Why do spiders have hairy legs? Do sharks sneeze? Is there anything hotter than the sun? The team behind The Conversation’s Curious Kids has the answers to these and many more weird and wonderful questions.

The Conversation is an Australian news and perspectives website. Via its hugely popular Curious Kids section, The Conversation encourages inquisitive children to ask the questions they’ve always wondered about. From biology research fellows to associate professors, experts then provide insightful answers in simple and engaging language.

Workshop your curiosity

Victorian Government Grade 5 teachers are encouraged to submit their  class’ best science-related question to digital.learning@edumail.vic.gov.au by 15 February for the chance to participate in a live Curious Kids workshop at your school.

Selected classes will be visited by Curious Kids Editor Sunanda Creagh and an academic expert, on Monday 18 or Tuesday 19 March.

The expert will share their insights with students, explaining how they found the answer to the questions they received. Sunanda will share with students an entertaining conversation about journalism and following your curiosity.

Not a Grade 5 teacher but still curious?

All students encouraged to submit their questions to the Curious Kids team, and an expert in the field might publish an answer. Questions can be emailed to curiouskids@theconversation.edu.au

You can even submit your own class question. No question is too serious or too silly for Curious Kids.

While not all questions can be answered, you can keep an eye on whether yours has by subscribing to The Conversation’s daily news

The Conversation as a teaching resource

As a teaching resource, Curious Kids is an entertaining, evidence-based tool that helps engage students and encourage a love of learning.

Explore many more weird and wonderful questions, including why we dream and why English has so many spelling rules via FUSE Curious Kids

More broadly, The Conversation features articles written by academics with deep subject expertise that are evidence-based and/or informed by genuine insight.

As a strategic partner of The Conversation, the Victorian Department of Education provides Victorian Curriculum-mapped access to the site’s content. Teachers can even pitch their own story ideas at The Conversation for teachers