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 Clearstory, a podcast from This Old House. Sometimes the best podcasts take ordinary things we all take for granted and change the way you look at them forever. That’s how we felt about this episode on house windows. Over the course of the episode you find out why windows are more like finely tuned machines, why houses in Georgia need different windows than houses in Maine, and why pirates once stole the windows out of a house in Rhode Island. There is definitely some wonky details here and there, but overall it is a great exploration that dives into how windows are made and why they are so complex. This episode was suggested by a Ping and Echo subscriber (thanks Melody!).
Podcast: Clearstory from This Old House
Episode: Windows: No Pane, No Gain
URL: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/21079238/windows-no-pane-no-gain-clearstory-ep-3
Length: 22 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 concerning here, but if your kids’ attention drifts have them go check out a window in your home or draw a window while they listen. That should help connect what is in the story to their real life in a direct way.
💡 Try This
After you listen to the episode check out these wonderful window projects with the links below:
Make a Greenhouse for your Windows - Playdough to Plato
Make a Window out of Sugar - Sick Science
🔎 Explore More
Read up on the history and science behind this episode with these links:
Read about the “greased paper windows” - Little House Science
How a Window Was made in 1869 - Scientific American
How Window Glass is Made the Artisanal Way - Science Channel
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 Instagram and our Twitter page.
Thanks for lending us your ears and your inbox.
Toby, Ruby, and Josh