Particle Word for Word

Invasive species are a known threat to biodiversity in Australia. But lesser known is the humble Buffel grass.

Buffel's threat is equal to that of feral cat and fox predation, so why isn't it better known?

Introduced over a century ago, Buffel can spread rapidly and is currently threatening not only Aussie animals and biodiversity, but it’s also threatening connection to Country.

Join host, Morgan Knoxlee as we delve into why Buffel g...

The word ‘maths’ means a lot of things for a lot of different people.

In this episode, host Morgan Knoxlee introduces three Particle stories, written by Owen Cumming and Kassandra Zaza, and read by Cat Williams.

The sum of these three great stories might divide you. We hope you have a good time(s) listening and maybe enjoy a take-away while you’re at it.

So, what is maths, how does it work, and how can it really be applied to pasta?

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While Word for Word is on break, we’re bringing you an episode from The Particle Podcast where big ideas meet curious minds.

In this conversation, we explore the world of science communication. What is it, really? Why does it matter? And how can we make science more relatable, more accessible… and maybe even more fun?

Whether you’re a science nerd, a teacher, a researcher, or just someone who loves a good yarn, this episode for you.

T...

This week on Word for Word, we’re featuring an episode from Elements, a powerful audio series hosted by Owen Cumming.

In this story, we explore Western Australia’s deep relationship with water. From bushfires to floods, droughts to deluges, this episode traces how water moves through our landscape… and what happens when the climate begins to shift.

It’s a story of science, resilience, and learning to live with extremes, not against t...

While Word for Word takes a short break between seasons, we’re sharing something special from the Particle universe. This episode comes from Please Look Up our cosmic podcast hosted by Leon and Beth.

From constellations to cosmic events, they explore what’s happening above us and why it matters down here. It’s science, it’s stargazing, and it’s all in a language we can actually understand.

So, sit back, look up, and enjoy this episod...

Season one of Particle Word for Word has officially wrapped! While we take a short break, we’re not leaving your feed empty. In this episode, Morgan reflects on the stories we’ve shared, the voices we’ve heard, and what’s coming next. You’ll also hear how we’re keeping things fresh with a few surprise episodes from across the Particle universe.

Got feedback? We’d love to hear from you, send us your thoughts at particle@scitech.org.a...

The future of energy isn’t flashy... it’s elemental.

In this episode, host Morgan Knoxlee introduces three Particle 101s written by Emily Evans and read by Cat Williams, diving into the natural forces that have powered human life for thousands of years: sun, sea, and sky.

From ancient windmills to WA’s biggest solar farms, and waves off Albany with the potential to power entire towns these aren’t just climate solutions, they’re moder...

These warty little invaders are marching west and scientists in WA are fighting back with a surprisingly simple strategy: cutting off their water supply. In this episode, host Morgan Knoxlee introduces a story written by Cat Williams and read by Evan Thyer, diving into a bold new approach to one of Australia’s most toxic pests.

It’s smart, it’s low-tech, and it might just work.

Listen in to hear how Traditional Owners, researchers, a...

What if the best classroom didn’t have walls at all?

In this episode of Particle Word for Word, we head to Turtle Camp a hands-on conservation program blending science, culture, and connection to Country. Written and read by Cat Williams, this story explores how kids in the Pilbra are learning to track turtles, monitor nests, and care for their environment in ways rooted in thousands of years of knowledge.

It’s not just about turtles...

In this episode of Particle Word for Word, we dive headfirst into the fascinating, futuristic and sometimes fraught world of de-extinction.

What happens when you splice a woolly mammoth gene into a lab mouse? What if extinction wasn’t the end of the story, but just... an intermission? Join us as we explore the sharp, speculative science behind resurrecting long lost species from genetic puzzles to ecological ethics.

Based on the arti...

Written and read by Cody Robinson

In this episode, Cody Robinson takes us to Garden Island, a restricted naval base off Western Australia’s coast, where one of the state’s northernmost little penguin colonies is quietly fighting for survival. Away from the crowds of Penguin Island, Cody joins marine biologist Dr Belinda Cannell on a survey mission, scrambling over rocks, peering into burrows, and piecing together a story of resilien...

Written and read by Tom Gurn

Deep beneath Western Australia's Nullarbor Plain, scientists are uncovering a hidden world of rare cave-dwelling spiders. In this episode, Tom Gurn takes us underground to explore the eerie silence, delicate ecosystems, and the surprising discoveries that come with searching for life in total darkness. These blind, pale arachnids may be tiny, but they raise big questions about conservation, extinction, a...

Giant wombats. Marsupial lions. Thunderbirds. Australia’s ancient landscapes were once home to massive megafauna creatures as strange as they were enormous. But around 40,000 years ago, they vanished.

In this episode, we explore the mystery behind their extinction. Was it climate change? Human hunting? Or something more complex? With new fossil evidence and evolving scientific theories, we dig into the clues that could finally solve...

They don’t move, don’t make noise, and don’t have brains but sea sponges might just help cure cancer. In this episode, we dive into the hidden world of marine sponges and the incredible promise they hold for modern medicine. With research happening right here in Western Australia, scientists are uncovering powerful chemical compounds inside these ancient ocean dwellers, some already used in cancer treatments, others just waiting to...

The ocean is full of sound, from the haunting calls of whales to the crackling of coral reefs. But now, those natural voices are being drowned out by noise pollution. Ships, sonar, oil rigs, and even tourism are changing the underwater soundscape, making it harder for marine animals to communicate, navigate, and survive.

In this episode, we explore how human-made noise is disrupting marine life, what scientists are doing to understa...

For far too long, women have been seen as secondary to men under the patriarchal rule of human society.

Yet, humanity’s existence has been a minor blip in the history of the Earth, where females are the dominant sex of many species.

The differences between men and women are far greater culturally than biologically.

In animals like the noolbenger/honey possum, females are highly promiscuous, forcing males to evolve some impressive anat...