COMPETITION CLOSED – WIN a Mega Connetix Creative Pack

We’ve got THREE bumper sets to give away from Connetix worth £115 each!

We have an epic giveaway this December, this is not one you want to miss out on! We’ve partnered with Connetix and have three massive, 120 piece magnetic construction sets to give away.

The Connetix 120 Piece Pastel Creative Pack makes playtime engaging and educational, sparking boundless creativity and promoting educational, playful experiences for children of all ages. This amazing creative pack offers a spectrum of shapes in 8 delightful pastel colours, making it the perfect canvas for constructing impressive Connetix creations, from intricate designs to grand-scale masterpieces.

Whether children are absorbed in solitary play or engaging with friends and family, constructions toys like this one from Connetix spark STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and, Mathematics) learning while nurturing fine and gross motor skills. Kids can assemble towering castles, futuristic rockets, majestic towers, sturdy bridges, and much more.

The high-quality, open-ended pack seamlessly adapts to your child’s evolving interests and abilities, providing a platform for increasingly complex and imaginative play experience

For your chance to win, simply answer this question in the comments:

Which is the tallest building in the world?

a) The Shard
b) Eiffel tower
c) Burj Khalifa

This competition closes at midnight on Sunday 31st December 2023 and is open to UK residents only. Whizz Pop Bang competition terms and conditions are here.


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COMPETITION CLOSED – WIN Humungous Fungus by Lynne Boddy

Professor Lynne Boddy is a woodland fungi expert at Cardiff University and she told us all about her amazing career in Whizz Pop Bang 99: Fantastic Fungi.

Lynne has written a beautiful book, Humungous Fungus, an exploration of all things fungi which will amaze young readers, and open their eyes to the fungi thriving all around them and we’ve got four copies to give away!

Simply answer this question in the comments for your chance to win a book.

Which one is a part of a mushroom?
a) Gill
b) Hill
c) Spill

Good luck!

This competition closes at midnight on 31st October 2023 and is open for UK residents only. For full terms and conditions visit whizzpopbang.com/terms

Humongous Fungus, written by Lynne Boddy and illustrated by Wenjia Tang. DK, £12.99. Out Now. 


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Carl Sagan’s Golden Record

Carl Sagan was an astronomer, planetary scientist, cosmologist, astrophysicist, professor and science communicator who was fascinated by extra-terrestrial life. You can read about him in Whizz Pop Bang 98: Aliens!

Carl was involved in American space exploration since it began in the 1950s. He put together messages that were sent into outer space in the 1970s on the Voyager Golden Record.

Read more about space in these out-of-this-world issues of Whizz Pop Bang!

By NASA – Great Images in NASA Description, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6455682

Copies of the Golden Record were carried by Voyager I and Voyager II. They contained:

  • Messages in 55 ancient and modern languages
  • Sounds from Earth
  • Images of humans and Earth
By NASA/JPL – The Sounds of Earth Record Cover, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=137443

The discs contained diagrams that explain where Earth is and how to play the record. Scientists spent a long time working out how to communicate these messages to aliens!

Here are some examples of things that were included on Carl Sagan’s Golden Record. You can find a full list of everything that was included here.

Greetings in ancient and modern languages

English (this was recorded by Nick Sagan, Carl’s son, when he was six!)
Akkadian (an ancient language used in Mesopotamia about 6,000 years ago)
“May all be very well.”
Arabic
“Greetings to our friends in the stars. We wish that we will meet you someday.”
Cantonese
“Hi. How are you? Wish you peace, health and happiness.”
Hebrew
“Peace”
Korean
“How are you?”
Nguni
“We greet you, great ones. We wish you longevity”
Polish
“Welcome, creatures from beyond the outer world.”
Rajastani
“Hello to everyone. We are happy here and you be happy there.”
Spanish
“Hello and greetings to all.”
Welsh
“Good health to you now and forever.”

Music

Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F. First Movement, Munich Bach Orchestra, Karl Richter, conductor
New Guinea, men’s house song, recorded by Robert MacLennan
Mexico, “El Cascabel,” performed by Lorenzo Barcelata and the Mariachi México
“Johnny B. Goode,” written and performed by Chuck Berry
Georgian S.S.R., chorus, “Tchakrulo” collected by Radio Moscow
Peru, wedding song, recorded by John Cohen

Images

We can’t include the photographs and diagrams included on the Golden Record because of copyright but you can see some of them here. These show some of the same subjects that featured on it.

If you want to find out more about fantastic scientists like Carl Sagan, subscribe to Whizz Pop Bang, the awesomely amazing science magazine for kids! Learn about inspirational scientists of the past and present every issue – our readers are the in credible scientists of the future!


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Whizz Pop Bang’s trip to Just So Festival was out of this world!

Team Whizz Pop Bang spent a wild weekend meeting hundreds of scientists-in-training at Just So Festival 2023. Thank you so much to Just So Festival for having us back again – we absolutely love being a part of this incredible event.

This year, we brought Jonathan Scott from the European Space Agency (ESA) along to share his amazing knowledge of staying fit and healthy in space. Jon works in the Space Medicine Team at ESA and he used his expert skills to run an Astronaut Training Camp.

Jon brought a replica space suit along for Whizz Pop Bang fans to try on!

We were overwhelmed with the turn out for Jon’s talk and it was fantastic to see so many budding astronauts! A HUGE thank you to Jon, and to all of you who came and joined in the fun. We hope you picked up a thing or two about how astronauts stay fit and healthy on board the International Space Station.

We also ran The Whizz Pop Bang Discovery Den, where young scientists could explore their five senses in some super-fun hands-on experiments.

Children were invited to visit us in ‘The Future’ area in the woodland at Just So Festival and try five different activities linked to the senses.

  • FEEL IT: run your fingers through gloopy cornflour slime (find out how to try this at home here!)
  • SEE IT: trick your brain with optical illusions
  • HEAR IT: test how well sound travels through solids compared to through air using clanger hangers
  • SMELL IT: put your sense of smell to the test
  • TASTE IT: find out how holding your nose affects flavours

They learned some amazing facts, including:

We hope to see lots of you at Just So Festival in future!


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Team Whizz Pop Bang are going to Just So Festival!

It’s not long until the fantastic Just So Festival kicks off – it’s running at Rode Hall, Cheshire on 18th – 20th August 2023. It’s an incredible outdoor adventure for families from bumps to great grandparents, and Whizz Pop Bang are so excited to be a part of the fun that’s in store!

The Whizz Pop Bang team are huge fans of this magical festival, and once again, we’re bringing a sprinkle of science to the programme!


Head to Astronaut Training Camp with ESA’s Jonathan Scott in collaboration with Whizz Pop Bang, the awesome science magazine for kids

Ever dreamed of becoming an astronaut when you grow up? Roll up for an action-packed talk by Jonathan Scott from the European Space Agency to discover the skills and techniques needed to stay healthy on board the International Space Station. Test out some astronaut training exercises, feel how gravity affects us here on Earth and check out a replica spacesuit!

Perfect for children aged 6 to 12.


Discovery Den by Whizz Pop Bang, the awesome science magazine for kids

Come along to an exploration of your senses at this hands-on discovery session run by the makers of the most awesomely science magazine for kids, Whizz Pop Bang! You won’t believe your eyes, ears, noses, fingers or tongues in this interactive session full of weird and wonderful sensations!
Perfect for children aged 6 to 12.

Find out more about the festival at justsofestival.org.uk, where the line up has been announced! Discover a celestial celebration of the planets in The Observatory, step out of 2023 and into the future at The Future stage, hear stories galore in the Spellbound Forest, and so much enchanted adventure throughout the site. There’s something for every member of the family!


Whizz Pop Bang is an awesomely amazing monthly science magazine that brings science to life for children aged six to twelve (and their parents too)! There’s lab-loads of hands-on experiments, mind-boggling facts, puzzles, news and fun packed into each month’s magazine. Whizz Pop Bang sparks imaginations and inspires the scientists of the future from the moment it comes bursting through their letterbox. Subscribe today at whizzpopbang.com!

If you’re not lucky enough to be going to Just So Festival this year, but want to have heaps of fun with science, browse back issues in our shop now!


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COMPETITION CLOSED – Win brilliant science books by Dr Helen Scales!

Helen Scales is a marine biologist, writer, broadcaster, teacher and scuba diver who stars as our Science Hero in Whizz Pop Bang 96: Coasts. Read more about her in this issue, now available in our shop. She tells us all about her exciting job, including some of the books she has written, and we’re so excited to have five sets of two of these books to give away to mini marine biologists!

Scientists in the Wild: Galápagos by Helen Scales follows a group of marine biologists as they set sail to study the amazing wildlife and habitats of the Galápagos. To get the job done they will climb volcanoes, get sneezed on by marine iguanas, watch dancing birds, launch a deep-diving submersible and explore the dazzling underwater wonders of Galápagos.

Great Barrier Reef by Helen Scales (released 6th July 2023) introduces this incredible, intricate Australian ecosystem to young readers. Discover the plant and animal inhabitants of the Great Barrier Reef in this beautifully illustrated book, then find out what we can all do to ensure its survival.

To enter the competition, simply answer the following question in the comments:

Where is the Great Barrier Reef?

a) Australia

b) South America

c) Antarctica

The competition closes at midnight on 31st July 2023. For full terms and conditions, please visit: https://www.whizzpopbang.com/terms-and-conditions/.

Want to know more about Whizz Pop Bang – the awesomely amazing science magazine for kids?

  • Whizz Pop Bang is an award-winning science magazine that brings science to life for children aged six to twelve (and their parents too)!
  • Each monthly issue is packed with experiments, puzzles, science news, crafts, jokes, inspiring scientists, competitions and more!
  • Our aim is simple – to help children develop a love of science. We love to imagine what they might discover or invent one day!


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Ancient Egypt Magazine issue 55 from Whizz Pop Bang science magazine for kids

Whizz Pop Bang: ANCIENT EGYPT Magazine Issue 55

The Hidden Science of Mummies and Pyramids

Do you know a mini-scientist who is learning about the ancient Egyptians at school? Or are they just fascinated by history and science and want to discover more about this interesting time period?

Whizz Pop Bang Issue 55: Ancient Egypt magazine

Inside issue 55, ANCIENT EGYPT, kids will get to unravel the mysteries of mummies, decipher hieroglyphics, and even create their very own mummy! They’ll also explore tomb matching games, make papyrus, play the Pharaohs’ board game, and crack secret codes. It’s a perfect mix of fun and learning that’ll keep them engaged and entertained.

Inside an ancient Egypt magazine for kids

Discover what an Egyptologist does

“DNA is the blueprint for life, so studying ancient Egyptian DNA helps us unlock the secrets of the mummies, such as their family history and the diseases they carried.”

Dr Konstantina Drosou

In each issue, Whizz Pop Bang features a remarkable scientist, and this time we introduce Dr Konstantina Drosou, a Lecturer in Biomedical Egyptology. Dr Drosou sheds light on the significance of studying ancient Egyptian DNA. Dr Drosou’s expertise adds a new dimension to the exploration of ancient Egypt, offering young readers a glimpse into the fascinating world of scientific research and discovery.

Did the Ancient Egyptians invent the toothbrush?

In addition to the ancient Egypt activities, Issue 55 delves into the intriguing history of the toothbrush. Children will learn about the evolution of dental hygiene and the inventors who paved the way for modern oral care. Find out how the ancient Egyptians’ chewing sticks and toothpicks turned into today’s toothbrushes.

Magazine article for kids about the invention of the toothbrush.

For Parents: Extra-Curricular Reading and Learning Support

If your child is fascinated by ancient Egypt, or they are covering this topic at school and need some extra support, this magazine will provide valuable educational content. The activities, experiments, and historical information will deepen their understanding of this ancient civilization. By engaging in hands-on projects, children will gain a more comprehensive knowledge of the ancient Egyptians. Whizz Pop Bang’s ANCIENT EGYPT Magazine is an excellent supplement to their primary education, offering a fun and interactive way to explore this captivating subject.

For Teachers: Enhancing Ancient Egypt Education in Primary Schools

Lesson plan to teach primary aged children about ancient Egypt.

As a teacher, you strive to make learning exciting and memorable for your students. Whizz Pop Bang’s ANCIENT EGYPT Magazine can be a valuable resource to enhance your ancient Egypt curriculum. The magazine’s activities and experiments align with the national curriculum, providing an engaging supplement to your lessons. If you are have a subscription to our ever-growing library of teaching resources, you can even incorporate the magazine’s content into your teaching plans. Use the downloadable lesson plan and PowerPoint presentation provided and create interactive and engaging classroom experiences. These resources enable you to bring ancient Egypt to life and ensure that your students not only gain knowledge but also enjoy the learning process.

Supporting Your Home Education Journey

For families who home educate, Whizz Pop Bang’s ANCIENT EGYPT Magazine will come in really handy to help your children. Designed to be educational and engaging, it allows parents to create a well-rounded curriculum for their children. With its hands-on activities and experiments, the magazine caters to different learning styles, making it ideal for homeschooling environments. By incorporating the magazine into your home educating, you can provide your child with a comprehensive understanding of ancient Egypt while fostering their curiosity and love for learning.

Whizz Pop Bang is committed to making learning fun and accessible. By creating engaging content that aligns with the national curriculum, we support both parents and teachers in their quest to provide children with a well-rounded education. Whether your child is exploring ancient Egypt for their own interest or you’re seeking innovative ways to teach the topic in the classroom or at home, our ANCIENT EGYPT Magazine, Issue 55 is an excellent educational resource.

Unleash the wonders of ancient Egypt and watch your child’s love for learning flourish. Spark curiosity, foster exploration, and make learning about ancient Egypt an exciting adventure with Whizz Pop Bang.

Have you got a copy of the magazine? If you do, here’s a helpful kit list of items you’ll need to be ready for the activities featured in this issue. Don’t worry there’s still loads of science fun to be have even if you don’t have every single item on the list!

Kit list of items needed for Whizz Pop Bang issue 55: Ancient Egypt

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A young girl reads Whizz Pop Bang magazine on her tablet. Digital magazine subscitions are now available for Whizz Pop Bang science magazine!

We now offer digital subscriptions!

We’re passionate about our mission to help children around the world to fall in love with science. Recently, we’ve been working hard to find a way to make subscriptions more accessible (particularly for our readers who live overseas).

Digital subscribers can:
💥 Choose between an annual subscription or a one-off purchase of a single issue
💥 Flick through complete 36-page editions of Whizz Pop Bang
💥 Get instant access when a subscription is purchased
💥 Download and print the amazing cut-out paper craft activities included in each issue purchased
💥 Save up to 36% when buying an annual digital subscription* (or a huge 57% on international subscriptions)!

* When you order a digital subscription or digital single magazine you will be redirected to Issuu.com, our digital magazine publisher. Savings based on full cover price of physical magazine (£4.75 per issue) plus international postage charges. New issues will be available on 1st of each month.


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COMPETITION CLOSED – Win a bug-tastic bundle of STEM gifts!

We’re super excited to announce that we’ve teamed up with Laurence King Publishing and Insect Lore for May’s online competition which we are running on Instagram and Facebook only! Head over there to find out how to win this bumper prize!

Science gift competition bug bingo Whizz Pop Bang science magazine Insect Lore Butterfly Garden

You could win:

Bug Bingo Game – This beautifully illustrated bingo game features 64 species of bugs from around the world. Identify all kinds of insects – from the giant hawker dragonfly to the kissing bug and the orchid bee to the sacred scarab – mark them off on your card and bingo! Bug Bingo brings a fun and educational twist to the traditional game as players learn the names and colourings of both favourite species like the honey bee and more exotic bugs like the vampire moth. Contains one masterboard, 64 superbly illustrated bug tokens, 12 bingo cards and brightly coloured counters for you to mark up your card, as well as a leaflet containing basic information and a few quirky traits for all of the bugs featured.

Science gift competition bug bingo

Butterfly Garden – Experience the miracle of metamorphosis with this unique Butterfly Garden! Observe caterpillars grow and change into butterflies, and then release them. The kit includes a 30cm tall reusable habitat for easy butterfly watching and a voucher for 3-5 caterpillars with food. Once you have received your caterpillars, they will eat, spin silk, and grow to TEN times their original size! After 7-10 days watch as they hang upside down and form their chrysalides! Then watch as they emerge as beautiful Painted Lady Butterflies and observe them for a couple of days before releasing into nature.

Science gift competition Insect Lore Butterfly Garden

A 6-month magazine subscription for Whizz Pop Bang! Keep your young scientist engaged with a monthly magazine subscription filled with hands-on science activities, the latest scientific news, jokes, puzzles, and more! The best part? Loads of the supplies needed for the activities can be found in your kitchen cupboard.

Science gift competition Whizz Pop Bang science magazine

We are running this competition on Instagram and Facebook only! Head over to our socials to find out how to be in for a chance of winning one of three of these awesome bundles.

T&C’s: This giveaway closes at midnight on Wednesday 31st May 2023. One winner will be selected at random from all entries via Facebook and Instagram and will be contacted in the first week of June. This competition is open to UK residents only. Winner will be informed via your original comment by @whizzpopbangmag – please be wary of scams, do not give personal details or follow any links from other accounts. For full terms and conditions visit buff.ly/3ij98Q3 This competition is in no way affiliated, endorsed, sponsored or administered by Instagram or Facebook.


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Easter science experiments

With Easter just around the corner, we’ve put on our thinking bonnets and come up with the best Easter science experiments, bouncing bunny crafts and fun egg activities to share with you. These simple, exciting science experiments are a brilliant way to keep young brains whirring all year round!

1. Take Whizz Pop Bang’s Awesomely Amazing Science Quiz!

Round up the family, find some pens and paper and pop open a packet of chocolate eggs – it’s time to get quizz-ical with this Easter quiz! Suitable for children and adults alike, this quiz will get you wondering about the world’s largest eggs, rabbit anatomy, the science of chocolate and so much more.

2. Freeze fizzy eggs

Image: Science Sparks

This kitchen chemistry activity uses bicarbonate of soda (called baking soda on this site) and vinegar to create a fizzing reaction that is guaranteed to excite young scientists. Pop a small toy into an egg mould, fill with coloured water and a little bicarbonate of soda then put it in the freezer. Once frozen, use warm water and vinegar to set the toy free!
Head this way for the full instructions.

3. Craft a jumping bunny

Image: To Be a Kid Again

Turn two paper ups, an elastic band and some craft supplies into an Easter bunny that really bounces. Explore elasticity and forces with this fun Easter science activity!
Find out everything you need to know here.

4. Go on a spring flower hunt

Image: Wildlife Watch

Do you know your celandine from your aconite? This printable treasure hunt is the perfect Easter holiday activity for all ages.
Find this nature quiz here.

5. Pick up Whizz Pop Bang’s Easter science booklet – for FREE!

Whizz Pop Bang’s Easter Eggs-periments booklet is packed with brilliant science activities, including…
🐣 Make dragon eggs
🐣 Grow egg geodes
🐣 Make a bunny bookmark
🐣 Puzzles
🐣 Crafts
🐣 Quiz questions
🐣 Jokes
And more! Best of all? It’s FREE!*

Buy anything from our online shop and we’ll send you a 
FREE Easter Eggs-periments booklet!*

To claim your free booklet, simply use the code EASTER23 when you purchase any product from the Whizz Pop Bang online shop.*

* Offer valid until midnight on 01.04.23 on Whizz Pop Bang products purchased using the coupon code EASTER23. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer. Orders will be dispatched by Royal Mail within two working days. We recommend ordering by 28.03.23 for delivery in time for Easter but cannot be responsible for any delays to delivery.

6. Make foaming Easter eggs

Image: Fun At Home With Kids

We can’t get enough of fizzy eggs at Easter! This blog post includes a brilliant foaming variation using washing up liquid.
Find out how to give it a try here.

7. Take a seasonal STEM challenge

Image: Science Sparks

Our friends at Science Sparks challenge you to build a harness that can safely transport an egg (chocolate or chicken!) down a zip wire.
Are you up to the challenge?

8. Spring nature treasures

Image: Wildlife Watch

Transform a nature walk into a treasure hunt with another fab printable from Wildlife Watch.
Find this activity here.

9. Grow seeds in eggshells

Warmer days are on the way so it’s the ideal time to plant some seeds, start growing some food and see some amazing science in action!

10. Make a bendy carrot

Make like a rabbit and experiment with carrots! Investigate osmosis from your kitchen table using two simple ingredients: carrots and salt.

Want to explain osmosis to kids? Here goes…
Water moves from an area of low salt to an area of high salt – balancing the water on both sides.

In this experiment, when a carrot is placed in very salty water, it will be less salty than the area around it. This causes the water in the carrot to move out of the carrot and into the cup. The result is that the carrot becomes limp and tastes saltier than before.

PS We agree with the end of this video – don’t eat the salty carrots!


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