©ABC 2017

Questions for discussion

Government Ministers

1. Discuss the BTN Government Ministers story in pairs. What points were raised in the discussion?

2. When it comes to politics in Australia, the ____________________ is the boss.

3. Finish the following sentence: The team of politicians that help the Prime Minister to run the country is called…

4. Who decides which politicians get a position in Cabinet?

5. Ministers are given an area to look after. Give three examples of different departments.

6. Why is the job of Minister an important one?

7. What new ministry did the Prime Minister create recently?

8. Which departments does the new ministry bring together?

9. Who is going to be the Minister in charge?

10. What questions do you have after watching this story?

Write a message about the story and post it in the comments section on the story page.

Plastic Bag Ban

1. What was the main point of the BTN story?

2. Which two supermarkets recently announced that they’re phasing out single use plastic

bags?

3. Briefly explain what Meg has been campaigning for.

4. Meg says that plastic bags are hurting the environment. What example does she give?

5. In which states are plastic bags already banned?

6. Which politicians has Meg written to about the issue?

7. Plastic bags can take __________ years to decompose.

8. What impact does plastic have on the marine environment?

9. What is Meg going to focus her campaign on now?

10. What did you learn watching the BTN story?

Check out the Plastic Bag Ban resource on the Teachers page

Classification Review

1. Explain the Classification Review story to another student.

2. Before a film or TV show can be shown, it is given a __________________.

3. What do the following classifications mean:

G:

PG:

M:

4. Finish the following sentence: The MA and R classifications mean that it’s against the law

if…

Episode 19

25th July 2017

©ABC 2017

5. Why has classifying programs become more difficult recently?

6. Who classifies programs on Netflix?

7. Why does the Australian Council for Children and the Media say the classification system

needs changing?

8. The system the ACCM is proposing focuses on…

9. Do you think the classification system needs changing? Explain your answer.

10. What do you understand more clearly since watching the BTN story?

Write a message about the story and post it in the comments section on the story page.

Finding Fungi

1. Before you watch the BTN story, record what you know about fungi.

2. Briefly summarise the BTN Finding Fungi story.

3. Why are fungi some of the most important organisms on the planet?

4. About how many different species of fungi are there?

5. Which Kingdom do fungi belong to?

a. Plant

b. Animal

c. Fungi

6. Fungi break down dead things to provide nutrients for other living things. True or false?

7. Apart from mushrooms, what other organisms are part of the fungi group?

8. What type of fungi did Josh find?

9. Are all fungi safe to eat? Explain your answer.

10. What did you learn about fungi watching the BTN story?

Check out the Finding Fungi resource on the Teachers page

How do Fireworks works?

1. What does the BTN story explain?

2. The fireworks used to create big, colourful displays are called ________________.

3. What does the `lifting charge’ do?

4. Once at the right height, a fuse triggers a second charge inside the _________ charge.

5. What makes the different shapes in the fireworks?

6. What controls the colour of the firework?

7. What colour firework does copper create?

8. About how many fireworks are used in the Sydney New Year’s Eve display?

9. Create your own fireworks design.

10. What was surprising about this story?

Design your own firework. Go to the ABC ME website to get all the details about the

competition.

©ABC 2017

Teacher Resource

Plastic Bag Ban

1. What was the main point of the BTN story?

2. Which two supermarkets recently announced that they’re phasing out

single use plastic bags?

3. Briefly explain what Meg has been campaigning for.

4. Meg says that plastic bags are hurting the environment. What

example does she give?

5. In which states are plastic bags already banned?

6. Which politicians has Meg written to about the issue?

7. Plastic bags can take __________ years to decompose.

8. What impact does plastic have on the marine environment?

9. What is Meg going to focus her campaign on now?

10. What did you learn watching the BTN story?

Note taking

Students will practice their note-taking while

watching the BTN Plastic Bag Ban story.

After watching the story, ask students to

reflect on and organise the information into

three categories.

What information in the story was...?

• Positive

• Negative or

• Interesting

Class Discussion

As a class discuss the BTN Plastic Bag Ban story using the following questions as a guide. Record the main

points of the discussion on a mind map with plastic bags at the centre. Use the following questions to guide

the discussion:

• Which states have a banned plastic bags?

• How much pollution is caused by plastic bags?

• What impact do plastic bags have on the environment?

• What are the benefits of plastic bags?

• What are the alternatives to plastic bags?

• What is the environmental impact of alternative shopping bags?

Episode 19

25th July 2017

Students will investigate the

environment impact of plastic bags

and develop an argument for or

against a national plastic bag ban.

Geography Year 4 The use and management of natural resources and waste, and the different views on how to do this sustainably (ACHASSK090) HASS – Year 4

Reflect on learning to propose

actions in response to an issue or

challenge and consider possible

effects of proposed actions

(ACHASSI081)

Science Year 4 Science knowledge helps people to understand the effect of their actions (ACSHE062)

Science – Year 5 & 6 Scientific knowledge is used to solve problems and inform personal and community decisions (ACSHE083) (ACSHE100) Science – Year 7 Solutions to contemporary issues that are found using science and technology, may impact on other areas of society and may involve ethical considerations (ACSHE120)

©ABC 2017

Six Hat Thinking

As a class, use Edward De Bono’s Six Hat Thinking to explore

the impact of plastic bags on the environment.

Students will take it in turns answering questions in relation to

what they already know about the issue, what they have learned

from the BTN Plastic Bag Ban story and what they want to learn

further about the topic.

Download this worksheet for students to respond to a range of

questions about the issue.

What happens to plastic bags?

Students will investigate the impact plastic bags have on the environment. The BTN stories Landfill and

Ocean Rubbish give a great snapshot of the journey rubbish takes from the bin to landfill and the ocean and

our waterways. Students can investigate the topics in more detail by completing the activities on the story

pages.

The Life of a Plastic Bag

Students watch the mockumentary The Majestic

Plastic Bag then respond to the following questions:

• Describe the journey of the plastic bag in the

video.

• What do you know about the Great Pacific

Garbage Patch?

• What did you learn about the life cycle of a

plastic bag?

• Create a flow chart to show the life of a plastic

bag.

©ABC 2017

Persuasive text

Students will develop a persuasive text for or against the following statement: `There should be a national

plastic bag ban in Australia’. Students can use the information recorded on the mind map and their own

research to help develop their argument. Encourage students to use a range of sources.

Provide students with the following structure to follow when completing this activity.

ABC News – Plastic bags in the firing line as public figures line up to trash inaction in NSW, Victoria and WA

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-15/plastic-bags-in-firing-line-amid-calls-for-national-ban/8711386

ABC News – Coles to follow Woolworths’ lead to phase out plastic bags around the country

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-14/woolworths-to-phase-out-plastic-bags-around-the-country/8709336

ABC – War on Waste: Do you know how many times you need to use your green bags?

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-24/war-on-waste-what-bags-to-use/8528350

BTN – Bag Ban

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s2564776.htm

BTN – Plastic Bags

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s2227446.htm

Structure of a persuasive text Introduction

• What is the point you are trying to argue?

Construct an introductory paragraph

which states the issue or topic.

• Introduce the arguments that will be

developed in the body of the text.

Body

• Construct arguments that support your

point of view.

• Each paragraph starts with a topic

sentence which introduces each point.

• The rest of the paragraph gives more

reasons.

• Arguments can be ordered from

strongest to weakest.

Conclusion

• Restate your position on the argument.

• Construct a concluding paragraph that

provides a summary of your arguments

and a call to action.

Tips for writing persuasive texts

• Who is your audience? For example, are

you directing your argument at kids,

teachers or politicians?

• Explore how language choices can have a

big impact on persuading your audience.

• Which language devices give the report

credibility and authority?

• Which are designed to create an emotional

response in the listener?

• Provide facts and evidence to support your

argument.

• Write in the present tense.

• Check your spelling and punctuation.

Use this Read Write Think persuasion map to

plan your exposition text.

©ABC 2017

BTN – Plastic Oceans

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3591476.htm

BTN – Landfill

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3953606.htm

BTN War on Waste School

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s4689455.htm

©ABC 2017

Teacher Resource

Finding Fungi

1. Before you watch the BTN story, record what you know about fungi.

2. Briefly summarise the BTN Finding Fungi story.

3. Why are fungi some of the most important organisms on the planet?

4. About how many different species of fungi are there?

5. Which Kingdom do fungi belong to?

a. Plant

b. Animal

c. Fungi

6. Fungi break down dead things to provide nutrients for other living

things. True or false?

7. Apart from mushrooms, what other organisms are part of the fungi

group?

8. Why type of fungi did Josh find?

9. Are all fungi safe to eat? Explain your answer.

10. What did you learn about fungi watching the BTN story?

After watching the BTN Fungi story, respond to the following questions:

Class Discussion

Discuss the BTN Fungi story as a class. Record what students know about

fungi on a mind map. What questions do they have about what they have

learnt in the BTN story? The following KWLH organiser provides students

with a framework to explore their knowledge on this topic and consider what

they would like to know and learn.

What do I know?

What do I want to know?

What have I learnt?

How will I find out?

- What did you SEE in this video?

- What do you THINK about what you saw in this video?

- What does this video make your WONDER?

- What did you LEARN from this story?

- What was SURPRISING about this story?

Episode 19

25th July 2017

Students will investigate the

kingdom of fungi. Students will

observe the growth of fungi such

as yeast and bread mould in

different conditions

Science – Year 4 Living things have life cycles ACSSU072 Living things depend on each other and the environment to survive ACSSU073 Science – Year 5 Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment ACSSU043 Identify, plan and apply the elements of scientific investigations to answer questions and solve problems using equipment and materials safely and identifying potential risks ACSIS086 Science – Year 6 The growth and survival of living things are affected by physical conditions of their environment ACSSU094

©ABC 2017

Key Words

Students will develop a glossary of words and terms that relate to the kingdom of fungi and scientific

classification. Below are some words to get them started. Add words and meanings to your glossary as you

come across unfamiliar words throughout your research. Consider using pictures and diagrams to illustrate

meanings.

Fungi Decompose Macroscopic kingdom Organism

Nutrients Ecosystem Species Bacteria

DNA Spores Identification Classification

ABC Gardening Australia video – The Dark World of Fungi

Students will respond to the following questions before, during and after watching this ABC Splash video

about fungi.

If a mushroom is not a plant, what is it? Discover a group of living things that are neither animals nor plants.

Explore the mysterious world of fungi and find out the conditions that they need before they can grow.

Before viewing

• Have you ever seen mould

growing on bread? How does it

get there? Where else might

mould grow?

Mould is a fungus. Do you know

any other types of fungi?

As you view

• How does Nick use the example

of green-leafed plants to explain

that mushrooms are not plants?

• What do fungi feed on?

• Can you list six different types of

fungi?

• What part of living fungi are

mushrooms?

• Why does a mushroom produce spores?

After viewing

• Explain to someone else what you know about fungi. You may want to focus on mushrooms. Include

what you know about the conditions they thrive in. Explain how we know they are not plants.

• Find out more about spores and how fungi use spores to reproduce.

Next steps

Investigate the best conditions for growing fungi. Leave out a couple of slices of bread. Spray one with water.

Seal each bread slice in a separate plastic bag. Observe what happens over several days. What did your

test show? After completing the experiment, put the plastic bags in the rubbish and do not open them.

©ABC 2017

Fungi identification

There are more than 5 million different

species of fungi around the world and did

you know that fungi are not considered as

types of plants, animals or bacteria?

They're actually a whole kingdom of their

own and they're not all mushrooms. This

kingdom also includes lots of moulds and

yeasts. Fungi can be found everywhere

even on your school oval.

In this activity, students will imagine they

are biologists exploring and identifying

different types of fungi. Students will use

the internet to find and choose a particular

type of fungi they would like to research.

Students will research their chosen fungus

using this worksheet to record their

findings. Display student’s research around

the classroom or in a public space in the

school.

Download – BTN Identification worksheet

Useful websites –

Australian National Botanic Gardens

Atlas of Living Australia

First Nature

ABC Splash – The dark world of fungi

http://splash.abc.net.au/home#!/media/104122/fungi-how-they-grow

BTN – UV Mushrooms

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s2916075.htm

©ABC 2017

BTN: Episode 19 Transcript 25/07/17 Hi, I'm Nathan Bazley, thanks for joining me for BTN! Coming up today:

• Two major supermarkets announce they've had their fill of plastic bags.

• Why the classifications you see at the start of a movie could be in for a shakeup.

• And we find out how fireworks work and reveal how you could design one of your own.

All that soon but first.

Government Ministers

Reporter: Emma Davis

INTRO: The Prime Minister has announced a big change to how Australia's national security agencies will be run. He's decided to create a new super-ministry which will bring together all of the federal organisations in charge of protecting our country and working out who should be allowed to come here. But what is a ministry and how do they work? Take a look. MINISTER: So sorry I'm late. EMMA DAVIS, REPORTER: When it comes to politics in Australia, the Prime Minister is the boss. PRIME MINISTER: Let's begin. But it really takes a team to rule a nation and that team is known as the Cabinet. PRIME MINISTER: Let's talk Cabinets. The Cabinet is made up of politicians in the federal government. It's the PM's job to pick which ones get a spot. They're called Ministers and they're each given a special area to look after, called a department. You've probably heard of the minister for health, education and immigration. But there are other ones too, like minister for tourism, sport and minister for magic! Just kidding! Oh, and some ministers can be in charge of more than one. Being a minister is an important job. It's up to them to know about and control everything that's going on in their department. It's also their responsibility to suggest new laws, which are first debated in top secret cabinet meetings before they get introduced to parliament. MINISTER: I’d like to put forward a new bill from my department.

©ABC 2017

But PM's don't just assign ministries, they can also create new ones! In fact, recently Prime Minister Turnbull created a new super-ministry! It's going to be called Home Affairs and it brings together immigration, the Border Force, the Federal Police and Australia's spy agency ASIO. MALCOLM TURNBULL, PRIME MINISTER: So, I want to stress we're taking the best elements of our intelligence and national security community and making them better. There'll also be an Office of National Intelligence, which oversees the spy agencies and a new cyber-security centre working around the clock to stop online threats. Peter Dutton is going to be the minister in charge of all that. He used to be the Immigration Minister so this new super ministry is a big promotion! PETER DUTTON, HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER: My sole purpose, as the Home Affairs Minister, will be to do everything within my power to keep Australians safe. It'll be the biggest change to Australia's national security and intelligence in 40 years and the Prime Minister says he's been working on this plan for a long time. MALCOLM TURNBULL, PRIME MINISTER: There is no room for complacency, there is no room for set and forget. PETER DUTTON, HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER: It’s going to allow us the greatest capacity to keep Australian’s safe. The new plan brings us closer to the way things are done in the UK, where all the departments that look after matters of national security report to one minister. But not everyone is convinced that it's needed. The Opposition says our spy agencies are working well as they are and some experts say it might actually be less efficient than before. But the PM says it'll help the organisations work together, which is why we have a cabinet of people working together to run Australia instead of just one. PRIME MINISTER: What are you waiting for, get going!

This Week in News

To other news now, and two Greens Senators have been forced to resign because it turned out that they are both still citizens of another country. The Australian constitution says people with dual citizenship aren't allowed to sit in parliament. That's why Queensland Senator Larissa Waters had to go. She was born in Canada even though she's lived here since she was 11 months old. And before that, Scott Ludlum realised he was still a citizen of New Zealand and stepped down too. Meanwhile it looks like Scott's replacement will be 22 -year old Uni student Jordan Steel-John.

©ABC 2017

He will become Australia's youngest ever Senator.

Dentists are calling on kids to take better care of their teeth. They say in the past 10 years there's been a 50 percent increase in the number of kids younger than 8 needing serious dental treatment and that sugary drinks and foods are partly to blame. DENTIST: Things like a tub of yoghurt for example which most people would think is healthy contains more than 6 teaspoons of sugar. But they say brushing properly is really important as well as getting a regular check-up at the dentist.

The finalists for a prestigious Australian art prize have been announced and the entries are all from kids! That's because it's the Young Archie competition which is the under-18 version of Australia's famous Archibald Prize. This year there were more than 2000 entries and these are some of the talented finalists. Poppy drew a self-portrait. Callum drew his grandad. Jessica painted her sister. And Chantelle painted her Mum. The finalists all get displayed at the gallery of New South Wales along with the Archibald finalists. And we'll find out who the winners are on the 16th of September!

How much would you pay for an old dusty bag? Well what if it had been to the moon? A mystery buyer at a New York auction has paid more than two million dollars for a pouch that was part of a mission to the moon back in 1969. Recent testing has revealed it still contains traces of moon dust. The seller has pocketed an impressive profit.

©ABC 2017

She only paid about a thousand dollars for the bag a couple of years ago.

Plastic Bag Ban

Reporter: Jack Evans

INTRO: Next up today, Australia's two biggest supermarket chains have announced they're both phasing-out single-use plastic bags nationwide. The move is a big win for those campaigning for a ban on these types of bags like 12-year old Meg. We spoke to her to find out how she felt after the phase out was announced, and what her campaign is aiming for next. MEG: Hi BTN I'm Meg from Mornington Peninsula, Victoria and I'm really excited that Coles and Woolworths have put a price on single use plastic bags and that's just the start. As you can tell Meg is pretty passionate about plastic. MEG: I'm passionate about banning plastic bags because I've grown up on the Mornington Peninsula where there are bays all around me. I've come to realise that our precious marine life are getting killed by the so called innocent plastic bag. For the past 5 years, she's been campaigning to have single-use plastic bags banned from all shops in Australia. It's something South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory already do. If you live in one of these states or territories instead of plastic bags customers have to bring their own reusable bags to supermarkets or they can purchase tougher plastic bags that can be reused. But Meg is hoping to make that ban national. She's been working hard collecting signatures for a petition to ban plastic bags and has even written to some politicians. MEG: I've been campaigning for 5 years now and I have written letters to Malcolm Turnbull, Josh Frydenberg and other local, state and federal ministers. I've had a response from multiple ministers including Malcolm Turnbull himself and Josh Frydenberg. They've said that it's up to local ministers to do something about it. Plastic bags are really bad for the environment because they can take 1000 years to decompose and a lot of them end up in our waterways. MEG: Over 5 trillion pieces of plastic end up in our ocean, 80% of that are plastic bags. Turtles think they're jelly fish so they eat, swallow then choke and die on our plastic bags. That's why we need to stop plastic bags, you can do something! In the past, some supermarkets have provided drop off points where customers can recycle their used plastic bags. But now Woolworths and Coles have announced they'll be phasing out single use plastic bags in all of their stores. BRAD BANDUCCI, WOOLWORTHS GROUP CEO: We've been looking at the feedback we get back from our customers, as well as the impact on the environment, and think it's an important thing to do and part of our commitment to a greener, more sustainable Australia. It's something Meg has been waiting to hear for a long time.

©ABC 2017

MEG: It's really good that Coles and Woolworths have put a price on single use plastic bags, but we really need to stop plastic bags all together. She says she'll now be putting her efforts into getting smaller supermarkets to agree to a phase out too. MEG: I also want to get local independent supermarkets on board. I'm going to write letters to them like I have to local, state and federal ministers. Meg says it's important for kids like her to get involved. MEG: I really want to spread the word to our generation because although children are 20% of the population we will be 100% of the future. Because we are the next generation and it is our world soon.

Did You Know?

Did you know: The reusable plastic bags supermarkets now sell to customers need to be used more than 50 times for there to be any environmental benefit.

Classification Review

Reporter: Emma Davis

INTRO: Next up, classifications are how you guys, or more likely your parents, work out which movies and TV shows are appropriate to watch. Most movies and TV shows are classified by independent Australian boards but currently, online streaming sites like Netflix decide their own. The Federal Government recently announced a review of their classifications after some controversial decisions. But some experts reckon it's time the whole system got a shakeup. Whether you're at the movies or just sitting down to watch something at home on TV, chances are you've seen something like this before. All the films, shows, documentaries and even video games we watch in Australia are given a classification before we see them. There's G for General, which everyone can watch. Then PG which means parents should keep in mind there could be a bit of bad language or violence. M means mature so while kids under 15 are legally allowed to watch it, it's not recommended. Then there are these two and it's against the law to watch them if you're under age. These rules were set up by the Australian Classification Board way back in the 90s and the system's worked pretty well since. But over the past few years, classifying stuff has become a little trickier because of the rise of online streaming. REPORTER: See a lot of the stuff on places like Netflix come straight from overseas and we like to see them at the same time other countries do. But the checking process can take a while.

©ABC 2017

So, last year the government agreed to let Netflix do the job itself. Experts say overall, that's worked pretty well, but there have been a few controversial decisions. So now the federal government's checking up on how Netflix classifies things. But some experts say we should actually come up with a completely new system instead. The Australian Council for Children and the Media says the classification system has barely changed since it was created and it's become a little outdated. ELIZABETH HANDSLEY, AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL ON CHILDREN AND THE MEDIA: We think there should be a change because the current system doesn't give parents enough information about the content and whether it's suitable for children of different ages. That's why they've proposed using a different system that focuses on age ranges and gives people a better idea about what they'll be watching. ELIZABETH HANDSLEY, AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL ON CHILDREN AND THE MEDIA: Because there's a difference between what's appropriate for a 5-year-old, what's appropriate for an 8-year-old, what's appropriate for a 10-year-old and so on. For now though, the council says parents and kids should watch more TV together and talk about how they feel about different shows and why. But what do you think? KID 1: Sometimes something on TV looks good and I want to watch it and mum or dad say maybe a bit later, when you're a bit older, not yet because it's too gruesome. KID 2: My mum said I'll watch it first and then she normally says that if it's M when I was younger and it's not as bad then she'll watch it with me. KID 3: If there's something on the TV that they're watching they'll just say watch your iPad and don't listen to it. KID 4: I think sometimes that some movies are categorised in the wrong areas but like I think it's alright. KID 2: I would like to change the school thing where you have to get a note signed for the PG thing because it's very annoying. KID 5: It should be up to what people want to watch. KID 6: I don't think it has to change although some movies are not rated high enough or too high I reckon.

Poll

And we'd like to know if you think our classification system needs an overhaul. Let us know in our online poll.

©ABC 2017

Finding Fungi

Reporter: Natasha Thiele

INTRO: Next, mushrooms are not the most exciting living things. But according to the expert in this story, they're actually the unsung heroes of nature. To find out more we joined a class of kids as they went on a schoolyard mushroom hunt. Take a look. SAPPHIRE: Good morning, so why are we here today? STUDENTS: Fungi! SAPPHIRE: Fungi, yes! SAPPHIRE McMULLAN-FISHER, FUNGUS EXPERT: They are the unsung heroes of nature. They are connected to everything. People can say my favourite animal is and I can find a fungus that is helping that animal live. NATASHA THIELE, REPORTER: These guys from Vale Park Primary School are learning all about humble fungi. You might not think of them much, but fungi expert Sapphire says the things we know as toadstools, mushrooms or truffles are actually some of the most important organisms on the planet! They're like the clean-up crew of nature, breaking down dead things to provide nutrients for living things. SAPPHIRE: Fungi are really important because they do jobs that no other organisms are doing in the ecosystem and so life would actually not work if fungi didn't do the job they do. There are more than 5 million different species of fungi around the world and did you know that fungi are not considered as types of plants or animals or bacteria? They're actually a whole kingdom of their own! And they're not all mushrooms. This kingdom also includes lots of moulds and yeasts. SAPPHIRE: Since we've done DNA and all the rest we actually know how things are related much better and depending on which scientist you talk to there are 7 or 9 or 10 kingdoms, but most people agree the big, sort of macroscopic kingdoms are plants, fungi and animals. Fungi can be found everywhere, even on your school oval! Sapphire's been teaching these guys how to identify different types of fungi. REPORTER: Hey Josh, so what have you found here? JOSH: I found an Earthstar Fungi. I'm pretty sure it's named after than because it kind of looks like a star. TASH: Ah cool! STUDENT: I think I've found some! Over here, look! SAPPHIRE: What have you found? STUDENTS: Possum poo!

©ABC 2017

SAPPHIRE: It's a huge possum poo, I think that must be a mushroom! And this is one of most common mates of mycorrhizal fungi found in Australia. But it's worth remembering that while there are heaps of different types of fungi not all of them can be eaten. Some are actually poisonous and can make you really sick. SAPPHIRE: There are very few that are edible and you really need to know what you're doing about identification if you're going to want to eat fungi, which is why it's a whole lot safer to get them from the shop! These guys say that learning about fungi and looking for fungi today has made them look at them in a completely different way. JOSH: I've learned that fungi are a different type of mushroom and they can help plants and trees grow. SARAH: I've learned about how the mycelium and spores plant and decompose the wood and sticks. JACK: Maybe next time I'll like look at them differently before you kind of like go off pick them up and go oh it's just that and chuck them.

Did You Know

Did you know: The largest living organism in the world is thought to be a Honey Fungus in the Blue Mountains of the U.S. It's at least 3.8kms across - but it's mostly underground.

Sport

British cyclist Chris Froome has done it again winning his fourth Tour De France! Aussie Michael Matthews took home the Green Jersey which is awarded to the cyclist with the highest number of sprint points. MATTHEWS: I don't think there's words that can describe this feeling, I think it's been such a dream of mine, an 11-year dry spell with Aussie sprinting so yeah, it's nice to have it back.

To the cricket now and England have beaten India by nine runs to win a thrilling Women's World Cup final at Lord's in London. Australia was one of the favourites going into the comp and was top of the ladder for most of it only losing one match in the early rounds. But they were knocked out by India in the semi-final.

©ABC 2017

MEG LANNING, AUSTRALIA CAPTAIN: We're gonna have to look at a few things and see what we need to do because all the teams around the world are improving all the time and you know the standard of this world cup has been as good as it's ever been.

Aussie swim star Mack Horton has just missed out on gold at the World Aquatic Championships in Hungary. He was beaten China's Sun Yang a bit of revenge for Horton beating him at the Rio Olympics. Horton said he was a little disappointed with the result. MACK HORTON, AUSTRALIAN SWIMMER: I thought I was capable of a little bit faster tonight, but yeah still happy to walk away with a silver, you know the year after the Olympics. The Aussie women's 100 metre freestyle relay team also came home with a silver medal behind the United States.

An Aussie Rubik’s Cube whiz has smashed some records at the world champs in Paris. Feliks Zemdegs already held the record for the fastest solve of the classic three by three puzzle. But while he didn't win that event he did break the speed records for some more complex cubes. Including the 5 by 5, 6 by 6 and 7 by 7.

And, if you're afraid of heights this probably isn't the job for you! These famous Wingwalkers from the UK performed these breathtaking stunts at dizzying heights and speeds! And if that's not enough to make you feel a little lightheaded how about a handstand? Like it wasn't impressive enough already.

How do fireworks work?

Reporter: Jack Evans

INTRO: Finally today, no big public celebration is complete without a fireworks display.

©ABC 2017

But how are fireworks created and set off to create such an amazing spectacle? To find out, we met up with the mind behind the mammoth Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks, and after we'll tell you all about how you can help design one of the fireworks featured in this year's event! Every year millions of people tune in or tackle the crowds around Sydney Harbour to watch this epic fireworks display bring in the new year. But have you ever wondered how fireworks, well, work? There are all sorts of different fireworks. But the main ones used to create big colourful displays like this one are called mortars and here's what they look like inside. The first step is to get the firework into the air. That's what this 'lifting charge' is for. Once up in the air at the right height this fuse triggers the second charge inside this shell, called the burst charge, which is the big colourful explosion you'd know and love. You've probably seen fireworks explode in all different shapes and colours too. That's because of these little pellets that sit in the shell called stars. They can be arranged so they explode into different shapes: Circles, love hearts, stars, you name it. The chemicals the pellets are made of also control the colour of the firework. For example, if the pellet contains sodium chloride it'll make a yellow flame. Copper creates a blue flame and Strontium burns red and there are heaps of other colours too. To create a big firework display, it takes a lot of time to set it all up. Each year Sydney uses around 20,000 different fireworks for their New Year’s display and this guy, Forch, has the job of get it all up into the sky safely and at the right time. FORCH: There's a lot of work that goes into a fireworks display. Obviously, there's the design factor first where you have to design the fireworks display. Once he's done designing, the fireworks are made in a factory. Then it's time to set them up. Forch and his team use 60 kilometres of wire and cables that are connected to computers which set the fireworks off at precise times, usually to music. FORCH: So, you put in all your cues where you want the fireworks to go off, what type of firework you want to go off, how many fireworks you want to go off. He reckons the best firework designs are simple but use a lot of imagination. FORCH: the first steps for the firework itself is having the imagination to be able to come up with a design that is simple, creative and looks effective.

ABC ME Design a Firework Competition

Now, after seeing that, how would you like to have a go at designing a firework of your own? Well ABC ME, in conjunction with the City of Sydney is giving you the chance to make one that'll be seen above Sydney this New Year's Eve! To enter, just get creative and draw the very best firework design you can think of. ABC ME have made a step by step guide to help you. The design which shows the most

©ABC 2017

creativity, effort and of course can actually be made into a firework will win! Just head to our website for all the details.

Closer

Sounds good and that's it for today! Thanks for joining me I'll see you next week for more BTN.