Walk and Learn: Journeys through Earth, Space, and Time

With Walk and Learn, listeners of all ages can explore the structure of the earth from core to crust, the layers of the atmosphere and the ocean, the planets and other points of interest in our solar system, and important milestones in geologic time, covering thousands or millions of kilometers or millions of years in only a few steps. In each of the episodes, listeners will be guided through a short walk of about 200 meters, with pauses along the way to learn more about key points and important milestones on on their science journey. Music and sounds bring each Walk and Learn journey to life as educator guides Heidi DuPuis and Casey Vreeken share interesting facts and valuable information, drawing from Geology, Oceanography, Astronomy, and many other science disciplines. 

A set of printable milestone markers is linked in the description of each episode, and listeners will be directed to place the markers as they walk, providing visual cues for the distance or time between points or events. Distances between markers are measured in steps*, and the number of steps is accurately scaled to the real distances between significant points or events. This allows even very young listeners to understand and make comparisons between large distances or time periods that can be difficult to visualize. For example, in A Journey from the Center of the Earth, listeners traveling from the earth's core to sea level (real distance of about 6400 kilometers) will mark 12 points along the way as they learn about the different layers within the earth. When they reach sea level, they will have taken a total of 353 steps. To reach the edge of the atmosphere (an additional 400 kilometers) requires only another 22 steps divided over 4 stops. Distances between markers range from half a step to nearly 70, a manageable distance and fun counting practice for younger children.

Walk and Learn can be enjoyed by both children and adults, making these walks fun for a whole family. Go outside, take a walk, and enjoy an interactive science lesson with us!

*For those using wheelchairs or other mobility devices, counting rhythmically as you move can replace counting steps. 

Track Descriptions:

Stroll through the Solar System Journey from the sun all the way out to the cold reaches of space past Pluto, where astronomers are still hoping to find a new planet. Learn details about each of the 8 planets, and visit a few dwarf planets as well! Find out the answers to questions such as "Which planet in the solar system has the shortest day/night cycle?" and "How long has it been since a space probe visited Neptune?" At the end of 200 meters, look back to see just how spread out our solar system gets as you travel outward!

A Journey From the Center of the Earth Discover just how thin our atmosphere is in relation to the size of our planet. Find out the answers to questions such as "How do scientists learn about things they can't see?" and "Where does space begin?" The layers of the Earth's interior and its atmosphere will be marked out to scale so listeners can compare their relative thicknesses. As an extra bonus, discover how much farther you would need to walk on the same scale to reach the moon!

Walk through Earth's History Join us as we travel through the 4.5 billion years since the solar system and our planet first formed. Listeners will learn a few of the names that geologists give different periods of history, and some of the events that separate one period from the next. Learn the answers to questions such as "How can Oxygen be a catastrophe?" and "When did the first insects appear in the fossil record?" After a short 200 meter walk, look back to see just how fast things are changing today in comparison to Earth's early history.

Dive into Earth's Oceans Listeners will descend through nearly 11 kilometers from the ocean's surface to the bottom of the deepest trench, learning about each layer as they travel. We will stop along the way to visit a few interesting shipwrecks and learn about some of the amazing people who have braved the ocean's depths in the spirit of exploration. We will also learn the answers to questions such as "How deep does sunlight extend into the ocean?" and "How many people have traveled all the way to the bottom of the Marianas trench?"