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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64 episodes
Updated July 21

Episodes64

Newest first

Dec 6, 2022 · 14 min
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!
Dec 6, 2022 · 12 min
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...
Dec 6, 2022 · 14 min
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.
Nov 7, 2022 · 1 min
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!
Sep 20, 2022 · 9 min
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!
Jul 27, 2022 · 2 min
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.
Jun 14, 2022 · 14 min
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.
Jun 14, 2022 · 13 min
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.
Jun 14, 2022 · 11 min
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.
Jun 14, 2022 · 13 min
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.
Jun 14, 2022 · 11 min
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.
May 4, 2022 · 1 min
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.
Apr 5, 2022 · 10 min
BONUS: Weather in the Imaginarium
Dr Nij is back in The Imaginarium, working his way through all your weather questions!
Dec 7, 2021 · 14 min
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?
Dec 7, 2021 · 12 min
How are lightning and thunder made?
Storms can be wet and windy, but how do they make bright lightning and loud thunder?
Dec 7, 2021 · 13 min
What is a cool fire?
Fire is really hot, and it can be dangerous, so what is a cool fire?
Dec 7, 2021 · 11 min
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?
Dec 7, 2021 · 12 min
Where do our voices come from?
How do you talk? And why do we all sound different?
Nov 10, 2021 · 9 min
BONUS: Welcome to The Imaginarium!
Join Dr Nij in The Imaginarium, the place where all your Imagine This questions arrive.
Apr 6, 2021 · 11 min
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?

Imagine This

Why aren't there big animals like dinosaurs anymore?

Why do the tides go in and out?

How does my skin heal?

Introducing... Noisy by Nature!

BONUS: Marine Biology in the Imaginarium

Introducing... Dino Dome!

How do caterpillars turn into butterflies?

Why do farts come out of your bum?

How does the sun light up the world?

How did people come up with words?

How is water made clean to drink?

Introducing... Little Yarns!

BONUS: Weather in the Imaginarium

Why do animals have spots, stripes, and scales?

How are lightning and thunder made?

What is a cool fire?

How is paper made from trees?

Where do our voices come from?

BONUS: Welcome to The Imaginarium!

How do bees make honey?