Imagine This

ABC Australia

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.

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

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20 episodes
Updated July 21

Episodes20

Newest first

July 21 · 12 min
FAN FAVE: How does the sun light up the world?
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 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. If you have a request or want to ask a new
July 20
ABC Kids listen is moving!
ABC Kids listen radio and podcasts are about to have a brand-new home! We’re packing up and moving over to the ABC listen app. There you’ll find a kids’ tab where you can create your very own kids’ profile and pick a fun avatar! For awesome podcasts to play, music to move to and stories and soundtracks for sleep, ask your grown-up to head to the kids’ tab on the ABC listen app. You can download it free from your app store. If you have any questions relating to this change, more informatio
July 14 · 14 min
FAN FAVE: How are seeds made?
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 the kids meet ecologist Professor Angela Moles for a bushwalk to find some answers... If you have a request or want to ask a new question... Drop us a line at imaginethis@abc.net.au Keep questioning! For more great kids podcasts, download the free ABC listen app (Australia). T
July 7 · 13 min
FAN FAVE: How are rainbows made?
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 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... If you have a request or want to ask a new question... Drop us a line at i
June 30 · 12 min
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 have a request or want to ask a new question... Drop us a line at imaginethis@abc.net.au Keep questioning! F
June 23 · 13 min
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-Zadeh as we shrink to fit inside his gas-smelling capsule to follow the journey of gas in our bodies. For more gr
May 12 · 14 min
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 podcasts, download the free ABC listen app (Australia). There you’ll find more kids news podcasts, educational c
May 5 · 14 min
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 app (Australia). There you’ll find more kids news podcasts, educational children’s stories and storytelling, podc
April 28 · 14 min
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 types of engines, how they make wheels spin and cars move! For more great kids podcasts, download the fre
April 21 · 15 min
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 inside a uterus to see how babies grow inside the body... For more great kids podcasts, download the free ABC
April 14 · 13 min
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 children’s stories and storytelling, podcasts from your favourite characters like Bluey and Hey Duggee and plenty mo
Dec 9, 2025 · 15 min
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.
Dec 2, 2025 · 13 min
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.
Nov 25, 2025 · 14 min
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.
Nov 18, 2025 · 14 min
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.
Nov 11, 2025 · 12 min
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.
Nov 6, 2025 · 10 min
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.
Aug 12, 2025 · 10 min
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.
Jun 3, 2025 · 15 min
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!
May 27, 2025 · 14 min
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!

Imagine This

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

ABC Kids listen is moving!

FAN FAVE: How are seeds made?

FAN FAVE: How are rainbows made?

FAN FAVE: How do fish breathe underwater?

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

How is soil made?

What makes food spicy?

How do engines make cars move?

How do babies grow inside a tummy?

Why do we yawn?

Why do we need sunscreen and how does it work?

What is snot and why do we have it?

Why is there dew on everything in the morning?

How do magnets work?

What are nits and why do they make us itch?

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

BONUS: Black Holes in the Imaginarium

How are stars made?

How does water turn into wee?