The Fact Detectives

Tune in to learn some hot 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. Guest: Grant Williamson who studies wildfires and climate change at the university of TasmaniaHosts: Anika and DexterProduction and sound design: Cinnamon NippardExecutive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  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.

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. 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.

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. 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.

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. Guest: Zoologist Chris Humfrey Hosts: Anika and Dexter Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard Executive Producer: Lorna ClarksonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  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.

Can reindeer really fly? Do their noses go red like Rudolph’s? And were Santa’s reindeer boys or girls? Anika and Dexter catch up with Lindsay Murray who is an animal psychologist at the University of Chester in the UK. Press play to leap into all the amazing facts about reindeer! And if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to [email protected] 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 ClarksonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Guest: Melanie MacKenzie is a marine biologist at Museums Victoria. Hosts: Anika and Dexter Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard Executive Producer: Lorna ClarksonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?  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.

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....?  Guest: Kirsten Banks - Wiradjuri astrophysicist and science communicatorHosts: Anika and Dexter Producer: Cinnamon Nippard Sound Design: Darcy MilneExecutive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?     Guest: Mel Slarp - Lead, Education & 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.

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?    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.

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?   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.

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? Guest: Kirsten Banks - Wiradjuri astrophysicist and science communicator Hosts: Anika and Dexter Producer: Cinnamon Nippard Sound Design: Darcy Milne Executive Producer: Lorna ClarksonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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?   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.

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?   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.

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? 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.

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? 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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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? 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? 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.

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? 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.

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.