Why does welding create sparks? ⚡

Did you know the welding arc can get even hotter than the surface of the Sun? 🔥 

This week, we meet Rudy Rodriguez, a welding instructor at Weimar High School in Weimar, Texas. Together, we discover how welders use heat to join metal together, why they wear special helmets, what causes those bright sparks, and how welding helps build everything from playgrounds and roller coasters to bridges, airplanes, and even rockets!

➡️ Part of the Cool Jobs for Curious Kids series, made possible by Level Up Texas and the Texas A&M Office for Youth Engagement ⁠⁠https://tx.ag/cooljobs⁠⁠

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Orbit Family Conversation Starters!

1. If you could build anything out of metal, what would you create?
2. Would you rather work on roller coasters, rockets, race cars, metal artwork, or giant skyscrapers? Why?
3. What is something in your home or neighborhood that was probably welded together?

Continue learning as a family!

• Look for welded objects around your home, school, or playground. Can you spot where pieces of metal were joined together?
• Visit a construction site from a safe distance and see what materials are being used to build.
• Talk about a time you learned a skill that seemed difficult at first but became easier with practice.

🎧 More podcasts by Cumbre Kids in English and Spanish: ⁠⁠https://www.cumbrekids.org⁠⁠

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A message for parents about our values: ⁠⁠https://www.cumbrekids.org/our-values⁠⁠