Imagine This

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! 

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’.

08-20
14:28

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

08-13
15:49

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?

08-06
13:19

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…. 

07-30
14:07

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!

07-23
13:55

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...

12-19
13:18

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...

12-19
14:17

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.

12-19
12:53

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.

12-19
13:09

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.

12-19
13:49

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.... 

06-20
15:20

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...

06-20
14:11

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...

06-20
14:04

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... 

06-20
14:14

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!

06-20
14:09

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...

12-06
14:31

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.

12-06
13:45

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!

12-06
14:34

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...

12-06
12:39

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.

12-06
14:57

Kathryn Hoey

Why is water important

05-15 Reply

Kathryn Hoey

Please post more I love the podcast!

05-15 Reply

Kathryn Hoey

why is ferderlizer importent

03-20 Reply

Emily Harrison

My son wants to know, "Where do freckles come from?"

07-01 Reply

Loren Morris

my son wants to know why his shadow makes him look tall?

01-20 Reply

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