Double Helix

Looking for seriously fun science, technology, engineering, and maths news for your curious kids or tech-talented teens? We've got you covered! Inside every issue you'll find articles, activities, puzzles, comics, and prizes galore. Perfect reading for enquiring minds, CSIRO's Double Helix magazine is packed with news, features, fun experiments, giveaways and more. Each issue focuses on a different theme, from smells to spaceships and beyond! With clear language and eye-catching design, the content promotes critical thinking, strengthens literacy skills and is the perfect fuel to spark or sustain an interest in STEM. Double Helix is published eight times a year. It is ideal for 8 to 13-year-olds and enjoyed by older readers as well.

ON THE COVER

Double Helix • Double Helix Issue 72

HELIX HQ

ON THE DOUBLE

DISCOVERING A DARK GALAXY

GRASS ON THE MENU

SUPER SPEEDY BIKES

SUBSCRIBE

SYNCHRONISED SWIFTIES?

LUCID DREAMERS TAKE THE WHEEL

PENGUIN POWER NAPS

MOON SURPRISE

PARROT VOICE PRINT

SEA-ICE AND SEA-WAVES!

SOLAR-POWERED CLOTHING

BY THE NUMBERS: BUDJ BIM

FLYING SOLO

LITTLE NATIVE MICE

YOUTH POWER! UP FOR A CHALLENGE

THE MATHEMATICS OF INDIGENOUS ART • Gaze upon the intricate patterns of Aboriginal artwork, and you'll see more than just beautiful dot paintings, rock engravings, sculptures and weaving. Beyond their visual appeal, Indigenous artworks contain highly sophisticated mathematics that mirror the Australian landscape’s vastness and diversity.

A CHAMPION OF SCIENCE • Meet Melissa Tipo! She’s a smart and proud Djerait woman from the Northern Territory. Melissa’s family has lived in the area for many generations, and she is a part of the Goanna clan. She’s also proud of her Larrakia, Kungarakan, Cornish and Chinese heritage.

CURES FROM COUNTRY • Meet Joshua Jack Struthers, a young science enthusiast with a strong connection to his Indigenous heritage. Josh is a Palawa man from Tasmania, and he’s finding ways to combine his science know-how with Traditional Knowledges.

Sophie’s journey

POSTER

Astronomy for Curious Kids

The Great Australian Science Book

TIME-TRAVELLING SHED

AWESOME AURORA • GREETINGS, TERRESTRIAL TRAVELLERS. GAIL LEXY HERE. I HEAR YOUR SUN IS STIRRING AND THAT THIS MAY BRING AURORA AUSTRALIS, THE SOUTHERN LIGHTS, TO YOUR SKIES.

FISHING ON COUNTRY • First Nations people are the first engineers and scientists on this continent. And their ingenuity can be seen in aquaculture – technology for farming Australia’s waterways.

MATHS YOU CAN COUNT ON • THIS ISSUE WE’RE PUTTING OUR BACK-OF-THE-ENVELOPE CALCULATIONS ASIDE AND DELVING INTO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF FIRST NATIONS MATHS.

WHAT’S YOUR QUESTION?

AFTER THE EXODUS

CANDLE CHALLENGE • YOU PROBABLY THINK IT’S EASY TO BLOW OUT A CANDLE. BUT ONE SIMPLE FUNNEL CAN MAKE IT MUCH HARDER!

RESIN TO THE RESCUE! • RESIN IS A STICKY SUBSTANCE THAT OOZES FROM SOME PLANTS WHEN THEY ARE INJURED. TRADITIONALLY, ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE HAVE MANY USES FOR RESIN – SUCH AS FIXING BOATS!

PULLING PULLEYS • HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED HOW CRANES CAN LIFT SUCH HEAVY OBJECTS? THEIR PULLEYS REALLY HELP LIGHTEN THE LOAD. THESE SIMPLE MACHINES CAN MAKE HEAVY WEIGHTS FEEL AS LIGHT AS A FEATHER!

MAKE IT COMIC

WHOSE TRACK IS THAT?

PUZZLES

PRIZES