Modern Australian
The Times

two neat ways to get young minds thinking this school holiday season

  • Written by Sunanda Creagh, Head of Digital Storytelling

Mum, why do we get the hiccups? Dad, why is the Earth round? How do echidnas breathe underground? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Mum? Dad?

Yes, school holiday season is once again upon us (starting tomorrow for some states, early October for others). Perhaps you’re looking for ways to keep questioning kids happy and engaged during road trips, long afternoons at nan’s house - or while mum or dad furiously try to get some work done with a kid in the background.

If you’ve got some inquisitive young minds in your household, we’d love you to check out the podcast Imagine This. It’s a co-production between ABC KIDS listen and The Conversation, based on The Conversation’s Curious Kids article series (where we ask academic experts to answer real questions from real kids).

Read more: Imagine This: a new podcast tackling tricky questions from inquisitive young minds

After a fantastic season one – which covered such topics as how snakes say “ssss” with their tongue poking out and why the moon sometimes appears in the daytime – Imagine This is now back with a terrific season two.

This season, host Brianna Peterson and a star-studded cast of academics unpack such tricky topics as hiccups, the shape of our planet, itchy bites and many more. Ten episodes of Imagine This will be released weekly from Wednesday September 5th – and they have produced some amazing little animations starring academic experts as turtles, birds and kangaroos, of course. You can find them over here.

You can read all the Curious Kids articles on these topics here, and I’ve listed a few of my recent favourites below. I hope our older readers enjoy them as much as our younger ones do.

Happy holidays!

Read more: Trust Me, I'm An Expert: How augmented reality may one day make music a visual, interactive experience

Hello, curious kids! Have you got a question you’d like an expert to answer? Ask an adult to send your question to curiouskids@theconversation.edu.au

two neat ways to get young minds thinking this school holiday season CC BY-ND Please tell us your name, age and which city you live in. We won’t be able to answer every question but we will do our best.

Authors: Sunanda Creagh, Head of Digital Storytelling

Read more http://theconversation.com/curious-kids-and-imagine-this-two-neat-ways-to-get-young-minds-thinking-this-school-holiday-season-103520

Where to Enjoy Your Off-Road Caravan on the Gold Coast

With a caravan, you can travel anywhere and everywhere without battling the rush of the peak holiday season or last-minute reservations. While the r...

How Osteopathy Supports Recovery from Sciatica and Nerve Pain

Sciatica isn't just annoying. It's genuinely painful. It sits deep in your glute and shoots straight down the back of your leg. It turns something as...

The Winter Jewellery Edit: Five Pieces You'll Wear All Season

As wardrobes shift to cosy knits, tailored coats and rich seasonal textures, jewellery becomes the finishing touch that pulls every winter outfit to...

7 Signs It's Time to Upgrade Your Piston Air Compressor

If you run a workshop, panel shop, or fabrication business anywhere around Perth, you already know what heat and dust do to equipment over a few sum...

How Long Do Bathroom Renovations Melbourne Take? Step-by-Step Process Explained

Planning a bathroom renovation is exciting, but one of the biggest questions homeowners ask is, "How long will it take?" While every project is uniq...

Why Your Skin Breaks Out: The Science of Acne Explained

Acne is the most common skin condition in the world. An estimated 85% of people experience it at some point between the ages of 12 and 24, and a gro...

10 Swimwear Trends Australian Women Are Wearing This Summer

Every Australian summer brings a fresh wave of swimwear trends, but some styles have much greater staying power than others. While fashion constantly ...

Why Regular Skills Updates Are Essential for Licensed Security Officers

A guard at a Brisbane shopping centre gets a call about a shoplifter who's turned aggressive.  They’ve done the job for six years. But their de-...

10 Benefits of Choosing Professional Tutoring Penrith Services

Every student has unique learning strengths, challenges, and academic goals. While classroom teaching provides essential knowledge and structure, so...

Sunshine Coast Baby Classes Prove Big Hit Among First-Time Mums

There's a movement gaining traction on the Sunshine Coast, providing a village of support, socialisation and relief for first-time mothers and babie...

Father's Day Gift Ideas for Men Who Are Hard to Buy For

Some dads are easy to buy for. Others do not want anything, already have everything, or give you the classic "don't worry about me" answer every yea...

Top 5 Mistakes That Wear Out Your Brakes Faster

Brakes don't need frequent replacements like oil changes do.   But a lot of the wear happens quietly, over months, because of habits most drivers...

Plantation Shutters vs Curtains: Which Is Better for Your New Home?

Moving into a new home is an exciting opportunity to personalise your space and make it your own. While many homeowners focus on furniture, flooring...

Celebration of Life vs Traditional Funeral: What's the Difference?

When saying goodbye to someone you love, there is no single way to honour their life. Every family has different traditions, beliefs, and preference...

Building Approval for Roofing Projects: What Homeowners Need to Know

Roofing projects are an important part of maintaining and protecting your home. Whether you're repairing storm damage, replacing an ageing roof, or ...

Chatswood Tutoring And Its Role In Academic Achievement

Academic success often requires more than classroom attendance alone. Students face increasing expectations as they progress through school, particu...

Why Laser Hair Removal Treatments Continue Growing In Popularity

Managing unwanted hair can become time-consuming and frustrating for many people, especially when shaving, waxing, and other temporary methods requi...

Choosing the Right Devices for a Flexible Workplace

For IT leaders managing large fleets, the device layer is where workforce productivity and security policy meet. The shift towards flexible and hybrid...