National Science week 2024 quiz

National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. The 2024 school theme is (a)  

Answer explanation

The theme aims to highlight the importance of science and innovation in ensuring the survival and thriving of different species in an ever-changing world.

Which of the following elements is named after where it was first discovered?

• Hydrogen

• Helium

• Lithium

• Berryllium

Answer explanation

Helium is named after the Sun. It was originally discovered as a particularly bright yellow colour in the rainbow of sunlight.

How many neck bones does a giraffe have?

• 5

• 7

• 10

• 12

Answer explanation

Seven. Despite its length, gira e's necks are made up of just seven large bones known as cervical vertebrae.

A bluebottle isn’t one animal, it’s a colony of lots of animals all working together.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The bluebottle is a colony of tiny, specialised polyps working together as colonies.

What’s the biggest native animal that lives in Australia (HINT: it has to spend at least some time on land to count)?

(a)  

Answer explanation

Some crocs can get up to 6m long, versus a Red Kangaroo which is the largest mammal and strictly land based.

Sir Howard Florey shares the 1945 Nobel Prize in Medicine with colleague Ernst B. Chain and Alexander Fleming for the discovery of (a)   and its curative effect in various infectious diseases.

How was Australia’s tallest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko, formed?

• Volcano

• Continental collision

• Australia drifted over a lump in the mantle

• Asteroid impact

Answer explanation

Australia drifted over a lump in the mantle (the part between the core and the crust). Most of the world’s mountain belts are the result of two continents colliding (e.g. the Himalayas) or volcanism. The mountains of Australia’s Eastern highlands – stretching from North-eastern Queensland to Western Victoria - are an exception!

How many moons are in the Solar System? (as of July 2024)

• 188

• 388

• 88

• 288

Answer explanation

Earth: 1 Mars: 2 Jupiter: 95 Saturn: 146 Uranus: 28 Neptune: 16

The Sun was warmer back when the Earth was formed, 4.5 million years ago?

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The Sun is actually warming up!

How many legs does a butterfly have?

• 3

• 4

• 5

• 6

Answer explanation

Butterflies have six jointed legs, a pair of antennae and three body parts called a head, thorax (chest), and abdomen (tail end). The four wings and the six legs of a butterfly are attached to its thorax.