National Science Week kicks off, and the World’s Ugliest Dog.

Your daily kids news podcast. National Science Week kicks off; Belgium’s ferret rat-busters; 12-year-old surf champ; and the World’s Ugliest Dog. A Japanese rocket is zooming through space, chasing a giant, cigar-shaped “dark comet” that may hold clues to how water first came to Earth. Brussels is thinking of sending ferrets into drains to chase away an explosion of stinky brown rats. These furry pest-busters could be the city’s secret weapon. Meet Kelia Mehani Gallina — the fearless 12-year-old who took on one of the world’s toughest surf breaks in Tahiti. The World’s Ugliest Dog contest has a new champ — Petunia, a hairless English-French bulldog who snagged first place (and $5,000!). For the full episode transcript, click here. Sciencey Shortcut Archive SpaceThe Space Race - https://www.squizkids.com.au/squiz-kids-shortcuts/your-shortcut-to-the-space-race/The Webb Deep Space Telescope - https://www.squizkids.com.au/squiz-kids-shortcuts/the-webb-deep-space-telescope/Mars - https://www.squizkids.com.au/squiz-kids-shortcuts/mars/ EnvironmentThe Great Barrier Reef - https://www.squizkids.com.au/squiz-kids-shortcuts/the-great-barrier-reef/The Deep Sea - https://www.squizkids.com.au/squiz-kids-shortcuts/the-deep-sea/Water - https://www.squizkids.com.au/squiz-kids-shortcuts/water/Climate Change - https://www.squizkids.com.au/squiz-kids-shortcuts/climate-change-cop28-shortcut/ BodyVanquished Viruses and Banished Bacteria https://www.squizkids.com.au/squiz-kids-shortcuts/your-shortcut-to-vanquished-viruses-and-banished-bacteria/Blood - https://www.squizkids.com.au/squiz-kids-shortcuts/blood/The History of Vaccines - https://www.squizkids.com.au/squiz-kids-shortcuts/the-history-of-vaccines/ Natural PhenomenaEarthquakes and Volcanoes - https://www.squizkids.com.au/squiz-kids-shortcuts/earthquakes-and-volcanoes/Cyclones, Hurricanes and Typhoons - https://www.squizkids.com.au/squiz-kids-shortcuts/your-shortcut-to-cyclones-hurricanes-and-typhoons/Bushfires - https://www.squizkids.com.au/squiz-kids-shortcuts/bushfires_shortcut/The Secret World of Maths - https://www.squizkids.com.au/squiz-kids-shortcuts/the-secret-world-of-maths/The Theory of Evolution - https://www.squizkids.com.au/squiz-kids-shortcuts/your-shortcut-to-the-theory-of-evolution/ AnimalsGalapagos Islands - https://www.squizkids.com.au/squiz-kids-shortcuts/the-galapagos-islands/Invasive Species - https://www.squizkids.com.au/squiz-kids-shortcuts/the-deep-sea/Sharks - https://www.squizkids.com.au/squiz-kids-shortcuts/your-shortcut-to-sharks/World's Toughest Animals - https://www.squizkids.com.au/squiz-kids-shortcuts/your-shortcut-to-the-worlds-toughest-animals/Clever Critters - https://www.squizkids.com.au/squiz-kids-shortcuts/clever-critters/ OtherSugar - https://www.squizkids.com.au/squiz-kids-shortcuts/sugar/Aussie Inventions That Changed The World - https://www.squizkids.com.au/squiz-kids-shortcuts/aussie-inventions-that-changed-the-world/