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Friday 14th December 2007 Issue: 84

Yippee! The holidays are almost upon us and Haywire is all togged up in its sparkly frock and ready to party! We hope you have a fantastic time and don’t forget to join us in 2008! Plus why not spread the word and invite a few more pals to sign up too.  

  1. Winter Winnersland – festive fun from Planet Science
  2. The Buzz – it’s a dog’s life
  3. Crash Bang! – Simply Nuts
  4. Web Watch – jokes, games and songs
  5. Winners – Tickets to the IMAX
  6. Tummy Ticklers – holiday hoots

1. Winter Winnersland

What could be better than a competition where you’re bound to get all the answers right?  EXACTLY! So that’s why Planet Science have come up with Winter Winnersland – you trot around the wintry scene lighting up Christmas lights by answering the questions correctly.  Hurrah! And then you answer a final question and get yourselves in the draw to win a very familiar little festive pal. Good luck and have fun!

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2. The Buzz – Science news delivered to your inbox…

Just a little reminder to you not to overindulge your canine pals this holiday. We all like a bit of chocolate now and again and it seems cruel to deny your dog a little taste but unfortunately it could make him or her ill.

Choccie contains a chemical called theobromine, which can be REALLY harmful to pooches.  If your dog swallows it, it can cause sickness, a sore tummy, drooling and fits. It's even been known to kill.

Usually, dark chocolate has higher amounts of theobromine and should be especially avoided. Obviously, the smaller your dog, the bigger the chances that it might get poorly.

So stick to doggie chocs - which don’t contain theobromine – and are available from pet shops too, so you can buy them without fear of harming your pet. After all, none of us want a poorly pooch do we?

Talking of dogs – Barney, the American president’s dog has released his annual Christmas video. In the video Barney wants to become a park ranger.  It even features our former Prime Minister Tony Blair. What ever next?  The corgis doing the Christmas speech instead of the Queen?

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3. Crash Bang! – Exciting experiments for you to try at home…

Simply Nuts

Q. What are the chances of picking out a Brazil nut when you plunge your hand into a jar of mixed nuts without looking?
A. Considerably better if you tap the jar on the table a few times first. But why ...?

You will need:

  • A jar of mixed nuts
  • A tabletop
  • A hand

 What to do:

  1. Unscrew the lid of the jar and see which nuts are on the surface. There’s sure to be at least one Brazil nut.
  2. Push the Brazil nut(s) down below the surface.
  3. Screw the lid back on and give it a gentle thump on the table a few times.
  4. Now look inside again. Aha!! How did that happen?

What's happening?

The Brazil nut(s) are larger than the other nuts in the jar. As you tap the jar the Brazils move upwards which allows the other smaller nuts to fall beneath it and take up the space it leaves. Since the Brazil nut is fairly smooth, the friction between it and the other nuts is low which makes it easier for other nuts to slip beneath it. As you continue to shake the jar the Brazil nut will gradually move upwards until it is finally sitting on the surface. Cunning eh?

You can also try this trick with a jar of rice and a marble or small rubber ball.

Now all you have to do is practise this a few times then get someone to video you and hey presto! You could have a winning clip for Planet Scicast. Easy eh? So what are you waiting for? Roll ‘em!

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4. Web Watch – Don’t surf the Internet alone…

Woodlands School has loads of ideas for fun and games over the holidays.

And St Augustine’s Junior School, Peterborough has recorded a new version of a traditional Christmas song – ‘The Twelve Bugs of Christmas'. Sing along everyone! And an aphid on an oak tree!

Dance along with the Dancing Santa on the North Pole site.

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5. Winners –Has your name been picked out of the bag?

Remember Issue 83 when we were giving away a family ticket to see Santa vs the Snowman 3D at the Science Museum IMAX 3D Cinema? The lucky winner is Tommy Rodrigues (6) of Maidenhead.  Well done Tommy, hope you enjoy the film!

And the winners of the November Sticky Quiz are Oel Jackson, Katrina Leigh, Wayne Shelton, Steve Oliver & Joseph Krogulec.

So remember – keep entering ‘cos next time it could be you!

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6. Tummy Ticklers - It’s the way we tell them...

What does Mrs Claus sing to Santa on his birthday?
Freeze a jolly good fellow!

What do you call a cat on the beach on Christmas morning?
Sandy Claws

What’s brown and sneaks around the kitchen?
Mince spies

What often falls at the North Pole but never gets hurt?
Snow

Happy holidays everybody! We’ll see you in 2008!

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INFORMATION OVERLOAD

Planet Science has gone Hay-Wire and now you have too!

That’s all for this issue. The next issue of Hay-Wire will be with you in two weeks time so until then, why not ask your friends to join the Hay-Wire Club?

They can visit the Clubhouse for more details (the password is Sciwoof )

Bye for now!