The Fact Detectives

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Latest Episodes:

Halloween Nov 30, 2023

Show notes

When did Halloween start? Why do we dress up, carve pumpkins and go trick or treating?

Anika and Esther find out all the ancient, spooky facts about Halloween with Michelle Smith who studies fairytales and children's literature at Monash University.

Guest: Michelle Smith who researches fairytales and children’s literature at Monash University in Melbourne.

Hosts: Anika and Esther
Production: Cinnamon Nippard
Sound design: Josh Newth
Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fan Facts: Rocco and Olive (Burps and Cocoons) Nov 02, 2023

Show notes

In this episode we answer questions from our fans, Detective Rocco and Detective Olive. We find out why we burp and how cocoons are made.

Host: Billy and The Super Computer
Production and Sound Design: Josh Newth
Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Glow-worms Sep 03, 2023

Show notes

What’s the difference between a glow-worm and a firefly? How and why do glow-worms glow? And where can we see them?
In this episode, Anika and Esther catch up with author, Cathie Plowman, who illuminates all the glimmering facts about glow-worms. Find out why they’re the Australian Cave Animal of the Year in 2023
https://www.caveanimaloftheyear.org.au/
Guest: Cathie Plowman, caver and author of the book: Living Lights: The Glowworms of Australia and New Zealand.
Hosts: Anika and Esther
Production: Cinnamon Nippard
Sound design: Josh Newth
Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spin, Tape, Stream Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

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.au
Guest: 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 Clarkson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dragonflies Jul 06, 2023

Show notes

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 Clarkson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stars Jun 08, 2023

Show notes

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.

Megalodon May 11, 2023

Show notes

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 Clarkson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poo Apr 13, 2023

Show notes

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 Scienceworks
Hosts: Anika and Esther
Production: Cinnamon Nippard 
Sound Design: Josh Newth
Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fan Facts: Zach (Dinosaur Extinction) Apr 07, 2023

Show notes

In this episode we answer a question from our fan, Detective Zach. We find out why some animals survived the dinosaur extinction.

Host: Billy and The Super Computer
Production and Sound Design: Josh Newth
Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crocodiles Mar 30, 2023

Show notes

What’s the difference between an alligator and a crocodile? Are crocodiles really living dinosaurs? And do they actually cry?
In this episode, Anika and Esther find out all the snap-tastic facts about crocodiles with Dr Matthew Brien who is a program coordinator with the Department of Environment and Science in Queensland
Guest: Dr Matthew Brien who is a program coordinator with the Department of Environment and Science in Queensland
Hosts: Anika and Esther
Production: Cinnamon Nippard
Sound design: Josh Newth
Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.