11 episodes

Join the Particle team as we explore how the four natural elements shape the people of Western Australia and their physical environment.
Find out more about all the weird and wonderful science happening in Western Australia via www.particle.scitech.org.au

Elements Particle WA

    • Science
    • 5.0 • 1 Rating

Join the Particle team as we explore how the four natural elements shape the people of Western Australia and their physical environment.
Find out more about all the weird and wonderful science happening in Western Australia via www.particle.scitech.org.au

    Humans are drawn to fire, for better or worse

    Humans are drawn to fire, for better or worse

    Madeleine Mitchell kicks off the second season of Elements by looking at the dramatically different ways fire can influence our lives.
    In Western Australia, the annual Blazing Swan festival culminates with the burning of a giant wooden effigy. The bonfire brings people together to provide them with a sense of awe and joy.
    But what happens when a fire is unplanned and uncontrollable? What do we feel then?
    Please be aware, the second half of this episode mentions PTSD and suicide. Take care while listening.
    If you are located in Australia, you can access 24/7 help through:
    Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.auBeyond Blue: 1300 224 636 beyondblue.org.au/forumsFull transcription and citations for the episode can be found here.
    Credits
    Host: Beth Maskall
    Producer: Madeleine Mitchell
    Guest experts: Hana Priest, Dr Wavne Rikkers
    Executive producers: Michelle Aitken, Zaya Altangerel
    Sound editing: Michelle Aitken, Zaya Altangerel, Alyshia Gatani
    Voice acting: Mita Hill, Caitlin McLeod, Evan Thyer
    Cover artwork: Gabriel Ibias
    And a special thank you to Michael Gatt, Lisa Larsen-Henry and everyone who helped make this season possible.

    • 24 min
    How come we’re not covered in ash every single day?

    How come we’re not covered in ash every single day?

    Gianfranco Di Giovanni explores the possibilities of what we could achieve if government and Noongar people can work together on bushfire management.
    Full transcription and citations for the episode can be found here.
    Credits
    Host: Beth Maskall
    Producer: Gianfranco Di Giovanni
    Guest experts: Michael Pasotti, Lynette Knapp, Ursula Rodrigues, Dr Alison Lullfitz
    Executive producers: Michelle Aitken, Zaya Altangerel
    Sound design: Michelle Aitken, Zaya Altangerel, and Alyshia Gatani
    Cover artwork: Gabriel Ibias
    And a special thank you to Michael Gatt, Lisa Larsen-Henry and everyone who helped make this season possible.

    • 23 min
    The threat of fire touches us all

    The threat of fire touches us all

    Lawrence Drown takes a tour of a local fire station to uncover the influence of fire safety measures in unexpected places such as hiking boots and iconic architecture.
    Full transcription and citations for the episode can be found here.
    Credits
    Host: Beth Maskall
    Producer: Lawrence Drown
    Guest experts: Mark Otto, Timothy Moore, Gavin Maund
    Executive producers: Michelle Aitken, Zaya Altangerel
    Sound editing: Michelle Aitken, Zaya Altangerel, and Alyshia Gatani
    Cover artwork: Gabriel Ibias
    And a special thank you to Michael Gatt, Lisa Larsen-Henry and everyone who helped make this season possible.

    • 28 min
    Animals taking advantage of fire

    Animals taking advantage of fire

    Cat Williams learns that humans aren’t the only species who use fire to their advantage. Some birds and cats know their way around a fire just as well.
    Cat also has some fun drawing a tenuous link between fire and ants. We promise it’ll make sense.
    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are warned that this episode contains the name of a person who has died.
    Full transcription and citations for the episode can be found here.
    Credits
    Host: Beth Maskall
    Producer: Cat Williams
    Guest experts: Dr Hugh McGregor, Mark Bonta, Reece Pianta
    Executive producers: Michelle Aitken, Zaya Altangerel
    Sound editing: Michelle Aitken, Zaya Altangerel, and Alyshia Gatani
    Cover artwork: Gabriel Ibias
    And a special thank you to Michael Gatt, Lisa Larsen-Henry and everyone who helped make this season possible.

    • 27 min
    Memories of the last Ice Age

    Memories of the last Ice Age

    Danni Stewart closes out the second season of Elements by taking us on a journey through Noongar Country to highlight how vulnerable it is to the effects of global warming.  
    Along the way, Danni learns how the ‘hyper local’ stories passed through generations of Noongar people carries ‘climate memory’ from the last Ice Age.  
    Full transcription and citations for the episode can be found here.   
    Credits  
    Host: Beth Maskall  
    Producer: Danni Stewart 
    Guest experts: Dr Jatin Kala, Dr Cass Lynch, Dr Karen Filbee-Dexter 
    Executive producers: Michelle Aitken, Zaya Altangerel  
    Sound editing: Michelle Aitken, Zaya Altangerel, and Alyshia Gatani 
    Cover artwork: Gabriel Ibias 
    And a special thank you to Michael Gatt, Lisa Larsen-Henry and everyone who helped make this season possible. 

    • 26 min
    Elements S02: Fire

    Elements S02: Fire

    Water, fire, earth and air. Each season of Elements is about one of the four classical elements, and how they shape the world around us.
    In season one, we demistified complex issues such as drought, desalination, recycling water, coastal erosion and more. As for season two, we’re going to get lit. Literally.
    In season two, we have five episodes, from five producers, all about fire. We’ll hear stories from all corners of Western Australia, covering everything from festival bonfires to devastating wildfires, from echoes of ancient knowledge to the technological possibilities of the future.
    Tune into season two of the Elements podcast now.

    • 1 min

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