Imagine This
Kids & Family
About
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 some...
Episodes
- What makes food spicy?
This episode of Imagine This explores the science behind what makes food spicy. Sensory scientist Professor Heather Smyth explains the origins of spice, its creation, and why milk can alleviate the burning sensation.
- How do engines make cars move?
Professor Shawn Kook from the UNSW Engine Research Lab explains how engines make cars move, addressing questions about how cars work, how different car types get power, and how hybrid cars function.
- How do babies grow inside a tummy?
This episode of Imagine This answers popular children's questions about how babies grow inside a tummy, how they are made, and why they have blood on them at birth, with explanations from Professor Tu'uhevaha Kaitu'u-Lino.
- Why do we yawn?
Nij and the kids join Dr. Kathleen Maddison from the Centre for Sleep Science to investigate why people yawn. The episode delves into the mysterious reasons behind yawning, tracing back to caveman times.
- Why do we need sunscreen and how does it work?
Professor Pablo Fernández-Peñas joins Nij and the kids to discuss sunscreen, explaining what it is and its function. The episode covers the importance of sun protection, particularly in the Australian climate.
- What is snot and why do we have it?
This episode explores the science behind snot and boogers, explaining their composition, production, and purpose. Associate Professor Kim Murphy guides listeners, including children, on a journey through the nasal passages to understand th…
- Why is there dew on everything in the morning?
Nate Byrne joins the podcast to explain the phenomenon of dew, detailing what it is and its origins, in response to the question of why objects are wet on cool, clear mornings.
- How do magnets work?
Dr. Cathy Foley, a physicist, explains to Nij and kids how magnets work, detailing their attractive and repulsive forces and why they adhere to surfaces. The episode explores the unique properties that give magnets their power.
- What are nits and why do they make us itch?
This episode explains what nits are and the reason behind the itching they cause. Medical entomologist Cameron Webb joins the show to investigate.
- Imagine This x Gardening Australia Junior: Why are worms good for the garden?
Dr Ngee, alongside the Gardening Australia Junior crew, explores the positive impact of worms on garden health.
- BONUS: Black Holes in the Imaginarium
In this bonus episode for Science Week, Dr. Kirsten Banks explores the nature of black holes. Listeners are encouraged to listen to the episode on how stars are made before this installment.
- How are stars made?
This episode of Imagine This features astrophysicist Dr. Kirsten Banks discussing the composition and formation of stars, answering the question of how they are made and end up in the sky.
- How does water turn into wee?
On the Imagine This podcast, Nij and children explore how the body transforms water into urine, discussing the health importance of hydration and the journey of water through the body with Dr. Sradha Kotwal.
- How is glass made?
This episode explores the process of glass manufacturing, tracing its origins back to Ancient Egypt and discussing its ubiquitous presence in modern life, from windows and refrigerators to cars and electronic devices.
- Do we control our feelings or do they control us?
This episode discusses whether humans control their feelings or are controlled by them. Nij and children visit Dr. Pete Koval at the F.E.E.L. lab to understand the sources and nature of emotions like happiness, sadness, and anger.
- How do snakes and spiders make venom?
In this episode, Dr. Timothy Jackson explains how snakes and spiders produce venom. The discussion covers encounters in the Australian bush and underwater environments.
- What is phone reception and why do my parents lose it?
The Imagine This podcast features Nij and kids speaking with Dr Shaghik Atakaramians to explain phone reception. They discuss why calls drop or pages fail to load, covering the technical aspects of mobile connectivity.
- Why do we get older?
Dr. Lindsay Wu discusses cellular aging and growth with Nij and kids, explaining why bodies grow, develop new teeth, and eventually stop growing.
- Why is the sea salty?
The episode
- What are rocks made of?
Nij and the kids investigate the composition and origin of rocks. They seek answers by visiting Dr Heather Handley inside a volcano.
- How do chickens make eggs?
Professor Kate Buchanan explains to Nij and the kids how chickens produce eggs, addressing the classic question of which came first, the chicken or the egg.
- How are rainbows made?
This episode of Imagine This explains the phenomenon of rainbows, discussing when they are visible, such as after rain or from sprinkler spray, and why they remain elusive.
- Who was the first person in the world?
The episode discusses the concept of the first human, using the analogy of family trees to explore origins. It features archaeologist Associate Professor Michelle Langley.
- How do snails get their shells?
Drs. John and Lorelle Stanisic, the Snail Whisperers, reveal the secret lives of snails and explain the process by which they develop their iconic spiral shells.
- How is fabric made?
This episode explores how fabric is made, using cotton as an example. Textiles expert Emma Peters details the process from the field to the final fabric.
- Why do we have to brush our teeth?
This episode explains the importance of brushing teeth, featuring insights from dentist Dr Mihiri Silva. It covers why dental hygiene is crucial for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
- How did the universe start?
Nobel Prize winning astrophysicist Professor Brian Schmidt joins Nij and the kids on Imagine This to explore the origins of the universe and discuss what existed before time.
- How did animals become pets?
In this episode of Imagine This, host Nij and the kids explore the origins of the human-animal bond. They speak with anthrozoologist Professor Pauleen Bennett to discover how animals like cats, dogs, parrots, and farm animals became our co…
- How do lights light up?
This episode of Imagine This discusses how lights turn on as night falls, focusing on the inner workings of LED light bulbs. Host Nij and children discuss this with physicist Professor Chennupati Jagadish.
- How are seeds made?
Ecologist Professor Angela Moles joins Nij and the kids to explore how seeds are made, addressing the question of how to get the first seed to start a plant.
- Why do we have to sleep?
Dr Jasneek Chawla discusses the physiological reasons for sleep with Nij and the kids, explaining why humans need to sleep.
- How is plastic made?
This episode investigates the origins and creation of plastic, a material prevalent in modern life. Professor Veena Sahajwalla explains what plastic is made from and how it is produced.
- How do birds fly?
Milly Formby, a pilot and zoologist, discusses how birds fly on the Imagine This podcast.
- Why aren't there big animals like dinosaurs anymore?
Imagine This explores the size of dinosaurs with Tim Richards from Dino Dome. The episode discusses how dinosaurs achieved their massive size and addresses why such large animals no longer exist.
- Why do the tides go in and out?
Associate Professor Ana Vila-Concejo explains the phenomenon of tides, addressing why water levels change throughout the day and how this affects shorelines.
- How does my skin heal?
Dr Greg Kelly discusses the process of skin healing, explaining the numerous bodily functions that work together to repair skin after an injury like a grazed elbow.
- Introducing... Noisy by Nature!
The podcast Imagine This announces the upcoming season of Noisy by Nature, hosted by nature expert Dr Ann Jones. This serves as a preview while listeners await the next episode of Imagine This.
- BONUS: Marine Biology in the Imaginarium
Nij hosts marine biologist Tooni Mahto on the Imaginarium podcast for a special bonus episode focusing on ocean questions.
- Introducing... Dino Dome!
Imagine This presents Dino Dome, a new podcast featuring science facts and dino-mite action. Hosted by Tim Richards and Amanda Shalala, new episodes are released every Thursday.
- How do caterpillars turn into butterflies?
Professor Myron Zalucki, Nij, and children explore the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly, using the imagined perspective of ladybugs to understand the process.
- Why do farts come out of your bum?
This episode of Imagine This explains why farts happen, covering their various characteristics and the journey of gas within the body with Professor Kourosh Kalantar-Zadeh.
- How does the sun light up the world?
This episode explains how the sun lights up the world, its role in plant growth and warmth, and clarifies that the sun is a star. Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith guides listeners on a journey to understand why we see one sun during the day and…
- How did people come up with words?
This episode of Imagine This features Dr. Howie Manns discussing the origins of words and the reasons behind the vast differences in language sounds across the world.
- How is water made clean to drink?
Dr. Anna Rigosi explains the water cycle and purification process, tracing water's path from the sky through rivers and lakes to household taps.
- Introducing... Little Yarns!
Imagine This recommends Little Yarns, a podcast hosted by Rudi Bremer that shares Australia's First languages. New episodes are released every Monday.
- BONUS: Weather in the Imaginarium
Dr Nij returns to The Imaginarium to address listener questions about weather.
- Why do animals have spots, stripes, and scales?
This episode of Imagine This discusses the various patterns found on animals, such as spots, stripes, and scales, and explores the reasons behind their existence.
- How are lightning and thunder made?
This episode of Imagine This explains the formation of lightning and thunder during storms. It covers the processes that lead to these atmospheric events.
- What is a cool fire?
This episode explores the concept of a "cool fire," distinguishing it from dangerous, hot fires. It provides a basic explanation of what constitutes a cool fire.
- How is paper made from trees?
This episode explores the process of transforming timber into paper, explaining how trees are processed to create thin, flat sheets.