Squiz Kids

The James Webb Space Telescope has been sending back extraordinary images of newborn stars, distant planets and some of the earliest galaxies ever seen. So, this week, we’re blasting open the Squiz Kids Vault and revisiting our Shortcut to the telescope that some people call the Just Wonderful Space Telescope.

Join Amanda and Bryce as they discover HOW the JWST works, WHAT its first spectacular images revealed, and WHY scientists believe studying distant galaxies and planets could help us better understand the universe, and our own little corner of it.

Bird flu has reached Australia, but what exactly is H5N1, how does it spread, and what can families do to be prepared?

In this special Science Short, Christie speaks with Dr Tiggy

They also explain whether people and pets can catch it, how families can help protect backyard chickens and other animals, and exactly what kids should do if they spot a sick or dead bird.

Birdlife Australia

Atlas of Living Australia

For the full episode transcript, click here.

A fun kids vs adults news quiz to test who’s been paying the most attention to the week in news.

For the full episode transcript, click here.

Your daily kids news podcast.

Rocket crashes into the Moon; Guatemala’s fire volcano erupts; Escaped lion fake news; and New Zealand’s ducks breathe a sigh of relief.

A runaway rocket booster has slammed into the Moon at more than 8,000 km/h, kicking up a giant cloud of lunar dust.

People living near Guatemala's Volcano Fuego have been evacuated as lava and ash pour from the mountain.

After three years on the run, a feral cat nicknamed "Nine Lives" has finally been captured in New Zealand, giving endangered native ducks a much-needed chance to recover.

Following Japan's earthquake, fake videos and wild rumours spread quickly online. Squiz-E's message is as important as ever: STOP, THINK and CHECK before believing or sharing anything you see.

For the full episode transcript, click here.

Researched and hosted by Bryce Corbett.

Want to work with us on Newshounds in SA? ⁠Learn more here.

Your daily kids news podcast.

Aussie bird flu outbreak worsens; Spider-Man’s massive weekend; Salty sea dogs ride the waves; and some very Hungry Hippos

Wildlife experts are urging Australians to keep their distance after bird flu was found in wild seabirds. If you spot a sick or dead bird, remember the golden rule: look, don't touch.

One family in the United States has set a lightning-fast Hungry Hungry Hippos world record.

Dozens of talented dogs hit the surf at the World Dog Surfing Championships in California.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day has spun its way into the record books, becoming the biggest opening weekend ever in North America.

For the full episode transcript, click here.

Emergency Animal Disease Hotline - 1800 675 888

Why do humans sort people into groups? What happens when those groups become “us” and “them”? And how can fear, stereotypes and repeated messages make unfair ideas seem true?

With jellybeans, tigers, and magpies, this episode helps kids understand that racism isn’t only found in history books, and it doesn’t always arrive shouting. Sometimes it can show up in everyday assumptions, jokes, exclusions or stereotypes.

We’ll look at Australia’s history, including racism towards First Nations people and migrant communities, and consider how the people once labelled “too different” have helped shape the diverse, multicultural Australia we know today.

Most importantly, we’ll explore what kids can do: pause before making assumptions, question stereotypes, speak up safely and make the echo wobble.

Listen carefully. There’s a Squiz at the end!

For the full episode transcript, click here.

This episode was hosted by Bryce Corbett and Christie Kijurina

Research by Christie Kijurina

Your daily kids news podcast.

Curtain closes on Commonwealth Games; Our shortcut to racism; Astronauts float back to Earth; and how polar bears keep cool in zoos.

Australia has wrapped up a spectacular Commonwealth Games campaign, finishing miles ahead on the medal tally.

After eight months aboard the International Space Station, three astronauts are back on Earth!

With Europe sweltering through summer, zoo keepers in Prague gave their polar bears tonnes of ice to roll, slide and play in.

A catchy song about eastern rosellas, written by a seven-year-old Aussie, has become an internet sensation. Scientists even say it's the perfect "earworm"... the kind of tune that gets happily stuck in your head!

For the full episode transcript, click here.

Want to work with us on Newshounds in SA? Learn more here.

How are Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Panther, Thor and the

They’re part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or MCU, a gigantic collection of movies and TV shows whose characters and storylines exist in one connected world. With Spider-Man: Brand New Day arriving in cinemas, we’re swinging into the Squiz Kids Vault for a Shortcut first released in August 2021.

Find out how the MCU began, who helped create its best-known superheroes and what goes into making a Marvel movie. Just remember: this episode is a snapshot of the MCU in 2021, and a lot has happened in the MCU since this Shortcut was recorded, but every superhero needs an origin story!

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Faster. Higher. Stronger. From Australian sprint stars Lachlan Kennedy and Torrie Lewis to record-breaking swimmers and sports stars, athletes keep pushing beyond what once seemed humanly possible.

But surely we can’t keep getting faster, higher and stronger forever… can we?

In this Squiz Kids Science Short, Christie investigates why world records keep tumbling, how training and technology help athletes improve, and whether our brains sometimes apply the brakes before our bodies have truly reached their limit. Plus, could you become a world-record holder simply by pulling enough socks onto one foot?

Will humans eventually reach the finish line of human ability? Let’s find out!

Email [email protected] if you'd like Christie to investigate your science question.