Blog

Take a look around the zoo and you might spot animals using tools to make their lives easier. Otters use stones to crack into shells, and chimpanzees use sticks to fish up termites. But it’s not just about food. Last week, scientists wrote about a whole new example of tool-use in elephants … and one elephant may be capable of pulling a tool-based prank.

Australia has some of the coolest, cutest and strangest animals in the world. It’s not all kangaroos, crocodiles and cassowaries, though – our insects are amazing too!

If you’ve ever seen the iconic movie The Dish, you’ll probably remember when two engineers turned the most famous telescope in Australia into a cricket pitch. Kids from across New South Wales got a chance to do the same, along with some of Australia’s biggest cricket stars.

Written by Emily Standen Did you know 2016 is the International Year of Pulses? Take your hand off you wrist though – this type of pulse refers to food, not your heartbeat!

Written by Sarah Kellett The eyes have it. Bright, colourful butterflies and birds easily catch our attention. But to visualise bacteria, we need to get creative, and combine art and science.

Wishing all our readers a very happy holiday season, thank you for your support this year. Don’t forget we have loads of DIY science activities on this blog to try over the holiday break.

What happens when your rocket fuel is magnetic force? Our latest video shows you how to make a rocket using super strong rare-earth magnets, skewers, ball bearings and blu-tack. Check it out in slow-mo and watch for something rather curious…

DNA is the blueprint and genetic guide for every living thing, and units of DNA are tiny. So how can we see it with our own eyes? Many DNA units form a long, stringy molecule that is easily visible and easy to extract from particular living things, like peas or a banana.

Electricity, magnets, momentum and cool slow-mo footage. It’s all in our video: take a look!

This may surprise you, but there’s no such thing as suction. In this week’s video we look at what creates ‘suction’; air flow and areas of high and low pressure.