What are planets made of? 🌏  What makes a planet a dwarf planet? And why isn’t Pluto a planet anymore? If we could live on one of the other planets in our solar system, what would it be like? 🪐 Anika and Esther find out all the amazing facts about planets with Dr Tanya Hill who is astronomer at the Melbourne Planetarium at Scienceworks. This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Scienceworks. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au    Guest: Dr Tanya Hill - astronomer at the Melbourne Planetarium at ScienceworksHosts: Anika and Esther   Production: Cinnamon Nippard   Sound design: Josh Newth   Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What IS an allergy? What’s the difference between an allergy and an intolerance or a sensitivity? Even though there's no cure for allergies, find out how Australian researchers are helping people. Esther and Anika find out all the interesting facts about allergies with Dr Catriona Nguyen-Robertson who is an immunologist at Scienceworks. This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Scienceworks. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au  Guest: Dr Catriona Nguyen-Robertson - immunologist at Scienceworks.Hosts: Anika and Esther   Production: Cinnamon Nippard   Sound Design: Josh Newth   Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allergies

Planets

Why are bubbles rainbow colours? What does a bubbleologist do? Find out which animals use bubbles and how to make the best bubbles at home? Anika and Esther find out all the bouncy facts about bubbles with Mei Liu from Scienceworks. This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Scienceworks. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au   Guest: Mei Liu from Scienceworks.Hosts: Anika and Esther   Production: Cinnamon Nippard   Sound design: Josh Newth   Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bubbles

How does a rocketship actually work? Did you know that getting a spacecraft 🚀 to the international space station, is a bit like throwing a ball to your team-mate on the basketball court. 🏀  Anika and Esther find out all the riveting facts about rocketships with Douglas Bair from Scienceworks. This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Scienceworks. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au  Guest: Douglas Bair from Scienceworks.Hosts: Anika and Esther   Production: Cinnamon Nippard   Sound design: Josh Newth   Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rocketships

Did you know that kids have more bones than adults? What are skeletons for anyway? And what are bones made of?  Anika and Esther find out all the bone-tastic facts about skeletons with Dr Hazel Richards who is a paleontologist at Melbourne Museum. This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Melbourne Museum. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au  Guests: Dr Hazel Richards - paleontologist at Melbourne Museum. Hosts: Anika and Esther   Production: Cinnamon Nippard   Sound design: Josh Newth   Executive Producer: Lorna ClarksonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Skeletons

Did you know that crabs don't just live in rock pools or in sand at the beach, they can also live in deserts, rainforests and in the depths of the oceans!  Anika and Esther find out all the incredible crab facts with Jo Taylor from the Museums Victoria Research Institute. This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Melbourne Museum. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au  Guests: Jo Taylor, Manager of the Natural Sciences collections at the Museums Victoria Research Institute.Hosts: Anika and Esther   Production: Cinnamon Nippard   Sound design: Josh Newth   Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crabs

What was music first recorded onto? How does a microphone work? What's the difference between analogue and digital music?Anika and Esther find out all the amazing facts with Simon Pampena who is a mathematician, a stand-up comedian, and a science communicator at Scienceworks.This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Scienceworks. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.auGuest: Simon Pampena is a mathematician and a stand-up comedian, and a science communicator at Scienceworks Hosts: Anika and Esther Production: Cinnamon Nippard Sound design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna ClarksonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spin, Tape, Stream

Did you know that dragonflies are the fastest insect in the world? Just how fast can they fly? Why are their wings so special?  Anika and Esther find out all the amazing dragonfly facts with Dr Claire Keely from Melbourne Museum.    This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Melbourne Museum. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au  Guest: Dr Claire Keely who is a Collection Manager of Invertebrates at the Museums Victoria Research Institute  Hosts: Anika and Esther   Production: Cinnamon Nippard   Sound design: Josh Newth   Executive Producer: Lorna ClarksonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dragonflies

How many stars are there? How do we count them? Why do stars twinkle? Anika and Esther find out all the celestial facts about stars with Dr Tanya Hill who is an astronomer at the Melbourne Planetarium at Scienceworks.   Guest: Dr Tanya Hill who is an astronomer at the Melbourne Planetarium at Scienceworks. Hosts: Anika and Esther  Production: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound design: Josh Newth  Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stars

How big were Megalodon sharks? What did they eat for lunch? Were humans alive when Megalodon sharks roamed the oceans? Anika and Esther find out all the fantastic facts about Megalodon with Tim Ziegler who is a palaeontologist and geologist at Melbourne Museum  This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Melbourne Museum. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au  Guest: Tim Ziegler who is a palaeontologist and geologist at Melbourne Museum Hosts: Anika and Esther  Production: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound design: Josh Newth  Executive Producer: Lorna ClarksonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Megalodon

Did you know that not all animals fart?! What is a fart and why do we do them? How do our bodies make poo?  Anika and Esther investigate poo with Douglas Bair from Scienceworks who gives them all the stinky facts!  This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Scienceworks. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au  Guest: Douglas Bair from ScienceworksHosts: Anika and Esther Production: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are they called ladybirds, ladybugs or ladybeetles?? Why do farmers think ladybeetles are lucky? And why are ladybeetles brightly coloured? Anika and Dexter find out all the amazing facts about tiny colourful ladybeetles with Dr Ken Walker who is Senior Curator of Entomology at the Museums Victoria Research Institute. This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Melbourne Museum. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au   Guest: Dr Ken Walker – Senior Curator of Entomology at the Museums Victoria Research InstituteHosts: Anika and Esther Production: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna ClarksonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ladybeetles

How do car engines work? What about electric cars? How have cars changed cities? And when were seatbelts invented?  Rev up your curiosity in this fact-filled episode!  Anika and Dexter investigate cars with Matilda Vaughan who is Curator of Engineering with the History &amp; Technology team at the Museums Victoria Research Institute.  This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Scienceworks. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au  Guest: Matilda Vaughan who is Curator of Engineering with the History &amp; Technology team at the Museums Victoria Research Institute Hosts: Anika and Esther Production: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna ClarksonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cars

They sound like a kind of dinosaur – what kind of animal were Ichthyosaurs? When was the very first Ichthyosaur fossil discovered and by who?   Anika and Esther get the lowdown on Ichthyosaurs from Tim Ziegler who is a palaeontologist and geologist at Melbourne Museum  This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Melbourne Museum. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au  Guest: Tim Ziegler who is a palaeontologist and geologist at Melbourne Museum Hosts: Anika and Esther  Production: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound design: Josh Newth  Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ichthyosaurs

Where does light come from? How do glow sticks work? And how do sunsets get their colours?  Anika and Esther find out all the illuminating facts about light with Mei Liu from Scienceworks! This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Scienceworks. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au  Guest: Mei Liu who is an Exhibitions Experience Developer at Scienceworks. Hosts: Anika and Esther Production: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Light

What is a continent? How do they form? What was the super continent Gondwana like? Why did it break up?   In this episode, Anika and Esther find out all about the super continent Gondwana with Rolf Schmidt who is a palaeontologist and geologist at Melbourne Museum.  This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Melbourne Museum. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au     Enjoy a new episode every fortnight, and if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au    Guest: Rolf Schmidt, palaeontologist and geologist at Melbourne Museum Hosts: Anika and Esther  Production: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound design: Josh Newth  Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gondwana

What are crystals? What’s the difference between crystals, minerals and rocks? How do crystals form and get their shape?Join Anika and Dexter as they learn all about crystals with Dermot Henry who is a geologist and Head of Sciences at Museums Victoria. This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Melbourne Museum. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au Guest: Dermot Henry who is a geologist and Head of Sciences at Museums Victoria Production: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crystals

Can exercise make us smarter? How can exercise make us happy? Where does the word muscle come from? And what exercise should we do? Find out what exercise actually does to our bodies with Catriona Nguyen-Robertson from Scienceworks who fills in Anika and Dexter on all the excellent facts! This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Scienceworks. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au Guest: Catriona Nguyen-Robertson from Scienceworks Hosts: Anika and Dexter  Production: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exercise

What is a Welcome to Country? What is Country and why is it important? What’s the difference between an Acknowledgment of Country and a Welcome to Country?  Join Anika and Dexter as they learn all about this special ceremony with Di-Di Vaha’akolo who is a First Peoples Programs Officer at Melbourne Museum. This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Melbourne Museum. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au Guest: Di-Di Vaha’akolo, First Peoples Programs Officer at Melbourne Museum Production: Cinnamon Nippard Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna ClarksonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Country

What is a moon? Why does the moon shine at night? Do other planets have moons too?Find out all the incredible facts about moons Join Anika and Dexter as they find our all the illuminating facts about moons with Sara Webb from Scienceworks.This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Scienceworks. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au. Guest: Sara Webb, astronomer at Swinburne University of Technology and the Melbourne Planetarium at Scienceworks Hosts: Anika and Dexter Production: Cinnamon Nippard Sound Design: Josh NewthExecutive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moons

This episode will be sure to spark your curiosity! 

What is electricity? How do lightbulbs work? And why do we get a shock from static electricity?  

Plug into this fun episode where Anika and Dexter investigate electricity with Tom Lang from Scienceworks who gives them all the zap-tastic facts! 

This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Scienceworks. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au. 

Hosts: Anika and Dexter  

Production: Cinnamon Nippard  

Sound Design: Josh Newth 

Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  

 

And if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au 

 

Hear it first on LiSTNR. 

Listen ad-free on Kinderling.  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Electricity

What is the difference between venom and poison? Why do they exist? How can venom and poison help us? And why are there so many venomous creatures in Australia?

In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Tim Jackson who venom at the Australian Venom Research Unit. Press play to find out all the amazing facts about venom and poison.

Enjoy a new episode every fortnight, and if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au 

Guest: Dr Tim Jackson, evolutionary toxinologist at the Australian Venom Research Unit. 
Hosts: Anika and Dexter 
Production: Cinnamon Nippard 
Sound design: Josh Newth 
Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Venom and Poison

How deep is the deepest part of the ocean? What creatures live down there and why do they look so strange? 

In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Melanie MacKenzie who is a marine biologist at Melbourne Museum. Join them as they get the low down on in deep sea creatures!  

This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Melbourne Museum. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au. 

Enjoy a brand new fact-filled episode every fortnight, and if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au

Enjoy a brand new fact-filled episode every fortnight, and if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.a

Guest: Melanie MacKenzie is a marine biologist at Museums Victoria. 

Hosts: Anika and Dexter 

Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard 

Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deep Sea Creatures

Tune in to learn some cool facts about fire! Like how does fire work? How do you stop a fire? And can eucalyptus trees really explode?

In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Grant Williamson who studies wildfires and climate change at the university of Tasmania.

Press play to kindle your curiosity so you can learn all the fantastic facts about fire.

Enjoy a brand new fact-filled episode every fortnight, and if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au

Guest: Grant Williamson who studies wildfires and climate change at the university of Tasmania

Hosts: Anika and Dexter

Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard

Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fire

*Premium episode 

Are seahorses really horses? Why do seahorses have curly tails? Do dad seahorses really have babies instead of the mums? 

In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with marine biologist Mitch Brennen. Push play to swim into all the amazing facts about seahorses. 

Enjoy a brand new fact-filled episode every fortnight, and if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au

Guest: Mitch Brennan who is a marine biologist at the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and University of Technology, Sydney 

Hosts: Anika and Dexter 

Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard 

Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seahorses

Are koalas bears? Why do they have such fluffy ears? What’s the pouch for? And why do koalas sleep all the time? 

In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with zoologist Chris Humfrey. Press play to climb into all the amazing facts about one of Australia’s most iconic animals. 

Enjoy a brand new fact-filled episode every fortnight, and if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au

Guest: Zoologist Chris Humfrey 

Hosts: Anika and Dexter 

Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard 

Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Koalas

What is the sun made of? Why do we get sunburnt? And why do we have a day and a night? 

 

In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Tanya Hill who is an astronomer at the Melbourne Planetarium at Scienceworks. Join them as they zoom into all the scorching facts about the sun! 

This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Scienceworks. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au. 

To enjoy ALL the free and Premium episodes, ad-free, subscribe now to Kinderling Premium! 

And if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au 

Guest: Dr Tanya Hill who is an astronomer at the Melbourne Planetarium at Scienceworks 

Hosts: Anika and Dexter 

Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard 

Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sun

In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Lindsay Murray is an animal psychologist at the University of Chester in the UK. 

Press play andleapinto all the amazing facts about reindeer, including: can they really fly? Rudolph’s noise turned red – can that really happen? And were Santa’s reindeer boys or girls? 

Enjoy a brand new fact-filled episode every fortnight, and if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au

Guest: Lindsay Murray is an animal psychologist at the University of Chester in the UK 

Hosts: Anika and Dexter 

Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard 

Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reindeer

Are seastars the same as star fish? Where are their eyes? And can they really grow their arms back?

In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Melanie MacKenzie who is a marine biologist at Museums Victoria. Join them as they dive into all the amazing facts about seastars!

This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Melbourne Museum.

To enjoy ALL the free and Premium episodes – ad-free, subscribe now to Kinderling Premium!

 

And if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au

Guest: Melanie MacKenzie is a marine biologist at Museums Victoria.

Hosts: Anika and Dexter

Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard

Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seastars

How did Triceratops get its name? Did Triceratops live with cave men? And what's that big frill for anyway?

In this episode, Anika and Dexter meet up with Erich Fitzgerald who studies dinosaurs and fossils at Melbourne Museum. Press play to hear all the terrific facts about Triceratops.

Enjoy a brand new fact-filled episode every fortnight, and if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au. 

Guest: Erich Fitzgerald (Melbourne Museum) 

Hosts: Anika and Dexter 

Producer: Cinnamon Nippard 

Sound Design: Darcy Milne 

Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Triceratops

In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Vanessa Pirotta who is a wildlife scientist and science communicator. 

Press play to dive into all the amazing facts about whales, including: can whales sing? How do they breathe? Do they have teeth? And why are some whales so bumpy? 

Enjoy a brand new fact-filled episode every fortnight, and if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au

Guest: Vanessa Pirotta who is a wildlife scientist and science communicator. 

Hosts: Anika and Dexter 

Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard 

Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whales

In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Kirsten Banks who fills us in on the inescapable facts about black holes! 

Press play to hear all the mysterious facts like: What is a blackhole? What would happen if you fell into one? And, could a black hole eat the earth....? 

Enjoy a brand new fact-filled episode every fortnight, and if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au

Guest: Kirsten Banks - Wiradjuri astrophysicist and science communicator
Hosts: Anika and Dexter  

Producer: Cinnamon Nippard 
Sound Design: Darcy Milne
Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black Holes

In this episode, Anika and Dexter chat to Mel Slarp who tells us all about plants!

Press play to hear all the plant-astic facts about plants like: How is a weed different to a plant? What’s a seed and how is it created? And can plants grow in space?   


Enjoy a brand new fact-filled episode every fortnight, and if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au
 
Guest: Mel Slarp - Lead, Education &amp; Engagement 
Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan  Botanic Gardens Greater Sydney 
Hosts: Anika and Dexter 
Producer: Cinnamon Nippard 
Sound Design: Darcy Milne 
Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plants

In this episode, Anika and Dexter talk to Grey Fisher who tells us just how amazing kangaroos are! 

Press play to hear all the cool facts about kangaroos, including: Can kangaroos really swim? What do kangaroos sound like? And, how far and fast can they hop?   

Enjoy a brand new fact-filled episode every fortnight, and if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au

Guest: Grey Fisher - senior zookeeper at Taronga Zoo 
Hosts: Anika and Dexter 
Producer: Cinnamon Nippard 
Sound Design: Darcy Milne 
Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kangaroos

In this episode, Anika and Dexter chat to Renee Cawthorne who tells us all about Australian Bushfoods! 

Push play to listen to all the terrific facts about Aussie bushfoods like: How do First Nations people know which plants are safe to eat? Which native plants are the yummiest? And which plants can be used for medicine?  

Enjoy a brand new fact-filled episode every fortnight, and if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au

Guest: Renee Cawthorne who is a proud Wiradjuri woman and Manager of First Nations Education and Engagement at the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. 
Hosts: Anika and Dexter 
Producer: Cinnamon Nippard 
Sound Design: Darcy Milne 
Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Bushfoods

Are you sick of not knowing all the answers? Well the Fact Detectives are back with their 'catchiest' topic yet - viruses. What's the difference between viruses and germs? How do they spread? And what DO they have in common with zombies!?

In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with immunologist Catriona Nguyen-Robertson from Scienceworks. Join them as they find out all the nitty gritty facts about viruses! 

This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Scienceworks. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au. 

To enjoy ALL the free and Premium episodes – ad-free, subscribe now to Kinderling Premium!

And if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au

Guest: Immunologist Catriona Nguyen-Robertson from Scienceworks 

Hosts: Anika and Dexter 

Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard 

Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Viruses

In this episode, Anika and Dexter chat to Kirsten Banks who fills us in on the wonderful world of Aboriginal Astronomy! Australia's First Peoples have been studying the night sky for tens of thousands of years.

Press play to find out all the cool facts about Aboriginal astronomy, including: What can the night sky teach us about the land, plants and animals? What do Aboriginal peoples see when they look at the stars? Do constellations always have stars in them?

Enjoy a brand new fact-filled episode every fortnight, and if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au

Guest: Kirsten Banks - Wiradjuri astrophysicist and science communicator 
Hosts: Anika and Dexter 
Producer: Cinnamon Nippard 
Sound Design: Darcy Milne 
Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aboriginal Astronomy

Please note: this episode of the Fact Detectives was recorded just before the recent eruption of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano in Tonga. The Fact Detectives team is keeping the people of Tonga, and others affected by the eruption, in our thoughts at this difficult time.   

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is a volcano? Are there any volcanoes in Australia? Could lava take over the whole world? 

In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Oskar Lindenmayer who is a geologist at Melbourne Museum. Join them as they bubble into all the boiling hot facts about volcanoes! 

This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Melbourne Museum. To find out more about the world around you, head to museumsvictoria.com.au. 

To enjoy ALL the free and Premium episodes – ad-free, subscribe now to Kinderling Premium! 

And if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au

Guest: Oskar Lindenmayer who is a geologist at Museums Victoria. 

Hosts: Anika and Dexter 

Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard 

Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Volcanoes

In this episode, Anika and Dexter chat to Grey Fisher whoooooo tells us just how awesome owls are!

Press play to hear all the cool facts about owls, including: Why do owls only come out at night? Can owls really see in the dark? And, can owls really turn their heads all the way around?  

Enjoy a brand new fact-filled episode every fortnight, and if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au

Guest: Grey Fisher - senior zookeeper at Taronga Zoo 
Hosts: Anika and Dexter 
Producer: Cinnamon Nippard 
Sound Design: Darcey Milne 
Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Owls

In this episode, Anika and Dexter chat to Mat Bate who fills us in on all the fascinating facts about seaweed. 

Hit play to listen to all the cool facts about seaweed, including: Is the slimy seaweed on the beach the same as sushi seaweed? How big can seaweed grow? And, can seaweed really save the world?  

Enjoy a brand new fact-filled episode every fortnight, and if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au

Guest: Mat Bate (Author of the book: ‘With a Little Kelp from my Friends’) 

Hosts: Anika and Dexter 

Producer: Cinnamon Nippard 

Sound Design: Darcey Milne 

Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seaweed

In this episode, Anika and Dexter chat to Candace Richards who wraps up all the facts about animal mummies. 

Press play to listen to all the intriguing facts about animal mummies, including: Why were animals mummified in Ancient Egypt? How were they mummified? How do you know what’s inside a mummy if you don’t unwrap it? 

Enjoy a brand new fact-filled episode every fortnight, and if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au

Guest: Candace Richards (Chau Chak Wing Museum)

Hosts: Anika and Dexter 

Producer: Cinnamon Nippard 

Sound Design: Darcey Milne 

Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Animal Mummies

In this episode, Anika and Dexter chat to Emily Best who takes care of sharks and marine animals. 

Hit play to listen to all the super facts about sharks, including: Do sharks really not have bones? How are sharks different from other fish? Can you pat a shark? 

Enjoy a brand new fact-filled episode every fortnight, and if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au

Guest: Emily Best (Sea Life Aquarium Sydney) 

Hosts: Anika and Dexter 

Producer: Cinnamon Nippard 

Sound Design: Darcey Milne 

Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sharks

How many colours are in a rainbow? Can you touch a rainbow? Is there really a pot of gold at the end? 

In this episode The Fact Detectives find out all the colourful facts about rainbows from Rosa Zwier from Scienceworks. 

The Fact Detectives are taking a short break but don’t worry, they’ll be back before you know it with lots more amazing facts. In the meantime, enjoy all twenty episodes.

A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rainbows

Do peacock spiders really dance? Are they dangerous? What kind of spiders are they? 

In this episode The Fact Detectives find out all the flashy facts about peacock spiders from Joseph Schubert who is a Legacy Registration Officer for Entomology and Arachnology at Museums Victoria. (That means he studies bugs and spiders!)

And big thanks to Sam, Hugo and Archie for suggesting The Fact Detectives investigate peacock spiders!

 A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peacock Spiders

What is wind? Do plants really vomit out air? Is there air in space? 

In this episode The Fact Detectives find out all the breezy facts about air from Rosa Zwier from Scienceworks. 

A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can snakes really dislocate their jaws? Do lizard tails really just drop off? Are snakes and lizards friends? 

In this episode The Fact Detectives find out all the slithery facts about snakes and lizards from Dr Jane Melville who studies reptiles at Museums Victoria. 

 A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Snakes and lizards

What is a possum skin cloak? How and why are they made? And why are they important to the First Peoples of south-eastern Australia? 

In this episode The Fact Detectives chat to Di-Di Vaha'akolo who is a programs officer in the First PeoplesDepartment at Museums Victoria. Di-Di is a proud Yorta Yorta, Wemba Wemba, Taungurong, Tongan and Fiji-Indian woman.  

 A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Possum Skin Cloaks

Are cockroaches really dirty pests? Can they actually survive a nuclear blast? And why are they so flat?! 

In this episode The Fact Detectives scuttle through all the quirky facts about cockroaches with entomologist, Simon Hinkley, at Museums Victoria. A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cockroaches

Is there really a spider as big as a bird?! Why do spiders build webs? How strong is spider silk really? 

In this episode The Fact Detectives untangle a web of incredible facts about spiders with entomologist, Ken Walker, at Museums Victoria. 

If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps!  

And if you have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au. 

A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spiders

Are meteorites really alien rocks? What’s the difference between a shooting star, a meteor and a comet?  

In this episode The Fact Detectives find out about meteorites - and meteor-wrongs! - with Dermot Henry, Head of Sciences at Museums Victoria.

A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meteorites

Master builders? Amazing gardeners? Supersonic strength? Is there anything ants can’t do? 

In this episode The Fact Detectives find out all the f-ANT-astic facts with Simon Hinkley. A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ants

Are sea spiders actually spiders? And how do they eat with no mouth? 

In this episode The Fact Detectives find out the spindly underwater facts about sea spiders with marine biologist Melanie MacKenzie. A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sea Spiders

How many colours are in a rainbow? Can you touch a rainbow? Is there really a pot of gold at the end?  In this episode The Fact Detectives chat to Rosa Zwier from Scienceworks  Listen now to find out all the colourful facts about rainbows!  The Fact Detectives are taking a short break but don’t worry!  They’ll be back before you know it with lots more amazing facts.  In the meantime, if you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now and listen to all twenty episodes. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps!    A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do peacock spiders really dance? Are they dangerous? What kind of spiders are they?  In this episode The Fact Detectives chat to Joseph Schubert who is a Legacy Registration Officer for Entomology and Arachnology at Museums Victoria. (That means he studies bugs and spiders!)  Listen now to find out all the flashy facts about peacock spiders! And big thanks to Sam, Hugo and Archie for asking The Fact Detectives to investigate peacock spiders! If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps!   A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is wind? Do plants really vomit out air? Is there air in space?  In this episode The Fact Detectives chat to Rosa Zwier from Scienceworks.   Listen now to find out all the breezy facts about air!  If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps!   A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can snakes really dislocate their jaws to eat things bigger than themselves? Do lizard tails really just drop off? Are snakes and lizards friends?   In this episode The Fact Detectives chat to Dr Jane Melville who studies reptiles at Museums Victoria.   Listen now to find out all the slithery facts about snakes and lizards!  If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps!   A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is a possum skin cloak? How and why are they made? And why are they important to the First Peoples of south-eastern Australia?  In this episode The Fact Detectives chat to Di-Di Vaha'akolo who is a programs officer in the First PeoplesDepartment at Museums Victoria. Di-Di is a proud Yorta Yorta, Wemba Wemba, Taungurong, Tongan and Fiji-Indian woman.   Listen now to find out about all the awesome facts about possum skin cloaks!  If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps!   A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can cockroaches really survive a nuclear blast? Why are they so flat? Do their butts have a special superpower?   In this episode The Fact Detectives scuttle through all the fascinating facts about cockroaches with entomologist, Simon Hinkley, at Museums Victoria.   Listen now to find out about all the awesome facts about cockroaches!  If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps!   A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is there really a spider as big as a bird?! Why do spiders build webs? How strong is spider silk really? In this episode The Fact Detectives untangle a web of incredible facts about spiders with entomologist, Ken Walker, at Museums Victoria.  If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps!     A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are meteorites really alien rocks? What’s the difference between a shooting star, a meteor and a comet?   In this episode The Fact Detectives find out about meteorites - and meteor-wrongs! - with Dermot Henry, Head of Sciences at Museums Victoria.   Listen now to find out all about the awesome facts about meteorites! If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps!   A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Master builders? Amazing gardeners? Supersonic strength? Is there anything ants can’t do?  In this episode The Fact Detectives dig down deep into the magical world of ants with Simon Hinkley who studies bugs and spiders at Museums Victoria.   Listen now to find out all the f-ANT-astic facts about ants!  If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps!    A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are sea spiders really spiders? How do they eat with no mouth? And what is an eye tower?   In this episode The Fact Detectives head underwater to find out the facts about sea spiders with Melanie MacKenzie who looks after Museums Victoria’s collection of marine life such as sea stars and sponges.  Listen now to find out all the spindly facts about sea spiders!  If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps!     A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Double lives? Anti-freeze blood? More deadly than a shark? 

In this episode The Fact Detectives find out the ribbiting facts about frogs from Stephanie Versteegan. A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frogs

Do frogs lead double lives? Why don’t they freeze in the snow? And is a tiny, cute frog really one of the most dangerous creatures in the world?   In this episode The Fact Detectives find out all the slimy facts about frogs from Stephanie Versteegan who takes care of live exhibits like frogs and lizards at Museums Victoria.   Listen now to find out all the ribbiting facts about frogs!  If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps!   A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Was the earth once a giant snowball? Were there really volcanoes that erupted for MILLIONS of years? And were there really waves as high as skyscrapers?!  In this episode The Fact Detectives find out all the cold hard facts about Ice Ages from Rolf Schmidt – a geologist who looks after the fossil collection of invertebrates at Museums Victoria.   If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps!  A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ice Ages

What happened when the world had volcanoes that erupted for MILLIONS of years, and waves as high as skyscrapers?!  

The Fact Detectives get all the cold, hard facts from Rolf Schmidt about ice ages. A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are sea cucumbers the same as sea slugs...? And do they really breathe through their butts? In this episode The Fact Detectives find out the answers to these questions and more, with Melanie MacKenzie - a marine biologist at Museums Victoria who looks after collections of sea stars and sponges and more . If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps!  A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sea Cucumbers

Slugs of the sea? Butt breathing? The Fact Detectives get all the quirky facts from Melanie MacKenzie in this underwater episode. A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does lightning smell? What colour is it? The Fact Detectives get all the facts from Rosa Zwier in this electric episode. A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lightning

What is lightning? Does it have a smell? Should I hide under the bed in a storm…? In this episode, The Fact Detectives get some super exciting, electric-charged facts from Rosa Zwier who is a presenter at Scienceworks. Listen now to find out what other bolts of information struck The Fact Detectives! If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps!    A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Killer bees? Honey or no honey? The Fact Detectives get the ‘buzz’ on bees from entomologist Ken Walker. A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bees

What's the difference between a bee and a wasp? How many bees does it take to make a teaspoon of honey? Why do bees sting? In this episode the Fact Detectives chat to Ken Walker, an entomologist at Museums Victoria. Listen now to find out the buzz about bees! A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are fossils just old dinosaur bones? Why do fossils go to hospital? The Fact Detectives chat to Tim Ziegler, a palaeontologist at Melbourne Museum, about the importance of fossils. A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fossils

Are fossils just old dinosaur bones? Why do fossils go to hospital? How can old things help us plan the future? In this episode the Fact Detectives chat to Tim Ziegler, a palaeontologist at Melbourne Museum, about the importance of fossils. Listen now to find out what else the Fact Detectives ‘dug up’ ...  If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps!  A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why was Melbourne in Australia once known as Smellbourne? And where does our poo and wee go when we flush? Marita Dyson from Melbourne Museum clears up all these smelly mysteries and more! A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Toilets

Why was Melbourne in Australia once known as Smellbourne? What does a Night Soil person do? And where does our poo and wee go when we flush?   The Fact Detectives find out all this and more when they meet Marita Dyson from Melbourne Museum who clears up all these smelly mysteries and more. Listen now to find out what other cool facts the Fact Detectives ‘flush’ out!  A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could a shark grow as big as a bus? Did monster kangaroos once roam the land?! Melbourne Museum paleontologist, Tim Ziegler answers the BIG questions! A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Megafauna

n this episode the Fact Detectives ask some BIG questions about some BIG animals. Like, could a shark grow as big as a bus? Was there really a turtle as big as a hatchback? And did monster kangaroos once roam the land?! The Fact Detectives ask these questions and more when they met up with Melbourne Museum paleontologist, Tim Ziegler. Listen now to find out what other BIG questions the Fact Detectives asked Tim...  A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's a craving? Why do I fart? Microbe expert, Doctor Joanna Simkin, helps the Fact Detectives ‘digest’ all the cool facts. A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gut Microbes

What's a craving? Why do I fart? Do microbes reallly control our brains? The Fact Detectives ask these questions and more when they meet microbe expert, Doctor Joanna Simkin – the manager of Museum Victoria's Health and Medicine collection. Listen now to ‘digest’ all the other cool facts that Joanna shared...  A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Killer butterflies? Moths as big as dinner plates?! The Fact Detectives 'bug' entomologist Ken Walker with these questions and more. A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moths vs Butterflies

Are there killer butterflies? Can a moth really grow as big as a dinner plate?! And is smell-search really a thing? In this episode the Fact Detectives ask these questions and more when they meet the incredible Ken Walker who is an entomologist at Museums Victoria.  Listen now to find out what other questions the Fact Detectives ‘bugged’ Ken with...    A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Home

Discover

Sign up for free to listen for longer

Home

Discover

Sign up for free to listen for longer

Planets

Mark as played

Share

About the episode

View all episodes