SubjectToClimate is proud to partner with Tinkercast to share a curated selection of TinkerClass climate education resources! Designed for grades K–5 and NGSS-aligned, TinkerClass lessons guide students through the learning cycle of Listen – Wonder – Tinker – Make. With engaging podcasts, hands-on STEM experiments for kids, and critical thinking prompts, these resources help students explore big ideas in science—including climate and environmental topics—in a fun and meaningful way.
In A Sunbrella for the Planet, Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas explore a giant reflective umbrella designed to cool Earth. They discuss the science behind this innovative solution to global warming and its potential to combat climate change. The paired "Will It Melt?" experiment invites students to test how sunlight affects different materials, helping them understand the concept of heat transfer.
In Welcome to Planet Earth, Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas introduce listeners to Earth’s atmosphere and how it helps make the planet livable. The paired "Blanket Effect" experiment lets students explore how different materials trap heat, simulating the greenhouse effect. By measuring temperature changes, students learn how Earth's atmosphere holds in warmth.
In Here Comes the Sun‑Powered Energy!, Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas travel through time to explore how we’ve powered the planet in the past, and why we need cleaner options for the future. They highlight how solar energy works and why it’s a powerful alternative to fossil fuels. With humor and curiosity, the episode introduces kids to the science behind renewable energy.
In the episode How to Be Cool to a Planet That’s Hot, Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas explore climate change, the greenhouse effect, and innovative solutions to reduce environmental impact. Accompanying the episode is the "Compost Countdown" experiment, where students observe how organic materials decompose over time and learn about the role of composting in reducing waste and enriching soil.
Tinkercast was founded by three media veterans, storytellers, and parents on a mission to add more WOW to kids’ worlds, spark their sense of wonder, ignite their creativity, and inspire them to become the thinkers and tinkerers that will shape tomorrow.
The team of Tinkerers behind our award-winning podcasts, best-selling books, live events, videos, and educational content embodies the spirit of play, curiosity, creative innovation, and collaboration every single day and is nothing short of WOW.
