier History Museum in Louisville, KY. This episode is made up of two parts, both of which take a look at early human history through amazing stories of science and archeology. You’ll get to follow along as two nations fight over a frozen 5,000 year old body and as “underground astronauts” go spelunking in a cave that at one point narrows to the size of two-and-a-half Matchbox cars.
Podcast: The Past and The Curious
Episode: Ötzi the Iceman and Underground Astronauts
URL: Listen to the audio on Soundcloud. The podcast’s page has some background but no audio http://thepastandthecurious.com/stories/special-episode-otzi-and-tumble/
Length: 28 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. Both stories talk about bones and skeletons and scientific research related to very old dead bodies.
💡 Try This
After you listen to the episode you can take a time machine back to early human history with the links and activities below:
Make Otzi’s Shoes - Using materials from around your house (try recycled cardboard) make your own pair of Otzi’s primitive shoes.
Make Your Own Ötzi - Freeze a few toys in ice in your freezer and chip them away to reveal a whole new story
Draw - Draw your own version of an Underground Astronaut and try to sketch the Homo naledi
🔎 Explore More
Read up on Homo naledi, the Rising Star cave system and Ötzi the Iceman with these links:
Ötzi the Iceman - Museum of Archaeology Bolzano
5 Surprising Facts About Otzi the Iceman - National Geographic
Dinaledi Chamber Rising Star Cave VR Experience - Perot Museum
Deep in the caves with Homo Naledi & the Rising Star Expedition - The Kids Should See This
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.
Josh, Ruby, and Toby