Imagine This
Imagine This is a science podcast for the young and curious. It explores puzzling questions from inquisitive young minds, such as how bees make honey or where poo goes when flushed. Host Dr Niraj Lal chats with kids and leading Australian academics, taking imaginative adventures to learn about the world. The podcast is suited for kids aged 4 and up, but all family members are sure to learn something.
Episodes
FAN FAVE: How do fish breathe underwater?
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 fish have lungs like us? Let’s head to the beach with Dr Nij to meet marine biologist Tooni Mahto and find out how fish and other sea creatures live underwater. If you
FAN FAVE: Why do farts come out of your bum?
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 smelly and almost always funny. We're talking about fluffs, toots, air biscuits - yes, farts! - and why they come out of our bums. Join Professor Kourosh Kalantar-Zade
How is soil made?
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 Lab at RMIT University. Together they'll journey deep underground to learn all about the connections between soil, the environment, and people! For more great kids pod
What makes food spicy?
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 Heather Smyth. Nij and the kids will learn all about how taste works and why spiciness packs such a punch!For more great kids podcasts, download the free ABC listen ap
How do engines make cars move?
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 hybrid car work?"And Sam wants to know, "How do vehicles go?"Let's catch a ride with Professor Shawn Kook from the UNSW Engine Research Lab to learn about different type
How do babies grow inside a tummy?
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?" and Grayson and Mackenzie want to know, 'How are babies really made?"Follow Nij and the kids along with Professor Tu'uhevaha Kaitu'u-Lino as we imagine ourselves i
Why do we yawn?
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 the way back in caveman times! For more great kids podcasts, download the free ABC listen app (Australia). There you’ll find more kids news podcasts, educational chi
Why do we need sunscreen and how does it work?
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, summery and sparkling journey.
What is snot and why do we have it?
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.
Why is there dew on everything in the morning?
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 and the kids to explain what exactly dew is, and where it comes from.
How do magnets work?
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 physicist Dr Cathy Foley, who explains how magnets work and why they're so special.
What are nits and why do they make us itch?
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.
Imagine This x Gardening Australia Junior: Why are worms good for the garden?
Imagine This host Dr Nij joins Costa and the Gardening Australia Junior crew to find out why worms are so good for the garden.
BONUS: Black Holes in the Imaginarium
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 to this bonus episode.
How are stars made?
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 to blast off in 5, 4, 3, 2 1!
How does water turn into wee?
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 our bodies from water to wee!
How is glass made?
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 answers!
Do we control our feelings or do they control us?
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 F.E.E.L. lab to learn more…
How do snakes and spiders make venom?
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...
What is phone reception and why do my parents lose it?
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 Shaghik Atakaramians to learn about this mysterious ‘reception’ and why it sometimes gets ‘lost’.
Why do we get older?
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 to follow the microscopic lives of our cells and how we grow as we get older
Why is the sea salty?
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 seawater and their first stop is… the clouds?
What are rocks made of?
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 submarine 'Velma' and venture into a volcano for answers….
How do chickens make eggs?
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!
How are rainbows made?
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...
Who was the first person in the world?
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 archaeologist Associate Professor Michelle Langley about how humans came to be...
How do snails get their shells?
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.
How is fabric made?
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 textiles expert Emma Peters as we follow the journey of cotton from field to fabric.
Why do we have to brush our teeth?
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.
How did the universe start?
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 Professor Brian Schmidt to journey back to the beginning of everything to see how it all began....
How did animals become pets?
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 Professor Pauleen Bennett to journey back in time to meet humankind's first pet...
How do lights light up?
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 Professor Chennupati Jagadish to shine a light on this tricky question...
How are seeds made?
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...
Why do we have to sleep?
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 out what makes us sleep and why we have to!
How is plastic made?
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 Professor Veena Sahajwalla to find some answers...
How do birds fly?
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.
Why aren't there big animals like dinosaurs anymore?
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!
Why do the tides go in and out?
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 the answers in some stellar places...
How does my skin heal?
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 your skin.
Introducing... Noisy by Nature!
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!
BONUS: Marine Biology in the Imaginarium
Nij is taking the Imaginarium under the sea and doing a deep dive on all your ocean questions with marine biologist Tooni Mahto!
Introducing... Dino Dome!
While you wait for more Imagine This, sink your teeth into roarsome new podcast Dino Dome! It's a Mesozoic mashup of science facts and dino-mite action hosted by Tim Richards and Amanda Shalala. New episodes out every Thursday.
How do caterpillars turn into butterflies?
A caterpillar hatches from an egg on a leaf and starts to munch munch munch. It grows bigger and bigger and then something amazing happens… but it’s not what you think! Join Professor Myron Zalucki, Nij and the kids as they imagine themselves as ladybugs to learn how a butterfly is made.
Why do farts come out of your bum?
Today we're talking about something that all of us do. They can be loud or soft, sometimes smelly and almost always funny. We're talking about fluffs, toots, air biscuits - yes, farts! - and why they come out of our bums. Join Professor Kourosh Kalantar-Zadeh as we shrink to fit inside his gas-smelling capsule to follow the journey of gas in our bodies.
How does the sun light up the world?
The Sun is hot and bright, it helps plants grow and keeps us warm. But did you know, the Sun is also a star? How come there are so many tiny, twinkling stars at night and just one sun lighting up the world in the day time? Let's blast off into outer space with Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith for a closer look at our closest star.
How did people come up with words?
There are lots of words in lots of languages in the world. There's a word for almost everything we can imagine! But how did words start? And why do languages all sound so different? Let's take a ride in a time (and place) machine with Dr Howie Manns to learn about how and why people come up with words.
How is water made clean to drink?
Water falls as rain from the sky, or runs through rivers, creeks and lakes. So how does it get into our taps, toilets and garden hoses? Let's imagine ourselves as falling raindrops with Dr Anna Rigosi, so we can follow the great water journey from the sky all the way to the kitchen sink.
Introducing... Little Yarns!
While you wait for new Imagine This, take a listen to Little Yarns! Hosted by Gamilaroi girl, Rudi Bremer, Little Yarns is a podcast that takes your ears on Country to share some of Australia's First languages and have a little yarn! New episodes are out every Monday.
BONUS: Weather in the Imaginarium
Dr Nij is back in The Imaginarium, working his way through all your weather questions!
Why do animals have spots, stripes, and scales?
Animals come in all shapes and sizes, and colours and patterns! But have you ever wondered why?
How are lightning and thunder made?
Storms can be wet and windy, but how do they make bright lightning and loud thunder?
What is a cool fire?
Fire is really hot, and it can be dangerous, so what is a cool fire?
How is paper made from trees?
Have you ever wondered how little bits of paper comes from big, tall trees? How do they get it so thin and flat?
Where do our voices come from?
How do you talk? And why do we all sound different?
BONUS: Welcome to The Imaginarium!
Join Dr Nij in The Imaginarium, the place where all your Imagine This questions arrive.
How do bees make honey?
Sweet, sticky honey is so yummy! But have you ever wondered how bees make it? And how do busy honeybees talk to each other?
How are germs made and what are they made of?
Germs are everywhere! Some are good for us, but some can make us sick. Have you ever wondered how they do it? The answer lies in how they are made…
How do fish breathe underwater?
Up here on land, we breathe air into our lungs but how do fish breathe underwater? Is there air in the sea? Do fish have lungs like us?
Why does my mouth like sugar but my body doesn't?
We know sugar tastes great, but is it any good for us? It tastes delicious, so why can’t we have sugar all the time?
Why are jokes funny?
Knock, knock… Who’s there? Science communicator and full-time funny person, Bernie Hobbs! And she’s here to help us examine our funny bones.
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