Episodes

  • Coronavirus is here - How can you protect yourself?

    Coronavirus is here - How can you protect yourself?
    Feb 28 2020
    Fizzics TWIST is back! This is the second episode in our series of podcast experiments. Let us know what you think!    Coronavirus is here and it can be both scary and confusing. What even are viruses and what make coronavirus different?  In this episode we conduct an experiment about how viruses can be transmitted from person to person, and how you can prevent getting infected.    This episode is curriculum linked from Year 5 to Year 10:   Year 5  Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment (ACSSU043 - Scootle ) Science involves testing predictions by gathering data and using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena and reflects historical and cultural contributions (ACSHE081 - Scootle ) Scientific knowledge is used to solve problems and inform personal and community decisions (ACSHE083 - Scootle ) Identify, plan and apply the elements of scientific investigations to answer questions and solve problems using equipment and materials safely and identifying potential risks (ACSIS086 - Scootle ) Decide variables to be changed and measured in fair tests, and observe measure and record data with accuracy using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS087 - Scootle ) Reflect on and suggest improvements to scientific investigations (ACSIS091 - Scootle )   Year 6  The growth and survival of living things are affected by physical conditions of their environment (ACSSU094 - Scootle ) Science involves testing predictions by gathering data and using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena and reflects historical and cultural contributions (ACSHE098 - Scootle ) Scientific knowledge is used to solve problems and inform personal and community decisions (ACSHE100 - Scootle ) Identify, plan and apply the elements of scientific investigations to answer questions and solve problems using equipment and materials safely and identifying potential risks (ACSIS086 - Scootle ) Decide variables to be changed and measured in fair tests, and observe measure and record data with accuracy using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS087 - Scootle ) Reflect on and suggest improvements to scientific investigations (ACSIS091 - Scootle )   Year 7  Classification helps organise the diverse group of organisms (ACSSU111 - Scootle ) Scientific knowledge has changed peoples’ understanding of the world and is refined as new evidence becomes available Science knowledge can develop through collaboration across the disciplines of science and the contributions of people from a range of cultures (ACSHE223 - Scootle ) Identify questions and problems that can be investigated scientifically and make predictions based on scientific knowledge (ACSIS124 - Scootle ) Collaboratively and individually plan and conduct a range of investigation types, including fieldwork and experiments, ensuring safety and ethical guidelines are followed (ACSIS125 - Scootle ) Measure and control variables, select equipment appropriate to the task and collect data with accuracy (ACSIS126 - Scootle ) Reflect on scientific investigations including evaluating the quality of the data collected, and identifying improvements (ACSIS131 - Scootle ) Use scientific knowledge and findings from investigations to evaluate claims based on evidence (ACSIS132 - Scootle )   Year 8  Cells are the basic units of living things; they have specialised structures and functions (ACSSU149 - Scootle ) Multi-cellular organisms contain systems of organs carrying out specialised functions that enable them to survive and reproduce (ACSSU150 - Scootle ) Scientific knowledge has changed peoples’ understanding of the world and is refined as new evidence becomes available (ACSHE134 - Scootle ) Science knowledge can develop through collaboration across the disciplines of science and the contributions of people from a range of cultures (ACSHE226 - Scootle ) Identify questions and problems that can be investigated scientifically and make predictions based on scientific knowledge (ACSIS139 - Scootle ) Collaboratively and individually plan and conduct a range of investigation types, including fieldwork and experiments, ensuring safety and ethical guidelines are followed (ACSIS140 - Scootle ) Measure and control variables, select equipment appropriate to the task and collect data with accuracy (ACSIS141 - Scootle ) Summarise data, from students’ own investigations and secondary sources, and use scientific understanding to identify relationships and draw conclusions based on evidence (ACSIS145 - Scootle ) Reflect on scientific investigations including evaluating the quality of the data collected, and identifying improvements (ACSIS146 - Scootle ) Use scientific knowledge and findings from investigations to evaluate claims based on evidence (ACSIS234 - Scootle )   Year 9  Multi-cellular organisms rely on coordinated and interdependent internal systems to respond to changes to their environment (...
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    19 mins
  • Experimenting with Nuclear Science with ANSTO!

    Experimenting with Nuclear Science with ANSTO!
    Jan 12 2020
    Fizzics TWIST is back! In this episode we're doing something a little different. Nuclear power has a pretty bad reputation right now, but it might be the energy solution that we need. But wait - how does it work? How does nuclear science work? In this episode we visit ANSTO to learn about nuclear science and build our own cloud chamber (a basic particle detector) to see it in action for ourselves.   This episode is curriculum linked from Year 5 to Year 10:   Year 5  Science involves testing predictions by gathering data and using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena and reflects historical and cultural contributions (ACSHE081) Scientific knowledge is used to solve problems and inform personal and community decisions (ACSHE083) With guidance, pose clarifying questions and make predictions about scientific investigations (ACSIS231) Identify, plan and apply the elements of scientific investigations to answer questions and solve problems using equipment and materials safely and identifying potential risks (ACSIS086) Reflect on and suggest improvements to scientific investigations (ACSIS091)  Year 6  Science involves testing predictions by gathering data and using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena and reflects historical and cultural contributions (ACSHE098) Scientific knowledge is used to solve problems and inform personal and community decisions (ACSHE100) With guidance, pose clarifying questions and make predictions about scientific investigations (ACSIS232)  Identify, plan and apply the elements of scientific investigations to answer questions and solve problems using equipment and materials safely and identifying potential risks (ACSIS103) Reflect on and suggest improvements to scientific investigations (ACSIS108) Year 7  Collaboratively and individually plan and conduct a range of investigation types, including fieldwork and experiments, ensuring safety and ethical guidelines are followed (ACSIS125)  Measure and control variables, select equipment appropriate to the task and collect data with accuracy (ACSIS126)  Reflect on scientific investigations including evaluating the quality of the data collected, and identifying improvements (ACSIS131) Use scientific knowledge and findings from investigations to evaluate claims based on evidence (ACSIS132)   Year 8  Scientific knowledge has changed peoples’ understanding of the world and is refined as new evidence becomes available (ACSHE134) Science knowledge can develop through collaboration across the disciplines of science and the contributions of people from a range of cultures (ACSHE226) Identify questions and problems that can be investigated scientifically and make predictions based on scientific knowledge (ACSIS139) Collaboratively and individually plan and conduct a range of investigation types, including fieldwork and experiments, ensuring safety and ethical guidelines are followed (ACSIS140) Measure and control variables, select equipment appropriate to the task and collect data with accuracy (ACSIS141) Reflect on scientific investigations including evaluating the quality of the data collected, and identifying improvements (ACSIS146)   Year 9  All matter is made of atoms that are composed of protons, neutrons and electrons; natural radioactivity arises from the decay of nuclei in atoms (ACSSU177) Scientific understanding, including models and theories, is contestable and is refined over time through a process of review by the scientific community (ACSHE157) Advances in scientific understanding often rely on technological advances and are often linked to scientific discoveries (ACSHE158) Formulate questions or hypotheses that can be investigated scientifically (ACSIS164) Evaluate conclusions, including identifying sources of uncertainty and possible alternative explanations, and describe specific ways to improve the quality of the data (ACSIS171)   Year 10  Scientific understanding, including models and theories, is contestable and is refined over time through a process of review by the scientific community (ACSHE191) Advances in scientific understanding often rely on technological advances and are often linked to scientific discoveries (ACSHE192) Formulate questions or hypotheses that can be investigated scientifically (ACSIS198) Evaluate conclusions, including identifying sources of uncertainty and possible alternative explanations, and describe specific ways to improve the quality of the data (ACSIS205)     About Fizzics TWIST This Week In Science & Technology, brought to you by the team at Fizzics Education! Fizzics Education is one of Australia's leading science outreach providers of interactive science workshops and shows. Each week we take a look back at the hottest yet coolest science stories. From the supersonic to the glacial, from down to earth to out of this world, and from the ancient world to the distant future, Fizzics TWIST has it covered. Hosted by Duncan Bell, Quill ...
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    27 mins
  • Where's NASA heading to next? Destination MOON!

    Where's NASA heading to next? Destination MOON!
    May 24 2019

    Fizzics TWIST is back! In episode 29 we discuss:

    Don’t Farm Octopuses: Scientists have warned that under no circumstances should we ever farm octopuses. The reasons are more numerous than their tentacles! Haha!

    Destination Moon: Under the direction of venerable dictator Donald Trump, NASA have announced they are going back to the moon. It’s been more than 45 years since we were last there, so why now?


    Dodgy Pineapples: The new Australian $50 dollar note (lovingly known as a ‘pineapple’) has a teeny tiny text problem. But Australian money is still some of the best in the world - and we have the best slang for it too. 

    About Fizzics TWIST

    This Week In Science & Technology, brought to you by the team at Fizzics Education! Fizzics Education is one of Australia's leading science outreach providers of interactive science workshops and shows. Each week we take a look back at the hottest yet coolest science stories. From the supersonic to the glacial, from down to earth to out of this world, and from the ancient world to the distant future, Fizzics TWIST has it covered. Hosted by Duncan Bell, Quill Darby, and the entire Fizzics team.

    http://fizzics.com.au/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    30 mins
  • Why the UN has warned of biological annihilation (and how the dinosaurs really died)

    Why the UN has warned of biological annihilation (and how the dinosaurs really died)
    May 10 2019

    Fizzics TWIST is back! In episode 28 we get very heavy and discuss:

    Biological annihilation: The UN has warned of a 6th global extinction event, but what does this really mean? Are we headed to certain destruction? Will the mosquitoes finally disappear? Quill deconstructs the story. 

    5th extinction fossils: Fossils have been discovered from the very day that the Chicxulub asteroid collided with Earth and kicked off the extinction of the dinosaurs. But what actually happened that day? Duncan talks for a very long time about that catastrophic event. 

    Weird sooth-saying snake: A snake has been discovered with an all-seeing third eye. We attempt to make jokes about it. 

    What Year Is It?: We take a trip down memory lane with a jazz-assisted look at the scientific discoveries from this week in past years. 

    About Fizzics TWIST

    This Week In Science & Technology, brought to you by the team at Fizzics Education! Fizzics Education is one of Australia's leading science outreach providers of interactive science workshops and shows. Each week we take a look back at the hottest yet coolest science stories. From the supersonic to the glacial, from down to earth to out of this world, and from the ancient world to the distant future, Fizzics TWIST has it covered. Hosted by Duncan Bell, Quill Darby, and the entire Fizzics team.

    http://fizzics.com.au/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    30 mins
  • What that fuzzy black hole photo really means

    What that fuzzy black hole photo really means
    May 1 2019

    Fizzics TWIST is back! In episode 27 we get a little bit silly and discuss:

    Far out with Duncan: The first ever photo of a black hole has been released by the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration and while it’s an amazing feat it’s a bit hard to figure out what you’re looking at - Duncan looks past the event horizon to explain what’s going on.

    Veritasium’s excellent explainer video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUyH3XhpLTo

    Professor Alan Duffy on TV: https://www.facebook.com/astroduff/videos/1250228068461523/

    On the Green with Quill: Red meat consumption is plateauing and may decrease significantly over the next few years. Meanwhile, vegan options are getting cheaper and tastier all the time - so what gives? Staunch hippie Quill dives in. 

    ViralGram: Cats are notorious for their fierce independence. Do they even know their own names or do they choose to ignore you? Dog loyalist Quill and avowed cat cynic Duncan explore. 

    About Fizzics TWIST

    This Week In Science & Technology, brought to you by the team at Fizzics Education! Fizzics Education is one of Australia's leading science outreach providers of interactive science workshops and shows. Each week we take a look back at the hottest yet coolest science stories. From the supersonic to the glacial, from down to earth to out of this world, and from the ancient world to the distant future, Fizzics TWIST has it covered. Hosted by Duncan Bell, Quill Darby, and the entire Fizzics team.

    http://fizzics.com.au/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    36 mins
  • Why the first all-female spacewalk never happened

    Why the first all-female spacewalk never happened
    Apr 9 2019

    Fizzics TWIST is back - with special guest Ben Newsome! Ben is the founder and director of Fizzics Education. In episode 26 we discuss:

     

    Why the first all-female spacewalk never happened

    The media went nuts recently about how a planned all-female spacewalk was canceled. It seems like patriarchy has reached even the ISS. But the truth is a little more complicated. 

     

    Do you hear silent GIFs?

    GIFs are silent moving images, but certain GIFs can have 'sounds' for some people. How? Ben takes us through the science. 

     

    Even mosquitoes hate Skrillex

    Skrillex is (in)famous for being a divisive musician. But it looks like mosquitoes are tipping the balance as new research has found that playing Skrillex to mosquitoes reduces both biting and 'copulation activity'

     

    About Fizzics TWIST

    This Week In Science & Technology, brought to you by the team at Fizzics Education! Fizzics Education is one of Australia's leading science outreach providers of interactive science workshops and shows. Each week we take a look back at the hottest yet coolest science stories. From the supersonic to the glacial, from down to earth to out of this world, and from the ancient world to the distant future, Fizzics TWIST has it covered. Hosted by Duncan Bell, Quill Darby, and the entire Fizzics team.

     

    http://fizzics.com.au/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    30 mins
  • What is a Super Worm Equinox Moon anyway?

    What is a Super Worm Equinox Moon anyway?
    Mar 21 2019

    Fizzics TWIST is back! In episode 25 we discuss:

     

    What’s on, Watson?:

    It’s the day of the equinox AND a super moon, giving us a Super Worm Equinox Moon. That was not a Dune reference - that’s what it’s really called. We take a look at what an equinox actually is, and how the super moon got its name.

     

    On the Green with Quill:

    A new coral reef has been found off the coast of Italy. Let’s be honest, it’s not as good as the Great Barrier Reef, but fun to learn about anyway!

     

    ViralGram:

    Not only does playing music to ageing cheese imbue it with a milder taste, but if you play it A Tribe Called Quest then it becomes award-winning. Just don’t play that wheel of cheese any 360! Ha!

     

    Fact of the Week:

    Boil ‘em, mash ‘em, stick ‘em in a stew, eat them for 60 days straight...

     

    About Fizzics TWIST

    This Week In Science & Technology, brought to you by the team at Fizzics Education! Fizzics Education is one of Australia's leading science outreach providers of interactive science workshops and shows. Each week we take a look back at the hottest yet coolest science stories. From the supersonic to the glacial, from down to earth to out of this world, and from the ancient world to the distant future, Fizzics TWIST has it covered. Hosted by Duncan Bell, Quill Darby, and the entire Fizzics team.

     

    http://fizzics.com.au/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    33 mins
  • What does space sound like? How are clouds being cooked? How do we hunt HIV?

    What does space sound like? How are clouds being cooked? How do we hunt HIV?
    Mar 15 2019

    Warning: This episode of Fizzics TWIST contains discussion of HIV/AIDS from 16:00 to 26:30. If you or the person you’re listening with don’t want to hear about this then we suggest skipping that section.

     

    Fizzics TWIST is back!! In episode 24 we discuss:

    Far Out with Duncan:

    NASA have ‘sonified’ an image of space taken by the Hubble telescope. Is it eerie and terrifying or oddly pleasant? You be the judge.

    Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-Ci_YwfH04

    Our Shepard tone podcast: https://www.rode.com/myrodecast/listen/entry/739 or https://apple.co/2HgVV8E

    Extracting sound from video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUzB0L0mSCI

     

    On the Green with Quill:

    Quill is back to fire up about climate change - climate modelling has revealed that if global CO2 levels reach 1300 ppm then clouds start to break apart and this really lets the genie out of the bottle - with sizzling consequences.  

     

    UnTwist:

    A second and possibly third person have been functionally cured of HIV. We untwist this story, explaining the mechanism and the future of HIV treatment using this method.

    Duncan’s article about HIV survivors: http://www.lateralmag.com/articles/issue-24/survivors

     

    What’s on, Watson?:

    Just in time for Women’s History Month, the first spacewalk by an all-female team will take place on March 29.

     

    About Fizzics TWIST

    This Week In Science & Technology, brought to you by the team at Fizzics Education! Fizzics Education is one of Australia's leading science outreach providers of interactive science workshops and shows. Each week we take a look back at the hottest yet coolest science stories. From the supersonic to the glacial, from down to earth to out of this world, and from the ancient world to the distant future, Fizzics TWIST has it covered. Hosted by Duncan Bell, Quill Darby, and the entire Fizzics team.

     

    http://fizzics.com.au/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    30 mins