Following World War II, thousands of children were sent from Britain to Australia. Most of the children were orphans or unable to be cared for by their parents. In this clip, Hildi describes being taken from her grandmother’s home and secretly put on board a ship to Australia. Frankie Lewis describes the sense of isolation and anonymity wrought by not having a birth certificate.

Caffeine is the world's most popular drug, but what is it and how does our body respond to its presence? Watch this clip to see the chemical structure of caffeine and the three compounds it metabolises into. Find out which receptor in the brain caffeine binds to, and the overall impacts it has on brain function and activity.

Ever wondered how fireworks are created? In this clip, pyrotechnics expert John Conkling describes the chemical and physical components of fireworks, and demonstrates many coloured explosions in a laboratory. Discover that a fireworks display is a chemical reaction between an oxidiser such as potassium nitrate and a fuel such as sulphur, with a chemical colourant that emits coloured light when heated.

Many natural products, such as red cabbage and turmeric, can be used as a natural source of colour to dye fibres. Watch the dyeing demonstration in this clip to see how. Discover the chemistry of natural dyes, including the bonding properties of different pigments and how acid-base reactions can alter the colour of pH-sensitive dyes.

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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!

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 

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?

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?

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?

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.

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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!

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.

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!

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?

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.

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!

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?

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?

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?

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.

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

A global pandemic that’s made life harder for nearly everyone is adding an even greater burden on many people who are disabled. And then there's the risk that people with disabilities could be denied life-saving medical treatment if a surge in COVID-19 diagnoses leads the state to ration care

News rountablers give opinions and analysis on some of the week's big stories. And we find out how COVID-19 is affecting communities of color.

A number of churches, including Elkhorn Baptist in Baker City, argue Brown's executive orders are invalid on “constitutional procedural grounds.”

Four years ago, Portland voters approved a 10-cents-a-gallon gas tax to fund road projects. Four years later, the tax is up for renewal. But this time around, the debate around the tax is limited.

The in-person events that were the heart of voter outreach efforts have been put on hold. But Multnomah County election officials are still holding office hours, as they also go virtual.

Find out about the major investment IBM is making in the mid-market. And learn how new incentives, plus expanded Business Partner programs, can help drive growth.

Discover the newly redesigned Express Advantage Web pages on PartnerWorld Express Advantage, providing easier and more intuitive access to products, services, solutions, and key channel enablement--all supporting the Express Advantage strategy and designed to help Business Partners win in the SMB marketplace.

Read how Robert Moffat, Jr. has implemented a sweeping overhaul aimed at simplifying IBM Business Partner compensation and account engagement.

Utilize the new Software Sales Kit Widget and gain access to important news and critical sales aids and tools on a worldwide, as well as a local basis.

View this recorded presentation and learn about the strategies that IBM thinks midsized organizations should implement to survive the current economic crisis.

Now IBM Business Partners can incorporate the Smarter Planet vision and innovative way of thinking into their marketing and Web presence by embedding the new Smarter Planet widget on their site. It's easy, and there's no cost.