Kids ask: Are plants alive?
Exploring Photosynthesis, Plant Parts & Nature for Kids (Ages 3–11)
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In this episode of Orbit: Science for Kids on the Move, kids explore the fascinating world of plants with Charlie Weyman, an educator from the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami, Florida.
Through playful storytelling and real questions from kids, listeners learn what makes plants alive, how they grow, and how they make their own food using photosynthesis. Charlie explains how plants produce the oxygen we breathe, why they’re essential to everyday life (from food to clothing!), and how different plant parts—like roots, stems, and leaves—work together.
This episode introduces foundational biology concepts in an engaging way, helping kids understand how living things function, how plants support life on Earth, and how scientists study the natural world.
Episode Vocabulary
Build science language while you listen!
Plant: A living thing that makes its own food using sunlight
Photosynthesis: The process plants use to make food from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide
Chlorophyll: A green substance in plants that helps capture sunlight
Carbon Dioxide: A gas in the air that plants use to make food
Oxygen: A gas that plants release, which humans and animals need to breathe
Roots: The part of a plant that absorbs water and nutrients from the soil
Stem: The part that carries water and nutrients through the plant
Leaves: The part of the plant that absorbs sunlight
Pollination: The process of moving pollen between flowers to help plants reproduce
Nutrients: Substances plants need to grow and stay healthy
Children’s questions answered in this episode
Submit questions for upcoming episodes here.
What is a plant?
What makes plants alive?
Why are plants green?
Why do plants need soil?
What are the different parts of a plant and what do they do?
How are plants different from animals?
Why do plants have flowers?
How do plants reproduce?
Why are there so many different types of plants?
Why do some plants grow taller than others?
Can plants regrow parts like leaves or stems?
Are there plants that eat insects?
What jobs can you have if you study plants?
After listening: conversation starters
Did you see any plants today? Where? What were they like?
If you were a plant, what type of plant would you be?
Why do you think plants need sunlight to survive?
About the expert
Charlie Weyman is an educator at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami, where he teaches kids about plants and why they’re important for our planet.
Why STEM Podcasts for Kids?
Research shows that podcasts like Orbit: Science for kids on the move! help kids build early STEM identity while sparking curiosity and imagination about the world around them. By hearing real experts and big questions, children begin to see themselves as scientists.
They also offer engaging, screen-free entertainment—perfect for car rides and on-the-go learning—while growing science vocabulary, strengthening critical thinking, and introducing kids to real-world STEM careers in a fun, accessible way.