Podcasts · Kids & Family

Imagine This

ABC Australia

69 episodes

Imagine This is a science podcast for the young and curious. Have you ever wondered how bees make honey? Or how do fish breathe underwater? Or, very importantly, where your poo goes when you flush it down the toilet? Imagine This is a series of puzzling science questions from inquisitive young minds. Our host, Dr Niraj Lal, chats to kids and Australia's leading academics, taking you on imaginative adventures to learn about the world around us and find the answers together.

More about the show

This podcast is suited to kids aged 4 and up, though all members of the family are sure to learn something!

Episodes page 1 of 2

  1. How deep is the ocean?

    · 17 min

    Zaki and Micha want to know, how deep is the ocean? Fraser asks, why doesn’t the sun light up the bottom of the ocean? And Hudson and Reuben are wondering, why does the ocean look blue? Yarrr! Climb aboard matey, Dr…

  2. How does paint get its colour?

    · 15 min

    Ben and Ingrid want to know, how is paint made? Grace asks, what is paint made of? And Yuki is wondering, how do colours get into paint? We love to paint and get messy with all the colours of the rainbow! You can mix…

  3. How do ears work?

    · 16 min

    Tom and Mackenzie want to know, how do our ears work? And Harry asks, how are sounds made and how does it get to our ears? Nij and the kids are rocking out at band practice and it’s getting pretty noisy! How are we…

  4. How is metal made?

    · 16 min

    Cash, Ben, Jonathan and Harriet all want to know, how is metal made? And Henry asks, why does metal feel colder than other stuff? Hear ye, hear ye! Knight Nij is about to make his debut at the medieval fair until…

  5. How does food turn into poo?

    · 16 min

    Bridie wants to know, how does food turns into poo? Sam asks, how is poo made? Nathan and Lachlan want to know why do we poo? And Ollie is wondering, why do tummies grumble? Nij and the kids are at an All-You-Can-Eat…

  6. Science Week: Why are worms good for the garden?

    · 12 min

    To celebrate Science Week we're unearthing a special episode of Gardening Australia Junior! The theme of this year's Science Week is 'Seeds of Science: Nurturing knowledge for all'. They're not just talking about…

  7. FAN FAVE: How does the sun light up the world?

    · 12 min

    We're having so much fun listening back through your all-time favourite Imagine This episodes! This one sure was illuminating! The Sun is hot and bright, it helps plants grow and keeps us warm. But did you know, the…

  8. FAN FAVE: How are seeds made?

    · 15 min

    We're digging through the archives and picking all your old faves. This one was no garden-variety adventure... If plants come from seeds but seeds come from plants then how do you get a seed to start off with? Nij and…

  9. FAN FAVE: How are rainbows made?

    · 14 min

    We're looking back at some of your all-time favourite Imagine This episodes. Nij is the guest scientist and the kids take the lead in this colourful adventure to learn all about the science of rainbows... We can see…

  10. FAN FAVE: How do fish breathe underwater?

    · 12 min

    The Imaginarium has been inundated with requests for some of your favourite episodes! Let's dive in... Up here on land, we breathe air into our lungs but how do fish breathe underwater? Is there air in the sea? Do…

  11. FAN FAVE: Why do farts come out of your bum?

    · 14 min

    We've been spring cleaning the Imaginarium and have come across some old favourites! This golden oldie's a gas... literally! Today we're talking about something that all of us do. They can be loud or soft, sometimes…

  12. How is soil made?

    · 14 min

    Evie wants to know, "How is soil made?" Soil is everywhere but where does it come from? And why does it get treated like dirt? Nij and the kids team up with Dr Samantha Grover from the Soil-Atmosphere-Anthroposphere…

  13. What makes food spicy?

    · 14 min

    Jamie wants to know, "What makes food spicy?" and Jacob asks, "Where does spice come from, how is it made and why does milk help?" Let's follow the flavours that tickle our tastebuds with sensory scientist Professor…

  14. How do engines make cars move?

    · 14 min

    Frankie and Timothy would like to know, "How do cars work?" Levi wants to know "How do different types of cars get power?" Arija is curious "How do engines makes cars move? Connor and Rory want to know, "How does a…

  15. How do babies grow inside a tummy?

    · 16 min

    Today's question was sent in by a LOT of you! Lizzie, Reuben, Archie, Mack and Ruth would like to know 'How do babies grow in a mummy's tummy?', Luana wants to know "Why do babies have blood on them when they're born?"…

  16. Why do we yawn?

    · 13 min

    We often think of yawning as something that happens when we're tired but the answer is much more mysterious. Nij and the kids meet Dr Kathleen Maddison at the Centre for Sleep Science for an adventure that starts all…

  17. Why do we need sunscreen and how does it work?

    · 15 min

    We all know it’s important to use sunscreen in the hot Australian sun, but what exactly is sunscreen? And how does it work? Nij and the kids are joined by dermatologist Professor Pablo Fernández-Peñas for a slippery,…

  18. What is snot and why do we have it?

    · 13 min

    It's time to get nosy as we answer: What is snot? What are boogers? How is snot made and why do we have it? Nij and the kids join Associate Professor Kim Murphy on a slimy slip and slide through some giant nostrils.

  19. Why is there dew on everything in the morning?

    · 15 min

    The grass is wet, but there’s been no rain, and the skies are clear... What explains the dampness covering everything on a cool morning? It's called dew! Meteorologist and ABC weather presenter Nate Byrne joins Nij…

  20. How do magnets work?

    · 15 min

    Nij is out of fridge magnets and discovers they can't be replaced by just any piece of metal. What gives magnets their power to pull and push, and how do they stick to things? Nij and the kids get the answer from…

  21. What are nits and why do they make us itch?

    · 12 min

    Nij has nits! But what are nits, and why do they make us itch? Medical entomologist Cameron Webb and the kids comb through Nij's head for a close-up look.

  22. Imagine This x Gardening Australia Junior: Why are worms good for the garden?

    · 10 min

    Imagine This host Dr Nij joins Costa and the Gardening Australia Junior crew to find out why worms are so good for the garden.

  23. BONUS: Black Holes in the Imaginarium

    · 10 min

    To celebrate Science Week, we're heading back to space with Dr Kirsten Banks to learn about something very powerful and mysterious.... Black holes! We recommend listening to How are stars made? first before listening…

  24. How are stars made?

    · 16 min

    Twinkle twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are…. No, really – what are stars made of and how did they get all the way up there in the sky? Let’s find out more with astrophysicist, Dr Kirsten Banks! Get ready…

  25. How does water turn into wee?

    · 15 min

    If you don’t drink water, urine trouble! It’s a wee-lly important thing to stay healthy. So how do our bodies turn this clear water into yellow pee? Nij and the kids meet Dr Sradha Kotwal to follow the journey through…

  26. How is glass made?

    · 14 min

    We see glass every day, we see right through it! It’s in our windows and our fridges, our cars and our devices… But how do you make all this hard, clear stuff? Pack your bags, we’re off to Ancient Egypt to find the…

  27. Do we control our feelings or do they control us?

    · 16 min

    Some days we can feel happy and other times we can feel sad or frustrated, or downright angry! Where do all these different feelings come from and why do we feel them? Nij and the kids meet Dr Pete Koval at the…

  28. How do snakes and spiders make venom?

    · 16 min

    Step right up for the Tiny Tour of Toxins! Nij and the kids trek through the Aussie bush and go on an underwater adventure with venom expert Dr Timothy Jackson to explore the world of venomous animals...

  29. What is phone reception and why do my parents lose it?

    · 14 min

    We use phones a lot – to call our friends, message our grandparents, play games, follow maps… But what happens when our phones stop working? When the page doesn’t load or the call drops out? Nij and the kids meet Dr…

  30. Why do we get older?

    · 16 min

    Every year we get older… we have birthday parties and eat cake but what is happening in our bodies? Why do we get taller and grow more teeth? And why do we eventually stop growing? Nij and the kids meet Dr Lindsay Wu…

  31. Why is the sea salty?

    · 13 min

    More than half our planet is covered in seawater. There are about six teaspoons of salt in every litre. So, where did it all come from? Nij and the kids meet Dr Katharina Fabricius to follow the journey of salty…

  32. What are rocks made of?

    · 14 min

    Rocks are all around us… they’re in the garden, on the road, in the bush and all our waterways... But how did they all get there? And what are they made of? Nij and the kids meet Dr Heather Handley in her subterranean…

  33. How do chickens make eggs?

    · 14 min

    If you need an egg to make a chicken, then where did the first egg come from? Nij and the kids meet Professor Kate Buchanan to learn about how chickens make eggs... and which came first!

  34. How are rainbows made?

    · 13 min

    We can see them after a sun shower... or the spray of the sprinkler... we can even sing them! But why can't we ever catch them? Nij shares the ingredients to make a rainbow in this special episode of Imagine This...

  35. Who was the first person in the world?

    · 14 min

    Family trees have so many branches. You're on one branch, your parents on another, your grandparents on another and great grandparents after that... Could it go all the way back to the first person? Let's ask…

  36. How do snails get their shells?

    · 13 min

    Let's follow the slimy, shiny trail down the garden path all the way to... the Snail Whisperers! Drs John and Lorelle Stanisic will show us the secret lives of snails and how they get their famous spiral shells.

  37. How is fabric made?

    · 13 min

    Fabric is everywhere. It's on the bus seat and the welcome mat... It's the curtains and the carpet... it's our snugly blankets and beloved teddies... and all our clothes! But what is it all made from? And how? Join…

  38. Why do we have to brush our teeth?

    · 13 min

    Every morning and every night we have to get the toothpaste and our toothbrushes and clean our teeth... But why? Let's visit dentist Dr Mihiri Silva for a check up and learn why it's so important to look after our teeth.

  39. How did the universe start?

    · 15 min

    The universe is the biggest and oldest thing there is. It's every bit of everything that has ever existed. But what was there before there was anything? Nij and the kids meet Nobel Prize winning astrophysicist…

  40. How did animals become pets?

    · 14 min

    Purring pussycats and panting pups... Pretty parrots and even fluffy farm animals... Our furry friends make our lives better in so many ways but how did this friendship start? Nij and the kids meet anthrozoologist…

  41. How do lights light up?

    · 14 min

    As the sun sets and the sky gets dark, something else starts to happen... The lights come on! There are lots of different kinds of lights but what's happening inside an LED light bulb? Nij and the kids meet physicist…

  42. How are seeds made?

    · 14 min

    If plants come from seeds but seeds come from plants then how do you get a seed to start off with? Nij and the kids meet ecologist Professor Angela Moles for a bushwalk to find some answers...

  43. Why do we have to sleep?

    · 14 min

    At the end of each day, your arms and legs feel heavy and your eyes begin to close, your mouth stretches open to do a big yawn and you drift off to sleep.... But why? Nij and the kids meet Dr Jasneek Chawla to figure…

  44. How is plastic made?

    · 15 min

    It's in supermarkets and schools, computers and cars... plastic is just about everywhere! But what is it actually made from? And how do you make it? Grab your lab coats and safety goggles because we're off to meet…

  45. How do birds fly?

    · 14 min

    Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a bird expert IN a plane! Let's soar the skies with pilot and zoologist Milly Formby as she shows us how birds fly.

  46. Why aren't there big animals like dinosaurs anymore?

    · 15 min

    Are you ready to turn back time? Let's wind back the clock with Dino Dome's Fact-o-saurus, Tim Richards, and follow in some ginormous footsteps to learn how dinosaurs got so big!

  47. Why do the tides go in and out?

    · 13 min

    Sometimes a beach can look full to the brim, other times the sand seems to go for miles. Is the water going somewhere else? Why does it change throughout the day? Let's find Associate Professor Ana Vila-Concejo to find…

  48. How does my skin heal?

    · 15 min

    Nij has taken a tumble and has grazed his elbow! It stings and there's a little bit of blood. Ouch! Time for a check-up from Dr Greg Kelly. He's going to show us all the millions of helpers that work together to heal…

  49. Introducing... Noisy by Nature!

    · 1:28

    New Imagine This is coming very soon, but while you wait check out the latest season of Noisy by Nature with our fave nature nerd Dr Ann Jones!

  50. BONUS: Marine Biology in the Imaginarium

    · 9:53

    Nij is taking the Imaginarium under the sea and doing a deep dive on all your ocean questions with marine biologist Tooni Mahto!

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