Civics Archives - The Children's Hour

Firefighters are helpers who rush toward danger when others need help. On this episode of The Children’s Hour, the Kids Crew visits AFR Fire Station Number Three in Albuquerque, New Mexico to learn how firefighters protect people, animals, and neighborhoods every day.

In this episode of The Children’s Hour, Grammy-winning oud player Rahim AlHaj shares his story of leaving Iraq as a refugee and finding a new home in New Mexico. Listeners will discover the oud, a 5,000-year-old string instrument, and learn about the challenges and strengths that refugees bring to their communities. The Kids Crew also talk about Malala Yousafzai and what it means to welcome strangers with kindness and compassion.

What is journalism, and why does it matter? On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we learn what journalism is and how journalists help us understand the world around us. We meet trailblazing reporters, hear from our Kids Crew, and talk with Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. She shares what it means to be a good journalist, why she started her career, and how young people can begin telling important stories.

This time on The Children’s Hour, we have a show on Patriotism & Leadership. What does it mean to be patriotic, according to some bilingual 8th graders at Albuquerque’s Washington Middle School?

What is justice, and how do courts make sure laws are fair? In this episode of The Children’s Hour, the Kids Crew talks with Maria Martinez-Sanchez from ACLU New Mexico to learn how the judicial system works, from local courts to the Supreme Court. We also explore tribal justice systems with Chief Justice Rosanna Toya, who explains how Native American nations have their own courts and laws. Join us as we discover how justice is served in different ways across the United States.

We explore Black History through stories from Dr. Marsha Hardeman, Professor of Africana Studies at the University of New Mexico.

In this episode of The Children’s Hour, the Kids Crew dives into the world of Presidential elections! With the help of New Mexico's Secretary of State, Maggie Toulouse Oliver, and State Representative Pamela Herndon, we break down how elections work, what the Electoral College is, and why voting is so important. From learning about ballots to understanding how votes are counted, this episode is filled with interesting facts and answers to questions about the election process. Even though kids can’t vote, they can still learn and inspire adults to take part in elections!

In this special episode of The Children’s Hour, we celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Jimmy Carter, just in time for his 100th birthday on October 2, 2024. Join us as we explore his journey from a peanut farmer in Georgia to becoming the 39th President of the United States, and beyond, with insights into his lifelong dedication to peace, human rights, and community service. Featuring music, interviews, and stories, this episode honors Carter’s remarkable impact on the world.

The Kids Crew explore the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of running with blind Olympic champion runner George Mendoza, kids and adults from Running Medicine, and Gabe Vasquez whose running is helping him run for Congress.

This week on The Children’s Hour, where does our tap water come from, and where does it end up when we flush or wash it down the drain? We learn about Water Treatment with the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority's education director, Erin Keck. Our water system is circular, from the Rio Grande and back again. In the meantime, it goes through pipes to homes, and down the drains when it's dirty. How do they clean it for drinking, and then clean it again after it's gross? And what role do tardigrades play?

It's Earth Day on The Children's Hour, and we meet Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM) who explains how National Parks and National Wilderness areas are created. Kids can play a big part! Then, Evan tells us about the Junior Ranger program. Biologists and authors Lily and Barbara Kingsolver share about their new book, Coyote's Wild Home. Learn with us!

Because kids are seeing guns in so many places, The Children's Hour has tips on gun safety that hunting families have taught their kids for generations. We learn from kids who are hunters themselves on what hunting means to them, and we explore gun laws in the US and the world. Gun violence prevention begins with a conversation at home. Join us for this lifesaving episode of The Children's Hour.

This time on The Children’s Hour, we learn from two people who have dedicated their lives to being leaders in their communities. First, the kids chat with Pierce Freelon, who is a multi-Emmy winning TV and movie producer, Grammy winning children’s musician, educator, and city councilor in the city of Durham, North Carolina. Pierce talks about how he came to wear all these hats, and explains to us what it is a city councilor actually does.

This time on The Children’s Hour, in honor of Veteran’s Day on November 11, we re-visit the Museum of the American Military Family in Tijeras, New Mexico.

The kids crew talk with New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham about what her job entails, how to lead during a pandemic, and how governors can help solve the climate crisis.

Learn all about the United States Senate on this edition of The Children's Hour. We'll visit with New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich in an interview he says is "a lot harder than I get from CNN."

This week on The Children's Hour meet kids who are standing up to demand adults take action on the issues that directly impact their lives. We’ll be joined by Our Children's Trust attorney Nate Bellinger, and the crew talks with Mica Kantor, a 12 year old plaintiff in a case against the Montana government over the state's inaction on climate change.

This time on The Children's Hour, we take a dive into the very basics of Civics education with lifelong educator and community leader Arthur Lieber. We explore how kids can help bring our country together, and build a brighter future. Then we hear from our friends at the Extinction Diaries about marine plankton, a tiny ocean critter upon whom life on Earth depends. Mixed with excellent music. Learn with us!

In the final episode of our series on the Bill of Rights, The Children's Hour focuses on the 8th, 9th and 10th Amendments. We learn with Micah McCoy from the ACLU New Mexico the meaning behind these amendments, and how we change our Constitution. Plus the kids in the Extinction Diaries cover what's going on with the coral reefs around the world. Mixed with great music and conversation, join us every week for The Children's Hour!

We continue our series on the Bill of Rights this week on The Children's Hour with an episode about the 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th Amendments with Micah McCoy from the ACLU New Mexico. Learn if we really have a right to privacy, and what rights we have if we are charged with a crime. Plus the kids from the Extinction Diaries tell us about the effects of extinction on humans. We mix it all with great music, and conversation.

We continue our exploration of the Bill of Rights this week on The Children's Hour with a show about the 2nd and 3rd Amendments with Micah McCoy from the ACLU-NM. We learn many ways the 2nd Amendment is interpreted, and why it's so contentious. Then we discover the reason soldiers can't just move into our houses. Plus we hear from the kids in the Extinction Diaries about the Sixth Great Extinction. We also pay homage to the late, great Rudolfo Anaya.

This time on The Children’s Hour, we start a four part series on the Bill of Rights with Micah McCoy from the ACLU New Mexico. Plus, 4th graders in Mrs. Rincón’s classroom at Adobe Acres Elementary in Albuquerque tell us what makes a good leader. And, we explore Pangolins with our friends from the Extinction Diaries.

This week on The Children's Hour, join us for a live broadcast from the Museum of the American Military Family in Tijeras, New Mexico. How does having a parent serving in the armed forces impact a family? This museum is set up to look like a military family's home during World War 2 and is filled with memorabilia and more. Featuring musical guest, Rowan McJimsey and the Boy Scouts of New Mexico Troop 185.

In a live broadcast from Albuquerque's Central and Unser Library, The Children's Hour Kids Crew interview Congresswoman Deb Haaland. Featuring, musical guests, The Sillyettes from Gallup, New Mexico.

The Children's Hour broadcast from Albuquerque’s Open Space Visitor’s Center with Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller. The Kids Crew followed up on our interview from when he first took office, and found out about what he’s accomplished so far.

Kids can be part of making new laws, and this week on The Children's Hour we follow up with students from Wild Friends New Mexico about New Mexico's SB 234, a bill to protect pollinators in this year’s New Mexico Legislature. Then, we talked with kids in Running Medicine about how running together with family has impacted their lives.

New Mexico counts on its State Auditor but exactly what does our elected state auditor do? As part of our ongoing civics education series, the Children’s Hour kids interviewed New Mexico State Auditor Brian Colon live in studio. We also learned about hair discrimination.

What is a State Governor's job, and how do her decisions impact kids? The Children's Hour kids crew members Lila and Sienna Allen sat down with New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to find out what her plan is to improve the lives of children across our state. Learn what's going to happen with state assessment tests, and what her plans are for addressing climate change.

How does a state's Legislature work? New Mexico State Representative Elizabeth Thomson, and the Wild Friends of New Mexico help us understand the process of making an idea into a law using the legislative process. Kids in Wild Friends have teamed up with Rep. Thomson this year to try to protect New Mexico pollinators. Learn how kids can be a part of their effort and how to participate in the State of New Mexico Legislative Session.

This week on The Children's Hour we learn about how some Albuquerque 4th and 5th graders are riding bikes to learn literacy and cultural education through a special after school program called Story Riders. We also got an update from Our Children's Trust about the children who are suing the Federal Government for not doing enough to curb climate change, and violating the civil rights of children across our nation.

This week on The Children's Hour we learn what a treasurer does. Bernalillo County Treasurer Nancy Bearce explains her work. It's more than just collecting property taxes. Find out how a government treasurer's work impacts every person in the district, including kids. Also John Lanza, author of The Art of Allowance, explains how kids can be treasurers for themselves, and how parents can help. Find out how much kids should be saving, spending and sharing and how simple tools like clear glass jars can help kids develop money smart management to last a lifetime.

This week on The Children’s Hour, we learn how elections work with Bernalillo County Clerk Linda Stover who explains the whole process. Also, what happens when three field reporters head into the Rio Grande Community Farm corn maze? They get lost!

We hear a lot about privacy in the news, but what is it? Do kids have the right to their privacy? How can kids preserve their privacy online, and what difference does it make anyway?  The ACLU New Mexico explains privacy on this episode of The Children’s Hour. Understand privacy in the digital era, especially as it affects children.  Plus, learn about one of the founders of the ACLU, Helen Keller.

The Children's Hour Kids Crew are joined by kids who are actively trying to save the planet as part of Our Children's Trust. Aji Piper joined us from Seattle to talk about the lawsuit that he and 19 other kids are involved with to hold governments accountable for pollution. The kids are winning their cases, and that's good news for us all.

What does a sitting US Senator actually do? Direct from Washington DC, Senator Martin Heinrich will field questions from our intrepid crew.