Hello From the Van

Mimi Faatz
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Education

*Visual Podcast on Youtube*  A Family-Friendly and Educational Podcast for Everyone! Geared to curious families with lots of questions. We cover everything from cancer to paint colors-- always in a safe and educational way. Join us as we explore a new topic each week. 

  1. Tempered Glass: A Scientific History

    5d ago

    Tempered Glass: A Scientific History

    In this episode we talk about the science of glass and the difference between glass that shatters into pieces and glass that crumbles. It's a SCIENCE EPISODE of Hello From the Van! Sources:  SG Glass Manufacturers, "The History of Tempered Glass."  https://www.sggglassmanufacturer. com/news/The-history-of-tempered-glass.html Invent . Org, "Harold McMaster".  https://www.invent . org/inductees/harold-mcmaster  Apple Glass Company, "The History and Evolution of Bulletproof Glass." https://appleglasscompany . com/blog/the-history-and-evolution-of-bulletproof-glass/  Eco Strip, "The History of Glass Windows".  https://eco-strip . com/the-history-of-glass-windows/?srsltid=AfmBOooguceAx-MHnQ1NrLzlsGxe-g_7ICLxW87ekt7h1crJ9oWvXw7a  ZME Science, "The Strongest Glass in the World". https://www.zmescience . com/science/chemistry/strongest-glass-world-052352/  Wikipedia, "Tempered Glass".  https://en.wikipedia . org/wiki/Tempered_glass  Wikipedia, "Prince Rupert of Rhine". https://en.wikipedia . org/wiki/Prince_Rupert_of_the_Rhine  Fabricators Glass and Mirror, "What Happens When Tempered Glass Breaks?". https://www.fabglassandmirror . com/blog/what-happens-when-tempered-glass-breaks/?srsltid=AfmBOooWkocm87s0r2iaselsOPW5GAaM4Sb-IGPcq98PZvQuC2sXCQ_v  East Glass Machine, "How Does Glass Get Tension?". https://www.eastglassmachine . com/how-does-glass-get-tension-in-it-a-comprehensive-explanation%E2%80%8B_newsview133.html  SCMPM, "Scientists Develop Glass as Hard as Diamond". https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3144260/chinese-scientists-develop-glass-hard-diamond Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com

    10 min

  2. Jun 1

    All About TIDES

    I recently took my kids on a field trip to Dana Point, California to visit the tide pools at low tide. That field trip led to a lot of questions from the kids and from me! In this episode we talk about why tides happen, how long humans have known about it, and the effect of tides on humans for thousands of years.  SOURCES:  Encyclopedia Brittanica Kids, "Tides". https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/tide/390262 NOAA Tides and Current Calculator, Dana Point. https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions.html?id=9413617&legacy=1  Cartwright D. E., 2000, Tides: a scientific history., Cited on Reddit by DukesDJ Tidal Science Before and After Newton, Woodworth. https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/533245/1/3-s2.0-B9780323908511000029-main.pdf A Brief History of Tidal Work in India, https://share.google/DRnEeZ6SXCuD1s906  The Effects of the Full Moon on Parasites, Neomed. https://www.neomedinstitute.com/the-effects-of-the-full-moon-on-parasites/  Today in Science History, "Rachel Carson". https://todayinsci.com/C/Carson_Rachel/CarsonRachel-Tide-Quotations.htm  Europe's Mighty Megaliths "Rock" the Winter Solstice, National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/history-magazine/article/history-europe-megaliths-solstice Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com

    11 min
  3. Memorial Day Explained!

    May 25

    Memorial Day Explained!

    What do the Civil War, parking lots, and Memorial Day have in common?! We talk about all of them today on Hello From the Van. In this shorter holiday episode, we discuss the origins of the Memorial Day and it's close ties to the rich history of the United States.  A huge thank-you to The Wounded Warrior Project, The United States Archives, and PBS who had a wealth of reference knowledge critical to today's episode. (Links below).  US National Archives:  https://www.archives.gov/news/topics/memorial-day PBS, The Civil War with Ken Burns: https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-civil-war/timeline The Wounded Warrior Project: https://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/What-is-Memorial-Day-Facts-Meaning-and-History Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com

    5 min
  4. How To Write A Story

    May 18

    How To Write A Story

    **SUMMER STORYWRITING RULES BELOW EPISODE DESCRIPTION** Aristotle wasn't just a philosopher, he was a playwright and scientist. This week we learn all about plot structure as explained in the Poetics. Using the story of The Three Little Pigs, we dive into what makes a compelling story. #hellofromthevan #educationalpodcast #aristotle #thepoetics #threeactstructure #3act #storywriting #storytime #threelittlepigs   SUMMER STORYWRITING GUIDELINES/RULES AND HOW TO SUBMIT: **Submissions Due June 18th, 2026** - Word count must be between 50-400 words. - Please follow the Aristotle Plot Structure. - Stories must be submitted by an adult, the child's parent/legal guardian. - Absolutely NO A.I. writing, illustrations, or content.   - Story subject and dialogue should be appropriate for all ages (swears etc will automatically be filtered by our software). - Open to ages 5-12 (Kindergarten through 4th Grade). Parents can type up story if child cannot write yet. - By submitting your child's story, you agree to it possibly being read in a future episode of Hello From the Van. All rights are retained by the child. We will not sell, distribute, or use the story beyond the future episode. LEGAL STUFF: - By submitting an Entry Form, each participant’s parent/legal guardian, on behalf of participant, agrees to be bound by the above Contest Rules. - Each participant’s parent/legal guardian, on behalf of the participant, agrees to release and hold Hello From the Van, and its representatives, subsidiaries, parent company, harmless from any and all damages, losses, claims and liabilities arising out of participation in the Contest. - Hello From the Van reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate, suspend or otherwise cancel the Contest at any time. **TO SUBMIT YOUR STORY:** Simply send a PDF (if typed) or picture of the handwritten story to HFTVStory@gmail.com Subject Line: Storywriting    JUDGING:  The judging criteria and percentages shall be scored and graded using a rubric based on the following criteria: Creative Expression Originality Storytelling/Plot Development PRIZE: There are no prizes, but chosen stories will be read and illustrated on a future episode of Hello From the Van. It's less of a traditional contest and more of a storywriting exercise for families.   Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com

    12 min
  5. What the Fox *Actually* Says...

    May 11

    What the Fox *Actually* Says...

    Is the Fox a feline or a canine, a cat or a dog?? This week we learn all about this amazing animal and it's impact (for better or for worse) all across the world. And yes, we do answer the question, "What does the fox say?".  #educationalpodcast #familyfriendlypodcast #homeschoolingfun #homeschoollesson #sciencelesson #taxonomy #foxes #foxesofinstagram  This week's Works Cited:  Wildland's Conservancy, "15 WILD Fox Facts That Might Amaze You".  National Geographic Kids, "All About the Fox".  Encyclopedia Brittanica, "Fox: Species, Habitat, Behavior, Facts".  Macdonald, David W.; Sillero-Zubiri, Claudio, eds. (2004). The biology and conservation of wild canids. Lloyd, H.G. (1981). The red fox (2. impr. ed.). London: Batsford. p. 21 Ginsburg, Joshua Ross and David Whyte MacDonald. Foxes, Wolves, Jackals, and Dogs Archived Bostanci, A. (2005). "A Devil of a Disease". Science "European Red Foxes". Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. 9 December 2025.  Green, Michael (3 July 2014). "Little fox, big problem". The Ag Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com

    10 min
  6. Equinox and Solstice Explained

    May 4

    Equinox and Solstice Explained

    Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com

    9 min
  7. Magical Mutating Cells: CANCER! Explained.

    Apr 27

    Magical Mutating Cells: CANCER! Explained.

    In this episode we take a clinical overview of cancer, what it is, why it happens, and it's different stages.  This is a great episode is a great place for families to start when facing rouge mutating cells.  #cancerexplained #hellofromthevan #cancerforkids #educationalpodcast #sciencepodcast   Episode Resources:  Kids Health . org, "Kids and Cancer". Britannica Kids, "Cancer" entry.  Worldwide Cancer Research, "Cancer Stages and Grades Explained...", Sept 30, 2025. Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com

    10 min
  8. Earthquakes! For Kids!

    Apr 20

    Earthquakes! For Kids!

    This week we dive deeper into natural disasters and explore Earthquakes! We answer the questions: - What causes earthquakes?  - How to prepare for an earthquake? and - What to do during and after an earthquake.  A HUGE Thank-you to this Weeks Educational Resources: US Geological Survey Website UC Berkeley Seismology  University of Utah Seismology  Stuck in your van too? Give us a follow for more educational resources.  Youtube: Hello From The Van!  Instagram/Facebook @HelloFromTheVan HelloFromTheVan.com

    10 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

*Visual Podcast on Youtube*  A Family-Friendly and Educational Podcast for Everyone! Geared to curious families with lots of questions. We cover everything from cancer to paint colors-- always in a safe and educational way. Join us as we explore a new topic each week. 

Information

  • Creator
    Mimi Faatz
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Hello From the Van
  • Show Website
    Hello From the Van