CSIRO Double Helix Science Club
Science Magazine and Activities for Kids
Australia's CSIRO produces a great range of fun science resources for students of all ages including magazines and a weekly email with science projects and information.
The Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) produces two fun and informative magazines for children interested in science as well as providing a free weekly science by email service.
Scientriffic and The Helix Magazines
These two magazines aim to make science fun and accessible to school-aged children. Scientriffic targets students aged 7+ and The Helix is for students aged 10+. The magazines include articles on nature, astronomy, weather, geology, technology and a variety of other scientific disciplines. There are step-by-step instructions for hands-on science projects and competitions with prizes ranging from books and DVDs to science kits.
Students can send in letters and drawings, write reviews of books and DVDs and find pen-friends. There is also a regular interview article featuring an individual or group involved in some sort of scientific pursuit. This may be a botanist or medical researcher or a primary school group working on making their school more environmentally friendly.
There are also occasional opportunities to contribute information for scientific research, such as the national Millipede Mayhem project.
Science By Email
On Friday each week, the CSIRO sends out an email with short science-related articles, activities and links. The content is aimed to appeal to readers of both the Scientriffic and The Helix magazines providing science news from Australia and around the world. The email can be received as part of a Double Helix Science Club membership or can be subscribed to separately at no cost.
The Double Helix Science Club
Member of the Double Helix Science Club receive a Scientriffic or The Helix magazine every two months, a weekly Science by Email, notification of member events that are held at the nine CSIRO Science Education Centres throughout the year, discounts off purchases from the CSIRO shop and also discounts for entrance to the Parkes Radio Telescope (‘The Dish’) and the CSIRO Discovery Centre in the ACT.
Members also receive members’ discounts and information on a variety of school holiday science programs held throughout Australia. These activity days include creating projects such as an air-powered rocket racer, telescope or colour changing acid paper and exploring science in fun and exciting ways.
Double Helix Membership Costs
Yearly subscription (6 issues) to Scientriffic or The Helix cost $A26. A two year subscription (12 issues) is available at a small discount of $A50. Overseas subscriptions for one or two years are available for a cost of $A40 and $A77 respectively. A discount if offered for multiple one year subscriptions to the same address, charged at $A24 each for Australia and $A38 each for overseas.
Subscriptions are available through the CSIRO Double Helix website and payment is by Visa or Mastercard only.
Teacher’s guides for both magazines are available at a cost of $A8/year or they can be downloaded for free from the website.
Home and School Science Resource
The Double Helix Club magazines, emails and website provide wonderful science resources for teachers, parents and students interested in science. The information is always presented in an interesting and accessible manner with a strong emphasis in getting students involved and making learning science theory fun and entertaining.
