This time on The Children’s Hour, we’re joined by three cave biologists who are researching life underground. Learn the basics of caves, spelunking, and hear about cutting edge research into extremophiles. Plus we explore some of the world’s most extraordinary caves. Learn with us!

The Kids Crew and Katie are joined by three cave biologists who are researching life underground. Dr. Diana Northup is a Visiting Associate Professor, BiologyProfessor Emerita, College of University Libraries & Learning Sciences at the University of New Mexico, Jenny Hathaway is the biologist inside Dr. Northup’s laboratory, and Ryan Ozatalar, an undergraduate studying biology. 

We will learn basic facts about caves, like how they are formed and where we can find them. Plus Dr. Northup and her team are on the cutting edge of biological discoveries inside caves. We find out about microbes and extremophiles which inhabit all caves, even ones with air that is toxic for humans. 

Are there some caves that are particularly amazing? We think so! Hear about the Great Room in Carlsbad Caverns located in New Mexico, the glow worms in Waitomo Caves in New Zealand, and the ecosystems inside Viet Nam’s Son Doong Cave. Back in the United States, we learn why Wind Cave in South Dakota is sacred for the Oglala Lakota Nation. 

Dr. Diana Northup was featured in a PBS Nova episode called The Mysterious Life of Caves. Click here to launch the video in a new tab in your browser.

Get kids caving with the National Park Service activity guide called  A Kids Guide to learn even more about caves.

Caves.org is where to find out more about the National Speleological Society. Do you live in New Mexico? https://sandiagrotto.org/ is how to reach the local Albuquerque grotto.

This episode is mixed with great music, and was written and produced by Katie Stone, with help from Christina Stella and Eli Henley. This episode was recorded at the Outpost Performance Space in Albuquerque New Mexico. Our engineer was Chad Scheer. Our intern Thaniel Lentz provided our transcripts and playlists.

The Children’s Hour is distributed by Native Voice One, The Native American Radio Network.

©2024 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Scientist photographs ©Kenneth Ingham and used with permission.

Please note not all of the music you hear on The Children’s hour can be found on Spotify.