©ABC 2017

Questions for discussion

Marriage Survey Results

1. As a class, discuss the Marriage Survey Results story. Record the main points of your

discussion.

2. What percentage of people voted `Yes’ in the same-sex marriage postal survey?

3. Does the result of the postal vote automatically change the law?

4. Who has drawn up a new law or bill to change the marriage act?

5. What will happen to the bill in the senate?

6. Any changes to the bill have to get the all clear from both houses of parliament. True or

false?

7. Who has to sign off on the bill?

a. Malcolm Turnbull

b. Bill Shorten

c. Governor-General

8. A majority of MPs are expected to vote _________ on the new bill.

9. Name three facts you learn watching the BTN story.

10. What questions do you have after watching the story?

Write a message about the story and post it in the comments section on the story page.

Driverless Cars

1. Briefly summarise the Driverless Cars story.

2. Autonomous vehicle is another name for…

3. Give an example of an improvement made to cars to help drivers?

4. Describe a feature of the driverless shuttle bus.

5. What are some other features of driverless cars?

6. In Australia, there are a lot of roads that are not suitable for autonomous cars. True or

false?

7. What are the benefits of driverless vehicles?

8. What are the disadvantages?

9. What do you understand more clearly since watching the BTN story?

10. Do you think the driverless cars are a good idea? Explain why or why not.

Vote in the BTN Online Poll

Coral Spawning

1. In pairs, discuss the main points raised in the Coral Spawning story.

2. What is coral spawning?

3. Where in Australia is coral spawning happening at the moment?

4. The Great Barrier Reef is the only living organism that’s visible from space. True or false?

Episode 33

21st November 2017

©ABC 2017

5. What are the tiny bumps inside coral called?

6. Give some reasons why the amount of coral cover on the Great Barrier Reef has dropped over the past 30 years.

7. What gives coral its amazing colours?

a. Polyps

b. Pollution

c. Algae

8. What happens to coral when sea temperatures rise?

9. What are scientists hoping to understand from their research into coral spawning?

10. What did you learn watching the BTN story?

Check out the Coral resource on the Teachers page

Do the quiz on the BTN website

Pet Bushfire Safety

1. What were the main points of the Pet Bushfire Safety story?

2. The Country Fire Service and the RSPCA have come up with a three-step plan to keep pets safe during bushfires. What is step one?

3. Why is it important to plan ahead when keeping animals safe in the fire season?

4. What does Sarah do with her chooks when there is a total fire ban?

5. Why does she move animals like horses and goats to a paddock with short grass?

6. What is a pet emergency kit?

7. What items are included in the kit?

8. Step three is to practise the plan. Why do you think that is important?

9. Why was it important for Victoria to practise the plan with her dog Nelson?

10. What was surprising about the BTN story?

Write a message about the story and post it in the comments section on the story page.

Little Big Idea 2017

1. What did the BTN Little Big Idea 2017 story explain?

2. How old is Amelia?

3. Briefly describe Amelia’s invention.

4. Who did she design it for?

5. What problem does it solve?

6. How does Amelia’s invention help her parents?

7. What prize did Amelia win?

8. What did judge Dr Jordan Nguyen say about Amelia’s invention?

9. What invention couldn’t you do without? Explain why.

10. What did you like about the BTN story?

Check out the Little Big Idea 2017 resource on the Teachers page

©ABC 2017

Teacher Resource

Coral

1. In pairs, discuss the main points raised in the Coral Spawning story.

2. What is coral spawning?

3. Where in Australia is coral spawning happening at the moment?

4. The Great Barrier Reef is the only living organism that’s visible from space. True or false?

5. What are the tiny bumps inside coral called?

6. Give some reasons why the amount of coral cover on the Great Barrier Reef has dropped over the past 30 years.

7. What gives coral its amazing colours?

a. Polyps

b. Pollution

c. Algae

8. What happens to coral when sea temperatures rise?

9. What are scientists hoping to understand from their research into coral spawning?

10. What did you learn watching the BTN story?

Class Discussion

After watching the BTN Coral story, respond to the following questions:

As a class discuss the BTN Coral story. Record the main

points of the discussion on a mind map with CORAL at the

centre. Use the following questions to guide the discussion:

• What do you know about coral?

• What words would you use to describe coral?

• What are some threats to coral?

• Why is coral important for the Great Barrier Reef?

- What did you SEE in this video?

- What do you THINK about what you saw in this video?

- What does this video make your WONDER?

- What did you LEARN from this story?

- What was SURPRISING about this story?

Episode 33

21st November 2017

Students will investigate the structural features of corals. Students will learn about the threats to the Great Barrier Reef.

Science – Year 4 Living things have life cycles Living things depend on each other and the environment to survive Science – Year 5 Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment Science – Year 6 The growth and survival of living things are affected by physical conditions of their environment Science – Year 7 Interactions between organisms, including the effects of human activities can be represented by food chains and food webs

©ABC 2017

As a class brainstorm a list of words that relate to the Coral story. Students will use these words to make

their own sentences about the topic.

Positive, negative or interesting?

Students will practice their note-taking skills while watching the

BTN Coral story. After watching the story, ask students to reflect

and organise the information into three categories.

What information in this story was...?

• Positive

• Negative or

• Interesting

Students may want to watch the story again or download a copy

of the BTN Coral transcript to assist them with this activity.

Key facts

Students will use the BTN story transcript to make a fact sheet about coral. Students will swap or compare

their facts with their classmates. Students will use the internet to find more facts about coral until they have

built up a detailed fact file (using this template to record their findings).

©ABC 2017

Be a reporter for a day

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef in the world covering almost 350,000 square kilometres. It's

made up of more than 2,900 smaller coral reefs, and is home to many tropical sea plants and animals. It's so

beautiful and so unique that in 1981 it received World Heritage status. But all this could change, unless we

step in and help.

In this activity, students will imagine that corals on the Great Barrier Reef have tragically become extinct and

will write a news article telling people why they have become extinct.

Things to think about when writing your report:

• How did the corals become extinct? What were its main threats?

• What is the value of the Great Barrier Reef to humans?

• What could Australians have done to save the Great Barrier Reef?

Structure

• Who is your target audience? Use age appropriate language and themes.

• Write a headline that is short and to the point.

• Use words and pictures in your report.

Students will create a quiz about corals using Kahoot!. Quizzes

can be created to recap learning or test personal knowledge.

There is also the option to connect with classrooms around the

world and play kahoot in real time.

BTN – Coral Bleaching

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s4430560.htm

BTN – Reef Warning

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3603113.htm

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority – Corals

http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/about-the-reef/corals

Aims – About Corals

http://coral.aims.gov.au/

ABC – Coral reefs in the 21st century

http://www.abc.net.au/news/programs/future-forum/2012-07-20/background-coral-reefs-in-the-21st-

century/4144396

©ABC 2017

Teacher Resource

Little BIG Idea

1. What did the BTN Little Big Idea 2017 story explain?

2. How old is Amelia?

3. Briefly describe Amelia’s invention.

4. Who did she design it for?

5. What problem does it solve?

6. How does Amelia’s invention help her parents?

7. What prize did Amelia win?

8. What did judge Dr Jordan Nguyen say about Amelia’s invention?

9. What invention couldn’t you do without? Explain why.

10. What did you like about the BTN story?

Discuss the BTN Little BIG Idea story as a class. What questions were raised

in the discussion? Here are some questions to guide discussion:

• What is an invention?

• Who is an inventor?

• What do they do?

• Can anyone be an inventor? Why or why not?

• What do you know about the process of inventing?

• What things might inventors have to do and think about in order to invent

something?

• What scientific discoveries or inventions have impacted on your life?

• What invention could you not do without? Why?

Episode 33

21st November 2017

Students will learn more about inventions created by young people and design their own invention.

Science – Years 5 & 6 Scientific knowledge is used to solve problems and inform personal and community decisions With guidance, pose clarifying questions and make predictions about scientific investigations Reflect on and suggest improvements to scientific investigations Science – Year 7 Solutions to contemporary issues that are found using science and technology, may impact on other areas of society and may involve ethical considerations People use science understanding and skills in their occupations and these have influenced the development of practices in areas of human activity

©ABC 2017

Young Inventors

Students will explore in more detail the winning inventions of the Little Big Idea competition. They can investigate all three inventions or choose one to find out more about.

Amelia’s Portable Wheelchair Hoist Watch the short video about Amelia’s invention and respond to the following:

o Briefly describe the invention. o What inspired Amelia’s invention? o How does it work? o What materials is it made from? o What problem does it solve? o What is unique about the design? o What questions do you have about the

invention?

Bella’s Sugarcane Plastic Toys Watch the short video about Bella’s invention and respond to the following:

o Briefly describe the invention. o What inspired Bella’s invention? o How does it work? o What materials is it made from? o What problem does it solve? o What is unique about the design? o What questions do you have about the

invention?

Jasmine’s Dog of Technology Watch the short video about Jasmine’s invention and respond to the following:

o Briefly describe the invention. o What inspired Jasmine’s invention? o How does it work? o What materials is it made from? o What problem does it solve? o What is unique about the design? o What questions do you have about the

invention?

Students can check out the Little BIG Idea finalists in each age group here Do they agree with the judges’ decisions? Give reasons why.

©ABC 2017

Australian Inventions

Students research an Australian invention using the following questions to help guide their research:

• Why did the object first come about? Was it intentional or accidental?

• What problem or issue does the invention overcome or solve?

• Who was the inventor?

• When was the object invented?

• How does the invention work?

• How does the invention help people?

• How has it changed or affected people’s lives?

• What if the object was never invented?

Design your own invention

Students can design their own invention or make a modification to an invention (to improve the design or function of a product). Ask students to:

• Name their invention

• What problem does it solve?

• How does it work?

• What materials is it made from?

• What is unique about the design?

• Draw a picture of their invention Some inventions by kids…

©ABC 2017

Biography of an inventor

Students will develop a biography of an inventor. Ask

students to think about the sort of information included in a

biography. What does a biography tell us about a person?

The Biography Organiser template will help students to structure their biography. Some possible areas of research include:

• Where and when was the person born?

• What did they invent?

• What were some challenges they faced?

• How have they made an impact on others’ lives?

Present your research in an interesting way.

• Give a presentation

• Create a portrait

• Design a poster

• Make a “Did you know?” for other students

• Write a letter to the person

• Create an infographic

BTN – Aussie Invention

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3603131.htm

BTN – Young Inventors

http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3603131.htm

Little Big Idea – 2017 Winners

https://www.littlebigidea.com.au/2017-winners.html

Australia.gov – Australian inventions

http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/austn-inventions

Australian Geographic – 20 Australian inventions that changed the world

http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/austn-inventions

©ABC 2017

BTN: Episode 33 Transcript 21/11/17

Hi, Amelia here. Welcome to BTN!

Coming up today:

• How drivers could be taking a backseat in the future.

• Visit the Great Barrier Reef for its once-a-year show.

• And what should you do with your pets during a bushfire?

Marriage Survey Results

Reporter: Matthew Holbrook

INTRO: All that soon. But first today to the results of one of the country's biggest voluntary surveys

ever! The majority of Aussies voted yes to changing Australia's laws to allow same-sex couples to

get married. Here's a closer look at the results and what will happen next.

For many, it was cause for celebration, and even a few tears.

DAVID KALISCH, AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS: For the national result: Yes

responses, seven million, eight hundred and seventeen thousand, and two hundred and forty-

seven.

61.6 per cent of the more than twelve million Australians who took part in the same-sex marriage

survey voted yes. Soon afterward, Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, addressed the nation, saying

he wants to legalise same-sex marriage by Christmas. But while some couldn't be happier, the

actual weddings might have to be put on hold for a bit. Not good news for these slowly deflating

balloons. I don't think they'll last that long.

See, just because the majority of voters said that Australia's marriage laws should be changed, it

doesn't mean it automatically happens. The postal survey wasn't legally binding, it was just a way

for our pollies to know for sure how Australians were feeling.

So now, it's in the hands of these guys. Once they're done with that cake, anyway.

This guy, Dean Smith, has already drawn up a new law, or bill, to change the marriage act. But it

still needs to be put to both houses: The Senate and the House of Representatives.

The senate has their hands on it at the moment. Here, the bill is debated and discussed. All

senators will get to vote on it, and decide if they want new marriage laws to go ahead, and under

what wording and conditions. If they're approved, the House of Representatives will get their shot

at it. From there, any changes have to get the all clear from both houses. And the Governor

General has to sign off on it. But that bit's just for the lulz. Mostly.

Many politicians have already said they're voting yes, others say they are definitely voting no, and

some say they'll vote on the new bill depending on how their electorate voted. With 133 out of 150

©ABC 2017

electorates voting yes, it's a pretty clear response, and a new bill looks very likely to succeed.

There could still be a couple of road bumps ahead, though.

One of them is the wording. There's a lot of debate between our politicians on exactly how the new

laws will be worded, and what extra conditions might be included. A biggie in the bill being

discussed right now is that ministers of religion shouldn't be forced to marry same-sex couples if

they don't want to. Some people want to extend that to other businesses, too.

Another, is that the PM wants to give the Senate extra time to debate those conditions.

Parliament's only meant to be sitting for two more weeks this year, but the government's cancelled

one of those weeks, and will instead force everyone stay back until it's worked out.

CHRISTOPHER PYNE, LIBERAL MP: The government's agenda is to deal with marriage equality,

and to deal with citizenship, and that's what the Australian public have very clearly indicated.

The details are still being hashed out, but having public support to change our marriage laws is

reason enough for these guys to celebrate.

This Week in News

First up to Africa where Zimbabwe's ruling political party made a historical decision on the

weekend to sack the country's president Robert Mugabe.

President Mugabe has been in power for more than 35 years! Many people weren't happy with his

leadership and celebrated when the announcement was made.

But Mr Mugabe isn't leaving without a fight, in fact the 93-year-old has refused to stand down!

Zimbabwean officials say they will arrest him if he keeps being uncooperative.

And staying overseas. Nearly a million Rohingyan refugees from Myanmar are now living in camps

over the border in Bangladesh.

They've fled their home country because of the violence they face there. In fact, the United Nations

says they're currently some of the most persecuted people in the world.

Now the crowded camps are running out of water and space and the Bangladeshi Government is

asking other countries to step in to help out.

A 5-hundred-year-old painting by Leonardo da Vinci has smashed the all-time art auction record!

It's called Salvator Mundi and was thought to be lost until it was rediscovered and restored in 2005.

©ABC 2017

It's been sold at auction for around 520 million Aussie dollars making it the most expensive

painting ever sold.

And give yourselves a pat on the back because according to a survey from the Cancer Council,

Australian kids are better at slip-slop-slapping than grown-ups!

95% of parents said their kids demonstrate more impressive sun safety than they do like

remembering to wear sunscreen more often as well as protective clothing like rashies and hats.

Driverless Cars

Reporter: Ruby Cornish

INTRO: Next up today, to a new technology a lot of people are looking forward to trying out. The

International Driverless Car Summit was recently held in Australia where experts from around the

globe gathered to talk about the benefits and challenges of letting cars take control.

The cars of the future people used to dream up often had wings or propellers and flew through the

air. Now don't get me wrong, flying cars could definitely still become a thing. But the cars of our

immediate future are going to be special for another reason. Scientists and engineers have been

developing tech to help drivers since cars were first invented and they've given us heaps of great

improvements like windscreen wipers, central locking, parking assistance and cruise control.

But recently the automation in cars has been ramping up, with the goal of replacing one of the

most important features of a car - the driver!

REPORTER: This is an example of some driverless technology that's been developed. It's a

driverless shuttle bus and it's designed to take small groups of people short distances, so they

don't have to walk in the rain.

This pint-sized bus has no steering wheel, driver’s seat or pedals. It uses a mixture of cameras and

lasers to direct itself and weave around obstacles. They're already in action in some parts of the

world, and so far, there haven't been any mishaps.

SIMON PEARCE, EASY MILE: If an object is detected within one metre of the vehicle it will fully

break the vehicle and ensure that it stops.

I also hitched a ride in a more normal looking car with some tricks up its sleeve.

REPORTER: So, this car isn't exactly driverless but what makes it special?

DAVID PICKETT, VOLVO: The car will actually accelerate and brake by itself. It's actually keeping

itself in the lane. It uses a camera to follow the lines and will keep the car centred.

Pretty neat but I can do all those things myself perfectly well.

REPORTER: People can drive anyway. Why do we need to make it automated at all?

©ABC 2017

DAVID PICKETT, VOLVO: 90 per cent of crashes are caused by drivers or inattention so there's a

lot of road safety benefits that come from having automated systems.

Computer can't fall asleep or check their mobile phones when they're driving, so in theory, they

could make the roads way safer. Having nobody in the driver's seat will be a pretty big change, but

if you're feeling disappointed about the prospect of never getting to learn how to drive, don't! The

automation revolution is still a while away.

REPORTER: How long do you think it's going to be before we don't actually have drivers at the

wheel at all?

DAVID PICKETT, VOLVO: Probably going to be a long time. Especially if you look at a country the

size of Australia, there's a lot of roads that really aren't that suitable for autonomous cars. Maybe in

city areas you'd have an autonomous car but then there will be another car for big trips interstate

or something like that.

So, it looks like you'll still have a chance to get behind the wheel!

Ask a Reporter

Have you got a question about the driverless revolution? Ask me live on Friday during Ask A

Reporter!

Head to our website for all the details.

Poll

And for our poll today. Are you excited by the idea of driverless cars?

Let us know on our website.

And here are the results of last week's poll. Thanks for having your say!

Coral Spawning

Reporter: Charlotte Batty

INTRO: A special annual event has just taken place off the coast of Queensland. At roughly this

time each year coral right across the Great Barrier Reef reproduce. But experts are paying

particularly close attention this year. Here's why.

Down in this vibrant underwater world something spectacular has just begun.

This amazing display is what's known as coral spawning and it's happening right now in one of

Australia's most iconic places, the Great Barrier Reef!

It's the biggest coral reef in the world stretching more than two and a half thousand kays along the

coast of Queensland. It's actually the only living organism that's visible from space!

Usually it's a pretty calm, peaceful place. But visit around this time of year and things are a little

different.

©ABC 2017

DR LINE BAY, SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTIST, AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MARINE

SCIENCE: For coral biologists spawning is a little bit like Christmas!

Coral spawning happens every year around the November full moon and it's when baby coral is

born.

REPORTER: If you've ever felt coral you might've noticed all these tiny little bumps all over it and

inside those bumps are actually tiny living organisms called polyps.

During spawning season polyps release tiny reproductive cells into the water which join together to

create new coral.

But experts say this year's spawning event is especially important because coral cover here has

dropped by about half over the past 30 years.

They say there are a few reasons for this. Cyclones can destroy coral in shallow water. Pollution

can be a big problem too. Some think farm chemicals wash out onto the reef and cause outbreaks

of these pesky little guys, the crown of thorns starfish. They can eat their body weight worth of

coral every day!

But one of the biggest threats is something called coral bleaching which is caused by global

warming. You see, inside of polyps there is also special algae which turns sunlight into polyp food.

That's what gives the coral its amazing colour. But that algae is really sensitive, so if the sea gets

too warm, the algae leaves and the coral turns white. And if it stays too warm for too long some

coral can even die.

That's why researchers are using this year's spawning event to measure how much the reef is

suffering and what effect that might have on the next generation of coral.

DR LINE BAY, SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTIST, AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MARINE

SCIENCE: We can collect them and do cross experiments and this allows us to understand how

they're going to respond to the pressures they're facing out on the reef.

But they have to be quick. Spawning only lasts between a few days to a week. So, they're

collecting as many samples as possible to take back to the lab to continue their research.

They reckon this should help them understand why some species of coral are better at surviving in

warm water than others. The hope is that these researchers will find a way to keep this great reef

as colourful and lively as ever.

Quiz

Okay time for a quiz now.

What percentage of marine creatures live amongst reefs?

5%

25%

75%

The answer is 25%

©ABC 2017

Pet Bushfire Safety

Reporter: Ruby Cornish

INTRO: As we head into bushfire season around Australia fire services and the RSPCA are

teaming up to remind people not to leave their pets out of their family's action plan. Here are some

of the best ways to keep your two and four-legged friends safe this summer.

The furry and feathered friends we call our pets are pretty special. They make us laugh, cheer us

up when we're down, and people have gone to some pretty serious lengths to rescue animals from

sticky situations. But when we get into danger ourselves, sometimes we can't give our pets our full

attention. That's why the RSPCA and the South Australian Country Fire Service has put together a

three-step plan to make sure our animal buddies are kept safe this bushfire season.

Step one, have a pet emergency plan!

REPORTER: It doesn't really look like it right now but we are coming into fire season, so what does

that mean for your property? What do you have to do?

SARAH: It's a lot of work to keep a property in good maintenance order, so that if a fire does come

through we can try and defend it, or if we decide that we're not going to defend and we leave, to try

and make sure that the animals are as safe as possible.

REPORTER: You've got horses and chickens and goats and a dog, so how do you look after all of

them in the case of a fire?

SARAH: It's a matter of planning. So, I don't wake up on that morning and go "Oh, there's going to

be a total fire ban today". I plan about a week beforehand.

Some pets, like your dog, you can just take with you in the car with you when you go. But for other

animals, like a flock of chickens or a horse, that's going to take a bit more planning! Sarah puts her

chooks in a smaller pen so she can move them easily at short notice. Horses and goats are moved

to a paddock with very short grass, where fire won't be able to travel as fast.

SARAH: You can't do it all in the one day, it's something you have to plan for and think ahead.

That brings us to step two - The pet emergency kit.

REPORTER: This is Shelly from the RSPCA and she knows all about pet emergency kits. So,

Shelley what exactly is a pet emergency kit?

SHELLY: All these items in here are really important for if you need to evacuate or relocate really

quickly at short notice. It's really important to have what you might need for a week, sometimes

you're going to be relocated for a week, sometimes more.

Key kit items include vaccination info, any medication your pet needs to stay healthy, and all the

usual creature comforts!

SHELLY: Food, water bowls, and a lead or if it's a cat a harness, a carrier, that sort of thing. So

you need to tailor your pet emergency kit to whatever animal you have as well.

Step three, practise your plan! This is basically a rehearsal before the real deal. And for dog-owner

Victoria, it's been the trickiest step. Her playful pooch Nelson loved helping pack his kit, but other

things haven't gone quite as smoothly.

©ABC 2017

VICTORIA: Nelson isn't that great about getting in cars unfortunately. So we've had to put it into

practice using treats, just to make sure that he realises it's pleasurable to get into the car. It's still a

work in progress but he's getting better.

And sure enough, after a while, practice makes perfect!

Quiz

Now to a quick quiz.

What is the highest rating for fire danger?

Extreme

Catastrophic

Critical

The answer is catastrophic

Teacher Awards

Now is your last chance to nominate your favourite teacher for the BTN Teacher Awards.

All it takes is a short video to put them in the running.

Just go to our website to upload your entry.

The winner will be announced in our final show of the year!

Sport

The Aussie women's team has retained the Ashes trophy but the fight isn't over yet!

The Aussies won the first Twenty 20 match on Friday night which gave them enough points to

make sure England couldn't win over all. But the visitors won the second Twenty 20 game on

Sunday so it all comes down to the final T-20 tonight.

If the Aussies win they win the series outright! If they lose, they'll still keep the trophy but the series

ends in a draw.

Meanwhile Australia has taken a clean sweep of the international rules series after beating Ireland

by just three points on the weekend but the win didn't come easy.

The visitors were leading for pretty much the whole game and things got a bit rowdy when Joel

Selwood was sent off for this late bump.

©ABC 2017

COMMENTATOR: This is really bubbling over now, this is fierce, ferocious stuff; the Australians

and the Irish!

With just a few minutes left, it looked like the Aussie's were going to lose but in a thrilling finish a

couple of late three-pointers from Eddie Betts and Dayne Zorko secured the win.

COMMENTATOR: Off the leg and perhaps it is over and out for the Irish.

At the end of the game, Nat Fyfe was awarded the Jim Stynes medal for Aussie man of the series!

And in a shock turn, the Aussie's will be taking on Fiji in their semi-final in the Rugby League World

Cup!

Fiji beat New Zealand four - two on Sunday which means the Kiwis are now out of the comp.

It was a bit of a surprise to many but not the players!

PLAYER: I never stopped believing, I always said we could win this game and it's just a dream

come true to get it done.

They'll now take on the Kangaroos next Friday night while England will face off against Tonga after

smashing Papua New Guinea by thirty points on Sunday night.

Little Big Idea 2017

Reporter: Matthew Holbrook

INTRO: Finally today. Let's meet one of Australia's newest young inventors. She came up with a

brilliant way to make life easier for carers around Australia and now her clever invention has won

her a trip to NASA! Take a look.

AMELIA: Hi, my name's Amelia, and I'm here to show you the portable wheelchair hoist. I designed

it for my brother. He had hip surgery a few years ago and he had to have a hoist to help him move

around.

MATT HOLBROOK, REPORTER: Amelia's eight, and she loves her older brother, Jake. So, when

she realised her parents were having problems getting him in and out of his wheelchair, she

wanted to help.

AMELIA: Before he had the metal plates put in his leg he was a lot lighter, and a few days after the

metal plates were put in, mum and dad were struggling because the metal plates were quite heavy.

She came up with a solution: An entirely new hoist that's located in the seat cushion of a

wheelchair.

AMELIA: When you want to open it, you press the button like this, and it slowly comes out

automatically, and that's what it looks like with a finished product. There's meant to be a back here

so the person doesn't fall back.

That means there'd be a lot less stress for Amelia's parents to lift Jake out of his chair.

©ABC 2017

AMELIA: I'm pretty sure it will help a lot, because most parents struggle to lift their children

Amelia entered her invention into the Little Big Ideas competition. The competition is held every

year for Aussie students between years three and eight. And it's all about getting them to send in

ideas for creations which could make a difference in the world. The judges were impressed with

Amelia's design, and she was named one of the finalists.

But when she won the Year 3-4 award, she couldn't believe it.

DR JORDAN NGUYEN: Amelia has come first in Australia for her age group, we are sending you

to NASA!

Head judge, Dr Jordan Nguyen, says Amelia's idea was a winner in more ways than one.

DR JORDAN NGUYEN: It happens every day that nurses, carers, families, will lift people out of a

wheelchair, and quite often it causes injuries. What Amelia came up with was simple and beautiful.

And she couldn't wait to celebrate with her brother.

AMELIA: It felt really good, and I was definitely not expecting it.

Her parents are really proud.

AMELIA'S DAD: Extremely proud. The fact that it's going to help a lot of people.

As one of the winners, Amelia's off to NASA in the US. She'll spend a week getting to do all kinds

of stuff, although there's one part of her prize she's really looking forward to.

AMELIA: I'm a little more excited about having lunch with an astronaut.

For now, she's really excited to be doing something that can help her brother and her parents. A

little idea with a big impact.

Closer

And that's it for today but there's always more to see and do on our website including our BTN

Teacher Awards nomination page and details on how you can download Kokoda VR! Thanks for

joining us and we'll see you next week for more BTN!