The Fact Detectives

Kinderling Kids

The Fact Detectives are two curious kids on a mission to find out all the cool facts about EVERYTHING!

Join Anika and Dexter as they take their BIG questions to some very smart grown-ups who know lots of interesting facts about lots of interesting stuff.

In this brand new season, The Fact Detectives ask; What does a Triceratops and a Peacock have in common? Can you pat a shark? And what is an animal mummy?

Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson

Producer: Cinnamon Nippard

Sound Designer: Josh Newth, Cinnamon Nippard, Darcy Milne

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89 episodes
Updated Apr 25, 2024

Episodes89

Newest first

Sep 27, 2022 · 4 min
Fan Facts: Milly and Olly (Water and The Moon)
In our first ever Fan Facts episode, we answer questions from our fans, Detective Milly and Detective Olly. Discover where water comes from and how far the moon is from the Earth! Do YOU have a big Fact Detective question? Send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au Host: Billy and The Super Computer Production and Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  Hear it first on LiSTNR. Listen ad-free on Kinderling.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 26, 2022 · 15 min
Elephants
Are elephants the biggest animals on earth? Do elephants really never forget? And why do elephants have trunks? Join Anika and Dexter as they find out all the excellent facts about elephants with Clare McArthur from the University of Sydney. Guest: Clare McArthur who is a Professor of Behavioural Ecology at the University of Sydney Hosts: Anika and Dexter  Production: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 11, 2022 · 14 min
Crystals
What are crystals? What’s the difference between crystals, minerals and rocks? How do crystals form and get their shape? Join Anika and Dexter as they learn all about crystals with Dermot Henry who is a geologist and Head of Sciences at Museums Victoria. 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: Dermot Henry who is a geologist and Head of Sciences at Museums Victoria Production: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 28, 2022 · 17 min
Exercise
Can exercise make us smarter? How can exercise make us happy? Where does the word muscle come from? And what exercise should we do? Find out what exercise actually does to our bodies with Catriona Nguyen-Robertson from Scienceworks who fills in Anika and Dexter on all the excellent 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: Catriona Nguyen-Robertson from Scienceworks Hosts: Anika and Dexter  Production: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 4, 2022 · 10 min
Welcome to Country
What is a Welcome to Country? What is Country and why is it important? What’s the difference between an Acknowledgment of Country and a Welcome to Country? Join Anika and Dexter as they learn all about this special ceremony with Di-Di Vaha’akolo who is a First Peoples Programs Officer 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: Di-Di Vaha’akolo, First Peoples Programs Officer at Melbourne Museum Production: Cinnamon Nippard Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 4, 2022 · 16 min
Moons
What is a moon? Why does the moon shine at night? Do other planets have moons too? Find out all the incredible facts about moons Join Anika and Dexter as they find our all the illuminating facts about moons with Sara Webb from 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: Sara Webb, astronomer at Swinburne University of Technology and the Melbourne Planetarium at Scienceworks Hosts: Anika and Dexter  Production: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 19, 2022 · 14 min
Tasmanian Devils
What cute Aussie animal has pink ears and sounds really scary?? A Tasmanian Devil of course! How did Tasmanian Devils get their name? What kinds of sounds do they make? What kinds of special super powers do they have? Join Anika and Dexter as they find out all the terrific facts about Tasmanian Devils like with Danielle Kennedy from the Devils@Cradle sanctuary. Guest: Danielle Kennedy from Devils@Cradle sanctuary in Tasmania Hosts: Anika and Dexter  Production: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 4, 2022 · 15 min
Electricity
This episode will be sure to spark your curiosity! What is electricity? How do lightbulbs work? And why do we get a shock from static electricity? Plug into this fun episode where Anika and Dexter investigate electricity with Tom Lang from Scienceworks who gives them all the zap-tastic 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. Hosts: Anika and Dexter  Production: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound Design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 21, 2022 · 16 min
Venom and Poison
What is the difference between venom and poison? Why do they exist? How can venom and poison help us? And why are there so many venomous creatures in Australia? In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Tim Jackson who venom at the Australian Venom Research Unit. Press play to find out all the amazing facts about venom and poison. Guest: Dr Tim Jackson, evolutionary toxinologist at the Australian Venom Research Unit. Hosts: Anika and Dexter Production: Cinnamon Nippard Sound design: Josh Newth Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 25, 2022 · 13 min
Deep Sea Creatures
How deep is the deepest part of the ocean? What creatures live down there and why do they look so strange? In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Melanie MacKenzie who is a marine biologist at Melbourne Museum. Join them as they get the low down on in deep sea creatures! 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: Melanie MacKenzie is a marine biologist at Museums Victoria. Hosts: Anika and Dexter Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 3, 2022 · 14 min
Fire
Tune in to learn some hot facts about fire! Like how does fire work? How do you stop a fire? And can eucalyptus trees really explode? In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Grant Williamson who studies wildfires and climate change at the university of Tasmania. Press play to kindle your curiosity so you can learn all the fantastic facts about fire. Guest: Grant Williamson who studies wildfires and climate change at the university of Tasmania Hosts: Anika and Dexter Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 17, 2022 · 18 min
Viruses
Are you sick of not knowing all the answers? Well the Fact Detectives are back with their 'catchiest' topic yet - viruses. What's the difference between viruses and germs? How do they spread? And what DO they have in common with zombies!? In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with immunologist Catriona Nguyen-Robertson from Scienceworks. Join them as they find out all the nitty gritty facts about viruses! 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: Immunologist Catriona Nguyen-Robertson from Scienceworks Hosts: Anika and Dexter Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 3, 2022 · 11 min
Seahorses
Are seahorses really horses? Why do seahorses have curly tails? Do dad seahorses really have babies instead of the mums? In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with marine biologist Mitch Brennen. Push play to swim into all the amazing facts about seahorses. Guest: Mitch Brennan who is a marine biologist at the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and University of Technology, Sydney Hosts: Anika and Dexter Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 19, 2022 · 9 min
Volcanoes
What is a volcano? Are there any volcanoes in Australia? Could lava take over the whole world? In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Oskar Lindenmayer who is a geologist at Melbourne Museum. Join them as they bubble into all the boiling hot facts about volcanoes! 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: Oskar Lindenmayer who is a geologist at Museums Victoria. Hosts: Anika and Dexter Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 6, 2022 · 10 min
Koalas
Are koalas bears? Why do they have such fluffy ears? What’s the pouch for? And why do koalas sleep all the time? In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with zoologist Chris Humfrey. Press play to climb into all the amazing facts about one of Australia’s most iconic animals. Guest: Zoologist Chris Humfrey Hosts: Anika and Dexter Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 23, 2021 · 13 min
The Sun
What is the sun made of? Why do we get sunburnt? And why do we have a day and a night? In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Tanya Hill who is an astronomer at the Melbourne Planetarium at Scienceworks. Join them as they zoom into all the scorching facts about the sun! 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: Dr Tanya Hill who is an astronomer at the Melbourne Planetarium at Scienceworks Hosts: Anika and Dexter Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 9, 2021 · 9 min
Reindeer
Can reindeer really fly? Do their noses go red like Rudolph’s? And were Santa’s reindeer boys or girls? Anika and Dexter catch up with Lindsay Murray who is an animal psychologist at the University of Chester in the UK. Press play to leap into all the amazing facts about reindeer! And if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au Guest: Lindsay Murray is an animal psychologist at the University of Chester in the UK Hosts: Anika and Dexter Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 25, 2021 · 10 min
Seastars
Are seastars the same as star fish? Where are their eyes? And can they really grow their arms back? In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Melanie MacKenzie who is a marine biologist at Museums Victoria. Join them as they dive into all the amazing facts about seastars! This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Melbourne Museum. Guest: Melanie MacKenzie is a marine biologist at Museums Victoria. Hosts: Anika and Dexter Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 11, 2021 · 13 min
Whales
In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Vanessa Pirotta who is a wildlife scientist and science communicator. Press play to dive into all the amazing facts about whales, including: can whales sing? How do they breathe? Do they have teeth? And why are some whales so bumpy? Guest: Vanessa Pirotta who is a wildlife scientist and science communicator. Hosts: Anika and Dexter Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 10, 2021 · 12 min
Black Holes
In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Kirsten Banks who fills us in on the inescapable facts about black holes! Press play to hear all the mysterious facts like: What is a blackhole? What would happen if you fell into one? And, could a black hole eat the earth....? Guest: Kirsten Banks - Wiradjuri astrophysicist and science communicator Hosts: Anika and Dexter   Producer: Cinnamon Nippard Sound Design: Darcy Milne Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.