Burying undies and grassy art

On today’s episode we’ll meet some teenagers gaining skills and helping their community at the same time. Then we’ll be farming, but not for apples or corn... we’ll be aura farming. Yep! Plus, we’re headed to “the festival state” for Talk of the Town. If you’re not sure which state that is... listen on! Quiz Questions1.What do kids learn about in the first 2 weeks of the construction course? 2.What are these people farming? 3.In which state or territory would you find Stirling, in the Adelaide Hills? Answers1.They learn about mental wellbeing.2.Aura3.South AustraliaNews NoodlerAura is a tricky term to describe... can you have a go at coming up with a definition of Aura with the people around you? 

Today’s episode features some big news about screen time that might be changing things at your school. We’ll stay off the screens as we visit a unique vending machine that’s full of something a little surprising, and definitely not edible. And then we’ll leave modern screens behind as we head back to prehistoric times for a dinoriffic, pooptastic Wow of the Week.Quiz Questions1. With this new idea, are New South Wales public school kids likely to have more time or less time on screens in school?2.In which state or territory would you find this book vending machine?3.What’s the technical term for fossilised poo? Hint: It starts with C. Answers1.Less.2.Queensland3.CoproliteNews NoodlerDo you think the book vending machine will be popular? Why? What else could you make a vending machine for? 

In today’s episode, we’ll meet an amateur Aussie astronomer making big discoveries from their backyard. We’ll spend some time with a cute chimpanzee looking for a new family, and then it’s time to whip out any globes or maps of the world lying around, because a big change is coming.Quiz Questions1.How many sides does the decagon wave have?2.Which bone did baby Cassie break?3.Does the new map make Africa look bigger or smaller than it used to look? Answers1.102.Leg3.BiggerNews NoodlerWhy do you think the size of a country on a map has got so many people passionately arguing? What might it mean to the people from countries whose lands seem bigger or smaller in real life? 

Get excited friends, because today’s Talk of the Town takes us far beyond the Australian shoreline – we're headed overseas! Plus, we might be in for a hot hot summer – find out why. And some migrating moths have gone missing! Hear why the scientists tracking them aren’t too worried.  Questions1.Does El Nino mean it will probably be a summer that’s hotter than usual, or cooler than usual?2.How many tagged moths did the scientists find when they came back to check on them?3.On which continent would you find Hong Kong? I’ll give you multiple choice... is it North America, Europe, Asia or Africa? Answers1.Hotter.2.None!3.AsiaNews Noodler - a question to chat about with the people around youCan you guess where the missing moths might be, and what might have happened to them? 

Today’s episode is particularly grassy... we’ll learn about a new sort of burial that’s kinder to the environment. We’ll learn about artists taking unwanted weeds and turning them into art. And find out why thousands of people have been burying their undies in the backyard, for a good cause, of course!Quiz Questions1.What’s the technical term for the roots of mushrooms, used to make the coffin? 2.What’s the name of the invasive grass in the Northern Territory? 3.Why were people burying their undies?Answers1.Mycelium 2.Buffel grass 3.To check on soil health  News Noodler - a question to chat about with the people around youDo you think these mushroom coffins will be a popular choice?

We ask and answer some big questions on today’s episode. We’re encouraged to reach out to the people around us and ask how they’re going for R U OK day. We also ask ‘why is it that famous authors are writing books that might never be read by anyone alive today?’  And ‘how can we save a weird, waddley owl-parrot from extinction’?  You’ll have to listen to find out! Questions1.Do you have to wait until R U OK day to check on someone?2.Where will they get the paper to print these books in 100 years?3.How often does a kakapo have baby chicks? Answers1.Nope, you can reach out to your friends whenever you think is right.2.From special trees planted nearby. 3.About once every 3-5 years.  News Noodler – a question to chat about with the people around you.  Why do you think artists and authors are making things that they can’t share with anyone alive today? 

In today’s episode we’re spending some time outdoors with a group of lucky school kids getting up close and personal with nature. We’ll travel back in time to learn something new about the extinct Tasmanian Tiger, and then it’s time for Talk of the Town. I wonder where we’re headings today? Quiz Questions1.How often did the year 1 students get to have class outside?2.Do the researchers think Thylacines would be better snapping up bigger or smaller animals as prey?3.In which state would you find Manly, Sydney?Answers1.Once a week2.Smaller3.New South WalesNews NoodlerWhat are the pros and cons – the good things and the bad things – about spending more class time outside?

On today’s episode, we’ll meet some kind canines helping other dogs, and we’ll kick a footy around with some budding Aussie rules athletes in the Top End.  Plus, your Wow of the Week is about a sound that’s constantly around you, that you’ve never heard... Quiz Questions1.In which state or territory are young girls getting into AFL?2.Can all dogs donate blood?3.What is causing the Earth’s hum? Answers1.Northern Territory2.No, only fit and healthy adult dogs3.Ocean swells/ wavesNews NoodlerDo you think there might be other sounds swirling around that you can’t hear? What else might make low-frequency sounds on planet Earth? 

In today’s episode, we’ll hear about some strange cookies that you might think can’t be eaten, but actually can! We’ll hear news about some mushrooms that you might think can be eaten, but can’t. And we’ll visit a writer’s festival all about books – no confusion there, you definitely shouldn’t eat books. Quiz Questions1. What are the three words that refer to plants, animals and mushrooms? All starting with F.2.Where is the Blak and Bright festival being held?3.What are the NASA cookies made using – plastic and what? Hint – it starts with Y. Answers1.Flora, Fauna and Funga2.Melbourne, Naarm3.YeastNews Noodler Why do you think scientists are researching more ways to feed astronauts in space? What are some challenges they might be trying to solve? 

We’re on the move in today’s episode – first, we’ll join a fun community bike ride for a good cause. Then we’re off the bikes and on to the racing track for a run with a speedy robot! And finally, we’ll travel to the bottom of the mainland of Australia for Talk of the Town... and remember, if you’d like your town to be the star of Talk of the Town, ask your grown up to head to the News Time page on the ABC kids listen website.Quiz Questions1. Who has the speedy robot managed to run faster than?2.Who are the bike-riding kids raising money for this year?3.In which state would you find Melbourne? Answers1.Usain Bolt2.Royal Flying Doctor Service3.VictoriaNews NoodlerWhy do you think mechanics are working so hard on getting robots to do things like dance and run? What’s the point of that sort of thing?