Table of contents for Issue 368 - April 2026 in MiniMag

High above Earth lies the ozone layer – a thin gas layer that protects life from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In the past, chemicals used in sprays and cooling systems damaged this layer, causing the “ozone hole.” The world responded by banning many of these harmful chemicals. Today, the ozone layer is slowly recovering. THE BIGGER PICTURE: The ozone story proves something powerful: When nations cooperate and listen to science, environmental damage can be reversed. It gives hope for tackling climate change. AIR POLLUTION The air we all share AIR POLLUTION COMES FROM: • Car exhaust • Factories • Burning fossil fuels • Wildfires POLLUTED AIR CAN CAUSE: • Breathing problems • Heart disease • Damage to crops • Acid rain THE BIGGER PICTURE: The same fossil fuels that cause…

Did you know that there is an animal that can slow rivers, prevent floods, fight drought, store carbon and build entire ecosystems – all without a hard hat? Meet the beaver. Beavers may look like chunky, buck-toothed swimmers, but they are among the most powerful ecosystem engineers on Earth. There are two main species – one in North America and one in Europe and Asia – but both behave in very similar ways. And wherever they live, they change the landscape. River transformers Beavers build dams by chewing down trees and stacking branches, mud and stones across streams. At first glance, it might look like a messy pile of sticks. But zoom out – and something incredible happens. The flowing stream slows down. Water spreads outward. A pond forms. Wetlands…

Put your thinking cap on for our colourful “Easter Picture Sudoku”, where every row and column must have the perfect picture match. Then sharpen your eagle eyes for “Complete the Easter Eggs”, where you’ll search for the correct missing pieces to make each egg whole again. It’s all about careful looking, clever thinking and having loads of festive fun. Ready to crack the challenge? Find the solutions on page 33. What do you call a mischievous Easter egg? A practical yolker! Complete the Easter eggs below by finding and matching the correct missing piece. Hop Into Easter with Origami! Get ready for some Easter fun! Follow these simple folding steps to create your very own cute Easter Bunny face. All you need is a square piece of paper and a…

A modern family relocates to the countryside where the children discover a magical tree with eccentric residents. They’re transported to fantastical lands, rekindling their family bond through adventures. Spot the Differences Can you spot all 10 differences? Colouring in Colour in your kingdom and give it a name. Use your wildest imagination! Fairytale Characters Write the name of a fairytale character that starts with each letter below: M ........................................................... A ........................................................... G ........................................................... I ........................................................... C ........................................................... ONLY IN CINEMAS NOW! Word Search Can you find all the words below. Search in all directions and circle! MAGIC  FAIRY UNICORN STORY FICTION WONDER FOLKLORE WIZARD GOBLIN ELVES CHILDREN GENRE © 2026 TMFT PRODUCTIONS LIMITED…

Crossword Think you’ve mastered renewable energy, biofuels and biotechnology? Now it’s time to test your knowledge! This giant crossword is packed with key words about biofuels and biotechnology – from fossil fuels and fermentation to peanuts and power stations. Activity Use the clues to unlock the science behind sustainable energy and prove that your brain is fully charged! ACROSS: 1. The process plants use to make food. 5. Organic material from plants and waste. 8. Another fossil fuel, natural ......... used for heating homes. 9. Ice melting causes oceans levels to do this. 10. Fuels formed deep underground. 11. Breaking down sugars to make alcohol. 14. Another crop used for bioethanol. 16. A fossil fuel used in trains and power stations. 17. Essential liquid for growing plants. 21. Energy that…

Have you ever wondered why a hurricane forms over the ocean, why some places have lush forests while others are deserts, or how melting ice at the North Pole can affect the weather halfway around the world? The answers all lie in the amazing world of EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE – the study of how every part of our planet works together as one giant, connected system. Earth System Science isn’t just about rocks orweather or oceans – it’s about everything on Earth interacting, from the tiniest microbe in the soil to the strongest hurricane in the sky. Scientists who study this field try to answer questions like: • How does the air, water, land and life on Earth all affect each other? • How do humans change these systems and…

Why does the world need sustainable energy? Fossil fuels – coal, oil and natural gas – are non-renewable. They take millions of years to form from ancient plants and animals buried underground. Once they are used up, they cannot be replaced within our lifetime. As supplies decrease, prices rise, which affects countries' economies and people’s everyday lives. Burning fossil fuels also releases large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. CO2 is a major greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. The effects include melting polar ice, rising sea levels, more extreme weather events such as droughts and floods, and the loss of wildlife habitats. Protecting our planet means finding cleaner and more sustainable ways to produce energy. So let’s explore alternative resources that can help meet our energy…