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A mini chemistry set in a stick

Do you know how glowsticks work? Watch this clip and discover the chemical reaction that takes place when you snap a glowstick and release the reactants. Find out about chemiluminescence in nature, when scientists first created glowing sticks and the chemical equation that describes the reaction. Can you guess which glowstick colour is the most challenging to create?




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Charles Perkins in Moree

Australia in the 1960s was still a racially segregated country. What did Charles Perkins organise in 1965 to challenge racist attitudes and practises in regional NSW? Watch as people discuss what happened in Moree, which illustrates the division of that time, and learn about the difference Charles Perkins and his Freedom Riders made to the Aboriginal community of Moree.




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Make pot planters from plastic bottles

Pot plants are a nice way to brighten up any room. Learn how to make your own pot planters using plastic bottles you might find in your recycling bin. Why would you want to use plastic rather than paper to make pot planters?




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Fighting hospital waste

You may have thought hospital waste would not be recyclable, but Brisbane's Princess Alexandra's Hospital has found ways to recycle the waste they produce to generate revenue and create beautiful community gardens for their patients to enjoy. Can you think of a way to recycle and re-use something that's not currently being recycled or re-used?




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Is bamboo clothing really eco-friendly?

Bamboo is an increasingly popular choice as a clothing fabric, but is it really as eco-friendly as they say? Discover raw bamboo's natural characteristics and properties and find out why it's admired as a processed fibre. Then see what research reveals about the way it's processed.




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Olegas Truchanas: a hero of the environmental movement

Olegas Truchanas was a pioneering photographer whose images of the Tasmanian wilderness are legendary. Olegas was closely associated with the struggle to save Lake Pedder from being flooded by the Hydro-Electric Commission in 1972, and he remains a hero of the environmental movement. Listen to his story as he travels from Nazi-occupied Lithuania to Australia.




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Can you guess the weight of Uluru?

What is the "wisdom of a crowd"? Mathematician Lily Serna investigates a mathematical phenomenon that suggests that if you have a large enough crowd, with a broad variety of people making estimates, then the mean (average) answer of the crowd will be accurate! Find out if a crowd can guess the weight of Uluru from the ground up. How much do you think it would weigh? How could you test this mathematical phenomenon in the classroom?




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What is a meat safe?

Before fridges were invented, people used meat safes to keep their food cool. But what is a meat safe? Watch this clip to find out! What was the meat safe made out of? How was it designed to keep bugs out? And how did the meat safe actually keep food cool? Think about the way we keep food cool today. How do the fridges of today compare with the meat safes of the olden days?




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Mesopotamia, the world's first civilisation

Considered the birthplace of human civilisation, Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq, and parts of Kuwait, Turkey and Syria) was situated in the fertile valley between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. What do we know of this ancient civilisation? What characteristics did Mesopotamia have that made it a civilisation?




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How did a river valley civilisation arise?

The world's first civilisations arose around rivers. Why do you think this was? Think about the characteristics of a civilisation and how advanced agricultural practices allowed civilisations to flourish. This video mentions four ancient civilisations. Can you think of other civilisations that emerged near a river?




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The role of the Nile in Ancient Egypt

Like other early civilisations, the rise of Ancient Egypt was dependent on the fertile land around a river. By learning about and adapting to the conditions of the Nile River, ancient Egyptians were able to increase their agricultural productivity to support a large population. Why was this vital for a civilisation to flourish?




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Indus Valley Civilisation

The Indus River is located in present-day Pakistan and is the birthplace of the Indus Valley Civilisation. What do we know of this civilisation? What are some characteristics of this civilisation that are similar to that of other river valley civilisations? Why do we know less of the Indus Valley Civilisation than we do of other civilisations like Ancient Egypt or Mesopotamia?




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Ancient Chinese civilisation

The basin of Huang He, or the Yellow River, is considered the birthplace of Ancient China. What did this ancient civilisation have in common with other ancient civilisations? New advances in science and technology are traits of a civilisation. How did iron smelting revolutionise farming for the ancient Chinese?




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A flood of water sports activity

See how the breaking of a drought can result in a boom for local tourism. In one small Victorian town, the long drought has broken and there's water back in the lake! Find out what attracts holiday-makers back in droves to the serenity of Bonnie Doon!




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Who on Earth speaks English?

Have you ever wondered why everybody in the world doesn't speak the same language? Or at least why we don't all share a common second language? If we did, what language would it be? Listen to why Robert McCrum says that 'Globish', a version of English, is the world's second language. If you like this clip, listen to the full ABC RN documentary by clicking ‘Download Audio' at http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/latenightlive/broken-english/3042354 




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Farming oysters in Tasmania

Have you ever eaten an oyster? Do you know how they're farmed? Join Grace as she visits a Tasmanian oyster farm and find out! What makes Tasmania a good place to farm oysters? Do some research and find out more about how oyster farmers manage their environments. What kind of structures do they build in the water? How long do oysters take to grow? Where else in Australia are oysters farmed? And how important is a healthy environment to oyster farmers?




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The gold rush era

The gold rush of the 1890s, which started in Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie, prompted a rush of hopeful prospectors to Western Australia. Perth Mint exhibition supervisor Greg Cooke talks about the reality of life in the harsh outback with little water and no roads. Would you have risked your life to try to find your fortune in those conditions?




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Heavy vs big

How would you measure and compare the weight of something? Learn why big things aren't necessarily heavy. All you need is something heavy and a lot of something light and you’ll be able to prove that weight is not the same as size.




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The super strength of silkworm threads

A silkworm produces silk thread that is almost as strong as steel. Why does a silkworm need such a strong thread? Find out in this video. How is silk thread being used in medical science, and why is it better than using the polyester alternative? Can you think of other uses for silk thread?




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Place names in Wathaurung country

Mount Warrenheip in Victoria is named after a Wathaurung word: warrenyeep . What does warrenyeep mean and why is this place called this? The town of Ballarat is also named after Wathaurung words: balla arat . What do these words mean? Wurdi Youang, now known as the You Yangs, means "big hill in the middle of the plain" in the Wathaurung language. Why are the You Yangs significant to the local Indigenous communities?




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The Handmaid's Tale

Margaret Atwood's 'The Handmaid's Tale' is a dystopian novel set in the fictional Republic of Gilead. What are some hallmarks of dystopian novels? What are some similarities and differences between this novel and another dystopian novel mentioned in this video, Orwell's '1984'?




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What is constitutional recognition?

The constitution was written more than a century ago, but Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are not mentioned in it at all, despite having lived here for more than 50,000 years. What is constitutional recognition and why is it important? What are some of the perceived barriers to changing the constitution?




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First Fleet

Did you know that when the British colonised Australia, they established a penal colony? In 1787, Captain Arthur Phillip left England with the first group of prisoners on the First Fleet. They arrived in Sydney Cove in 1788. Watch this clip to find out the stories of some of these convicts.




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Holi, a festival of colour

One of the world's brightest festivals is the festival of Holi. Learn about this colourful Hindu celebration and how it is celebrated.




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What is compound interest?

Compound interest will be one of the most important things you ever learn. Don't believe it? Gen Fricker will explain why. Learn how compound interest works, and why saving now can help you later. Game changer! Then test yourself with ASIC Moneysmart's "Things to think about" classroom exercises.




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Why investing can be risky

Planning to get rich quick by investing one day? Before you jump in, let Gen Fricker explain some of the risks involved with different types of investments. Then test yourself with ASIC Moneysmart's "Things to think about" classroom exercises.  




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What is opportunity cost?

What is the true cost of buying something? Gen Fricker explains that it's more than just money. Learn about opportunity cost - what it is, why it's a helpful tool and when to use it. Simple! Then test yourself with ASIC Moneysmart's "Things to think about" classroom exercises.  




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Why borrowing can cost you more

Think credit cards are basically free money? Gen Fricker will make you think again. Learn how interest rates and fees affect the money you borrow, and why they may be more expensive in the long run. Oh dear! Then test yourself with ASIC Moneysmart's "Things to think about" classroom exercises.  




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How does income tax work?

Gen Fricker makes income tax interesting! Learn about income tax - what it is, how it works and when you have to pay it. Easy-peasy! Then test yourself with ASIC Moneysmart's "Things to think about" classroom exercises.  




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From the garden to the plate

Discover a community garden and a local restaurant working together to grow fresh produce and create fabulous meals - sustainably. View this clip created by young reporters from Presbyterian Ladies College in Armidale, New South Wales. The clip was developed as part of the ABC Splash Live 'Making the news!' project, which featured local sustainability stories by students from around the country.




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Full-on Aussies

How do people celebrate Australia Day where you live? Watch how diverse groups of Melburnians spend Australia Day in 2013, and hear some people talk about why they chose to become Australian citizens.




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Game, set and match for tourism

Events like Melbourne's Australian Open attract spectators from interstate and overseas, causing a spike in tourist numbers. Does the tournament also appear to boost other parts of the tourism sector?




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Holiday the eco way!

Want to go on a guilt-free holiday? Then consider taking an eco-holiday. This might be a trip with a difference and it's more than likely to have a low carbon footprint. Judging by recent trends, getting back to nature without contributing to atmospheric pollution seems to be all the rage!




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The Cold War and 1989

In January 1989, East German leader Erich Honecker declared that the Berlin Wall would still be standing in 50 or even 100 years. By November that same year the Wall was down and the Cold War was over. 1989 was a year that no-one saw coming. Head back to 1989 and learn about the luck that led to the collapse of the Soviet empire.




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How to make an origami frog

Origami folds have associated geometric patterns or "paper trails" in which we are able to visualise different types of triangles, angles, polygons, lines and symmetry. Use these patterns to turn a two-dimensional flat sheet of paper into a three-dimensional hopping frog!




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Count to 10 in Gomeroi

Learn how to count to 10 in Gomeroi! Community cultural leader Matthew Priestley has been teaching students at Moree East Public School how to speak the traditional Gomeroi language. Listen as the students teach you.




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The water tribe and ochre

Proud Wathaurung man Barry Gilson is learning and writing songs in the language of his ancestors –- a difficult task because “everything has been lost”. What does he mean by this? He also speaks of how ochre was and is used in Aboriginal ceremonies. Can you find out what else ochre was and is used for in cultural practices?




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Introduction to culture with Aunty Julie

What does culture mean to you? We all have a culture we identify with, whether it's linked to our nationality, ethnicity, religious beliefs or language. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culture plays an especially significant role. Why do you think this is? Think about what happened to Aboriginal Country, clans and languages and how this has affected many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ identities.




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Meet Loong, Bendigo's Chinese dragon

What animal pops into your mind when you think of Easter? Probably not a dragon, unless you live in Bendigo! Loong is a Chinese dragon who participates in Bendigo's Easter parade every year. See if you can find out more about Loong and Bendigo's Easter parade.




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How to fold the Squarosaurus paper plane

What makes the Squarosaurus paper plane stay airborne for so long? Consider the size of the wings in comparison to the body - or the fuselage. What do the winglets do? What is the dihedral angle and why is it important? Now go and fold your own Squarosaurus and time how long it stays in the air. Then see if you can improve the design so it will stay airborne even longer. Don't forget to consider how you're actually throwing it!




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A Wathaurung sacred site

In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island cultures, there are sacred sites. What are they? What makes them sacred? Cultural anthropologist Heather Threadgold shows us around a Wathaurung sacred site. What evidence is there that the Wathaurung people have always been here?




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An Indigenous Australian war hero of WWI

Many Indigenous Australian soldiers enlisted to serve in World War I despite being discriminated against, and many were awarded medals for heroic acts. Do you think they were recognised for their loyalty and courage when they returned home from war? What happened to Frederick Prentice when he returned home?




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Harvesting and cooking murnong

Murnong is an edible Australian native plant that was prolific in south-eastern Australia. Which part of the murnong is eaten? Why was it so abundant in certain parts of Victoria? Watch Aunty Julie to learn how murnong is harvested and cooked.




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Identity, racism and connection

How do you identify yourself? For some of us our identity is linked to the way we look, but for many people, especially in a multicultural country like Australia, it is generally more complicated. Does the way you look inform how you identify yourself? Grace is a Yorta Yorta person, and her identity is linked to her connection to places, not how she looks. Other than our physical appearance, what are some other ways we may identify ourselves?




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Virtual reality and the stereoscope

Do you know what virtual reality (VR) is? VR is something you can experience if you put on a VR headset. The headset lets you see and hear things that make you feel like you're in a completely different place. Perhaps you've seen people using VR headsets or even tried one out yourself. In this video, Margot shows us an object called a stereoscope. It's about 150 years old! What did people use it for? How is the stereoscope similar to virtual reality headsets of today? How is it different?




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Will Australia have the last bees on Earth?

Bee populations around the world have started vanishing, in a process known as colony collapse disorder. Scientists have many ideas about what causes colony collapse, including one possible culprit: the varroa mite. Australia is one of the last places on Earth unaffected by varroa. Could this mean that Australia could have the last bees on Earth? What can you do to help bee populations?




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Portland Mayor Says Proposed Budget Can Withstand COVID-19 Shortfall

With the coronavirus pandemic putting an unprecedented strain on Portland’s finances, Mayor Ted Wheeler proposed a budget Thursday that he pledged would be able to withstand the economic blow.




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Oregon Ski Resorts Gear Up To Welcome Visitors Again

Oregon’s ski resorts have been shut down since March but some may be able to open up again as soon as next week.