Questions for discussion

New Government

  1. Retell the BtN New Government story.
  2. What is a hung parliament?
  3. How long has it been since Australia has had a hung parliament?
  4. What is the House of Representatives?
  5. How are politicians chosen for the House of Representatives?
  6. How many seats does a party need in the House of Representatives to form a government?
  7. What is an Independent member of parliament?
  8. What role will they play in this election?
  9. How could decision making be affected by a hung parliament?
  10. What do you understand more clearly since watching the New Government story?

Write a message about the story and post it on the BtN guestbook http://abc.net.au/btn/guestbook.html

Cycling safety

1.  What was the main point raised in the Cycling safety story?

2.  What are the benefits of bike riding?

3.  When did wearing a bike helmet become compulsory in Australia?

4.  It is compulsory to wear a helmet in all countries. True or false?

5.  Why are some researchers saying that people shouldn’t have to wear a helmet?

6.  What do they say has been the biggest factor in reducing head injuries?

7.  Give some examples of improved bike safety.

8.  Many experts think that scrapping bike helmet laws is dangerous. Why?

9.  What do you think? Should bike helmets be compulsory for cyclists? Explain your answer.

10.  Survey students in the school about the issue. Collate and display the results.

`Should cyclists be made to wear helmets?’ Vote in the online poll.

Test your knowledge in the online quiz.

Ozone layer

  1. Discuss the issues raised in the Ozone layer story with another student.
  2. What did scientists predict would happen by 2065?
  3. Describe the impact it would have on people’s lives.
  4. What is ozone?
  5. What does ozone absorb?
  6. What are the consequences of ozone depletion?
  7. Name the substance that was causing the hole in the ozone layer.
  8. What happened as a result of the Montreal Protocol?
  9. Complete the following sentence: Recent measurements are showing that the ozone layer has…
  10. Illustrate an aspect of this story.

Create an illustration that shows how the world might look without the ozone layer to protect it.

Career building

  1. Before you watch the BtN story, draw a picture of a construction worker.
  2. What is the construction program trying to achieve?
  3. Why does Australia need construction workers?
  4. Brainstorm a list of things that you associate with construction workers. Are there any stereotypes in the list?
  5. What skills are the girls learning in the program?
  6. What are the advantages of these sorts of programs being taught in secondary schools?
  7. What is an apprenticeship?
  8. Why are girls being encouraged to consider a job in the construction industry?
  9. Discuss the images of construction workers drawn before watching the BtN story.
  10. How has your thinking changed?

Find images that show people in traditional and non-traditional jobs. Write a caption for each image.


Youth Olympics

  1. Briefly summarise the Youth Olympics story.
  2. Where are the Youth Olympics being held?
  3. How long has trampolining been an Olympic sport?
  4. Retell Natalie Skinner’s story.
  5. Name some other sports included in the Youth Olympics.
  6. What age do athletes need to be to compete in the Youth Olympics?
  7. What do the athletes learn about when they are not competing?
  8. The Aussie athletes have been most successful in the ______.
  9. The London Olympics will be held in
  10. 2011
  11. 2012
  12. 2014
  13. How does the Youth Olympics prepare young athletes for future Olympics?

Create a profile of an Australian athlete competing at the Youth Olympics.

© ABC 2010