Produced by Wyoming Public Media and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Kids Ask WhY features young journalists from Wyoming, who explore topics that connect them to their home-- the modern American West. Diving into questions about Wyoming’s history, wildlife, and culture, their thoughtful conclusions help people of all ages see Wyoming through a new lens.
Wyoming winters are often blanketed in beautiful snow but living around snow has its challenges for both animals and humans. In this episode, Stella and Bowen talk with Corey Anco, the Curator of the Draper Natural History Museum, to discover the survival strategies of animals who live under the snow. Shelby and Elise talk about snowflake structure and the danger of avalanches with Frank Carus, the director of the Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center.
At this time of year as nights become longer, we often shift our attention to the beautiful sky overhead and wonder about the stars, galaxies, universe and beyond. In this episode, Wren and Sydney speak with Leo Bird, a science educator, about how the Blackfeet People have explained the night sky. He relates a story about “A Girl who Marries a Star.” Then Miles, Audrey, and Joy pepper Dr. Samuel Singer with many questions about our amazing universe.
On this episode of Kids Ask Why, we learn about biodiversity and how things like bugs, skunks and sagebrush are all interconnected. Cedar and Leena speak with former Curator of the Draper Natural History Museum, Nathan Doerr, about wildlife food chains in Wyoming. Rory and Addie interview plant ecologist, Trevor Bloom, about the importance of plants like sagebrush to the ecosystem.
Everyone (even kids!) can do all kinds of things to help keep animals safe. On this episode, we learn from two experts about how humans are impacting animals. Scarlett Fessler and Easton Burcham talk to Arthur Middleton, a professor of wildlife management, about migration–and about how people can help or hurt the chances of different… Read More »Episode 2: How Can Humans Help Wildlife Stay Safe?
In this episode Lucio and Kai speak with Jenn Runs Close To Lodge a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe living on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. They learn about the challenges of being Native American, gain understanding of another culture, and learn ways they can fight against racism. Vassilissa and Caleb speak with… Read More »Episode 1: What Lessons Can We Learn About Human Rights in Wyoming?
Kids Ask Why is back! This season the podcast is following a 4th and 5th grade class from the Kelly School in Teton County, Wyoming.
Cinch and Chauncey Dalton have been ranchers their whole lives, and they explained all about branding cattle in Wyoming. Cali Jo Johnson comes from a family of rodeo riders. She helps listeners understand about youth rodeo and her family's strong connection to their horses.
In this episode, we invited kids who were visiting the Buffalo Bill Center of the West to ask questions about the American West of two of the museum's experts – Nathan Doerr and Hunter Old Elk. With excellent questions about Yellowstone like “Why do hot springs have different colors?” and “What would a day in… Read More »Episode 6: Stump The Curator
Every community in Wyoming seems to have a summer event (or more) that will attract visitors and locals and help to celebrate the resources in the area.
Wyoming is the home to spectacular natural events both historic and current. This episode explores the Yellowstone supervolcano and tornados in Wyoming.
Wyoming is arguably the most rural state in the nation, and like ranching, farming is a big part of its rural character. Bryant Casey speaks with lifelong farmer Rodney McNiven about his crops and his challenges. Anniston Morris goes back in time to learn about one of the first towns in Wyoming, why it began… Read More »Episode 3: Rural Living
With their lives upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, naturally kids have lots of questions about the virus. Maddilyn Smith and Hirsch Zickefoose air some of these questions with Natrona County Health Officer Dr. Mark Dowell, and historian Dr. Jeremy Johnston. Maddilyn is particularly interested in the COVID-19 vaccine and how it will affect kids. Hirsch… Read More »Episode 2: COVID and Kids
Sophia Moore and Taft Winters explore two important “seasons” in Wyoming—Fire Season and Hunting Season. Sophia had firsthand experience with the Lost Creek Fire outside of Cody, and has lots of questions for BLM dispatcher Katie Williamson. Katie helps Sophia understand the pros and cons of fires in the West. Taft Winter just passed his… Read More »Episode 1: From Fire Season to Hunting Season
Kids Ask WhY is back! For our second season, a new group of kids come back to ask about events that fascinate them either in the present or past. Think annual summer events in your community or something significant that struck a chord in the past. We learn about volcanoes, branding, fire seasons and more.… Read More »Kids Ask Why Season 2 Trailer
Molly Buckles and Sam Obrecht love Wyoming because of the open spaces that are made up of federal, state and private land.
In this episode, Ruby Hanson and Erica Unger examine two aspects of equality in Wyoming. Erica Unger, a ten-year-old from Douglas, Wyoming starts this episode with an interview with Christina Bird. Erica asks questions about suffrage in Wyoming in the 19th Century and about Nellie Tayloe Ross. Ross was the first woman governor of Wyoming… Read More »Episode 6: Why Is Wyoming Called the Equality State?
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