Imagine a world where it’s all right to ask questions and have your voice heard. In each episode of Imagine This, we delve into a puzzling question from an inquisitive mind, examining the science behind it in a fun and engaging way. This podcast is suited to kids aged 4 and up, though all members of the family are sure to learn something! Our host, Brianna Peterson, chats to kids and Australia’s leading academics, taking you on an adventure to learn about the world around you. Imagine This is a coproduction between ABC KIDS listen and The Conversation.
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’.
8/20/2024 • 14 minutes, 28 seconds
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
8/13/2024 • 15 minutes, 49 seconds
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?
8/6/2024 • 13 minutes, 19 seconds
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….
7/30/2024 • 14 minutes, 7 seconds
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!
7/23/2024 • 13 minutes, 55 seconds
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.
12/19/2023 • 13 minutes, 19 seconds
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.
12/19/2023 • 13 minutes, 9 seconds
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.
12/19/2023 • 12 minutes, 53 seconds
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...
12/19/2023 • 14 minutes, 16 seconds
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...
12/19/2023 • 13 minutes, 21 seconds
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!
6/20/2023 • 14 minutes
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...
6/20/2023 • 14 minutes
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...
6/20/2023 • 14 minutes
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...
6/20/2023 • 14 minutes
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....
6/20/2023 • 15 minutes, 20 seconds
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...
12/6/2022 • 14 minutes, 31 seconds
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.
12/6/2022 • 13 minutes, 45 seconds
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!
12/6/2022 • 14 minutes, 34 seconds
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...
12/6/2022 • 12 minutes, 39 seconds
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.
12/6/2022 • 14 minutes, 57 seconds
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!
11/7/2022 • 1 minute, 28 seconds
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!
9/20/2022 • 9 minutes, 53 seconds
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.
7/27/2022 • 2 minutes, 48 seconds
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.
6/14/2022 • 14 minutes, 16 seconds
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.
6/14/2022 • 13 minutes, 19 seconds
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.
6/14/2022 • 11 minutes, 37 seconds
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.
6/14/2022 • 13 minutes, 48 seconds
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.
6/14/2022 • 11 minutes, 59 seconds
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.
5/4/2022 • 1 minute
BONUS: Weather in the Imaginarium
Dr Nij is back in The Imaginarium, working his way through all your weather questions!
4/5/2022 • 10 minutes, 10 seconds
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?
12/7/2021 • 14 minutes, 3 seconds
How are lightning and thunder made?
Storms can be wet and windy, but how do they make bright lightning and loud thunder?
12/7/2021 • 12 minutes, 49 seconds
What is a cool fire?
Fire is really hot, and it can be dangerous, so what is a cool fire?
12/7/2021 • 13 minutes, 18 seconds
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?
12/7/2021 • 11 minutes, 57 seconds
Where do our voices come from?
How do you talk? And why do we all sound different?
12/7/2021 • 12 minutes, 59 seconds
BONUS: Welcome to The Imaginarium!
Join Dr Nij in The Imaginarium, the place where all your Imagine This questions arrive.
11/10/2021 • 9 minutes, 2 seconds
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?
4/6/2021 • 11 minutes, 6 seconds
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…
4/6/2021 • 12 minutes, 17 seconds
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?
4/6/2021 • 12 minutes, 32 seconds
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?
4/6/2021 • 10 minutes, 57 seconds
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.
4/6/2021 • 12 minutes
Bri has a question...
Imagine This is back and this time, Bri has a big question to ask...
3/16/2021 • 5 minutes, 42 seconds
Introducing - Noisy by Nature
While you wait for brand new episodes of Imagine This, we have a wonderful podcast for you to listen to. It's called Noisy by Nature, and it takes your ears outside to listen to all the weird and wonderful sounds that nature makes!
4/20/2020 • 8 minutes, 10 seconds
What is coronavirus?
Today on Imagine This, we're being visited by our friend Ruby from News Time. Together we're going to ask a big question that's on a lot of people's minds: What is coronavirus and what can we all do to help keep everyone safe?
4/15/2020 • 9 minutes, 25 seconds
Why do shooting stars fall out of the sky?
Do you ever look up at the stars for long enough to see a shooting star fall from the sky? What makes them fall, and are they really stars that come down to Earth or are they something else? In this episode, Bri and Dr Lisa-Harvey Smith are looking up into the night sky to see what they can find.
6/18/2019 • 10 minutes, 14 seconds
Why did the dinosaurs die?
Long, long ago, the world was ruled by the dinosaurs. Today, we see them by looking at their bones in a museum, or reading about them in books. So what happened to these ancient creatures? In this episode, Bri and Dr Caitlin Syme go looking for dino-clues to uncover the story of the dinosaurs.
6/11/2019 • 10 minutes
Why do we lose our baby teeth?
When we’re babies, our teeth come through so we can start chomping on solid foods. Then something strange happens and we start to get wobbly teeth. In this episode Jack wants to know why our baby teeth come out, so dentist Dr Mihiri Silva and host Bri investigate why this happens.
6/4/2019 • 9 minutes, 17 seconds
Why are there waves?
Pack your bucket and spade, we’re taking a trip to the beach! Evie has noticed that there are lots of waves at the beach, and she wants to know what makes all those waves happen. Join our host Bri and wave expert Mark Hemer as we investigate what makes those waves crash onto our shore.
5/28/2019 • 9 minutes, 12 seconds
How was the Earth made?
Everything we see today, all the animals and trees and houses, are all part of our planet Earth. But where do you think the Earth came from? In this episode, physicist Dr Niraj Lal tells us a story that started a long, long, long time ago.
5/21/2019 • 8 minutes, 6 seconds
How does our heart beat?
We all have a heart beating in our chest. Sometimes our hearts beat fast, and sometimes they beat slow, but how do they work? In this episode, Louis wants to know what makes our hearts beat. Join our host Bri and Dr Shane Nanayakkara as they listen close to find out what our hearts are doing.
5/14/2019 • 9 minutes
Why do leaves fall off trees?
Have you ever noticed that some trees change in the Autumn? Their leaves can turn from green to red and yellow, and fall to the ground. In this episode Emma wants to know why trees lose their leaves, so tree scientist Matilda Brown helps us to solve the mystery of the falling leaves.
5/7/2019 • 8 minutes, 31 seconds
How do we smell?
Did you know that smell is one of the first senses we develop? We can smell before we’re even born. Smells are so powerful they can bring back memories and even make us hungry! In this episode, Dr Rodrigo Suarez helps us sniff out some good and bad smells to find out where they're coming from.
4/30/2019 • 9 minutes
Why do volcanoes erupt?
Volcanoes are one of the most powerful forces on Earth. This week we go right up close with volcanologist Heather Handley and peek inside a volcano to see how they work. Turns out here’s a lot going on underground!
4/23/2019 • 9 minutes, 7 seconds
Why do birds sing?
When birds sing, what do you think they’re saying? In this episode we head to the park with Simon Griffith to listen to the birds. Put your listening ears on and get ready to hear some amazing singers.
4/16/2019 • 9 minutes
Where do dreams come from?
In this episode Winifred wants to know where our dreams come from, so psychologist Dr Shane Rogers and host Bri go on an adventure inside the mind to explore the incredible world of dreams.
4/9/2019 • 8 minutes
The new season of Imagine This is coming!
Good news Imagine This fans, your favourite science based podcast will be returning in April.
In the meantime, here's a tantalising teaser revealing some of the topics, Bri and her team of experts will unpack in Season 3.
For bonus Imagine This content from Season 2 watch Bri and her friends answer some tricky questions about hiccups, clouds, mosquitos and more in 6 animated videos.
3/11/2019 • 8 minutes, 18 seconds
Is there life in other galaxies?
Here on Imagine This, we get lots of questions about SPACE. In this episode, our good friend Professor Jonti Horner, from the University of Southern Queensland, is back to help us answer a big mystery... is there life in other galaxies? We go looking for Alien life in other parts of the Universe to see who or what, is out there.
11/6/2018 • 10 minutes
Why do we have bones?
Underneath your skin and muscle, you might be able to feel your bones. But why are they there? Join us as we find out more about the human skeleton and what it does. Dr Emma Duncan from the University of Queensland explains what’s going on under our skin.
10/31/2018 • 9 minutes, 16 seconds
What are spiderwebs made from?
Did you know that spiders have a secret superpower? They can spin their own homes in the form of strong and sticky spider webs. But how do they do it? Dr Andrew Walker from the University of Queensland, is our expert on creepy crawlies, and he swings in to tell us why spiderwebs are so strong.
10/23/2018 • 9 minutes, 1 second
Why do we need food?
Why do we have to eat vegetables and fruits? How come we can’t just have ice-cream and lollies for every meal? Every time we eat, our food goes on an amazing journey through our body. Dr Amanda Devine from Edith Cowan University chats with us about what happens when we eat and why we need food to survive.
10/16/2018 • 8 minutes, 46 seconds
How do echidnas breathe underground?
Have you ever seen a spikey echidna? They love to dig into the ground with their strong claws, but Isabella wants to know how they can breathe when their little faces are under the ground. So we chat with Echidna expert Dr Christine Cooper from Curtin University to uncover the secrets of these spikey little creatures.
10/9/2018 • 9 minutes, 47 seconds
Where do our recycled items go?
When you put your recycling in the bin where do you think it goes? Into the rubbish truck? But then what happens to it? We find out what happens with the help of rubbish expert Dr Trevor Thornton from Deakin University.
10/2/2018 • 7 minutes, 57 seconds
Why does rain only come from grey clouds?
Have you ever noticed that rain comes from grey clouds and not white clouds? Fiona has been looking up into the sky and wants to know why the rain only comes from grey clouds. Join Bri and Robyn Duell from the Bureau of Meteorology, as they do some serious cloud watching.
9/25/2018 • 8 minutes, 2 seconds
Why is the Earth Round?
It might not look like it from where you stand, but the Earth is actually shaped like a giant ball. So how do we stand on it and not fall off? Dr Jacinta Den Besten from the University of Melbourne helps us learn all about gravity.
9/18/2018 • 8 minutes, 18 seconds
Why are mosquito bites itchy?
If you’ve ever been bitten by a mosquito, you might know how hard it is not to itch it! In this episode, our question comes from James who is traveling around Australia with his family. They get bitten by mozzies all the time and he wants to know why these bites are so itchy. Dr Emily Flies from the University of Tasmania joins us to investigate those irritating little bites.
9/10/2018 • 8 minutes, 27 seconds
Why do we get the hiccups?
Have you ever had hiccups? In this episode, we go on an adventure to find out where the hiccups come from and why they happen. Join Bri and Dr Emma Beckett from the University of Newcastle as they go on a hiccup hunt.
9/4/2018 • 8 minutes, 24 seconds
Do animals sleep like people?
If you sleep in a cozy bed, with a soft blanket and your favourite toy, how do you think other animals sleep? Do they have beds like us? This week 5-year-old Lucinda wants to find out more about the sleeping habits of snails, birds and whales, so we chat to sleep scientist Dr.John Lesku from La Trobe University to get the low down on how other animals sleep.
5/29/2018 • 7 minutes, 42 seconds
Does space go on forever?
Space is so big that it's big enough to contain the Earth, all the other planets, the Sun and all the stars we see at night. Conrad has always wondered if space goes on forever.
5/22/2018 • 9 minutes, 25 seconds
How does a tiny seed grow into a huge tree?
All the trees and plants we see have come from tiny, weeny seeds. So how does something so tiny grow into something so big?
5/15/2018 • 9 minutes, 3 seconds
Why can I sometimes see the moon in daytime?
Sometimes we see it, sometimes we don't. That elusive moon of ours is always moving through the sky. Sometimes we can even see it in the daytime.
5/8/2018 • 7 minutes, 29 seconds
Why does a snake go “ssss” with its tongue poking out?
We know that a cow goes "moo" and a dog goes "woof" but why does a snake go "sssss" and why does it poke its tongue out?
5/1/2018 • 8 minutes, 6 seconds
Where does money come from?
4/24/2018 • 7 minutes, 12 seconds
Why do tears come out of our eyes when we cry?
Grace wants to know where tears come from and why they drip out of our eyes?
4/17/2018 • 7 minutes, 57 seconds
Why do stars twinkle?
When you look up into the night sky, do you see the stars twinkle back at you? Three-year-old Max really wants to know why the stars twinkle, so our Imagine This host Bri has teamed up with astrophysicist Jonti Horner, from the University of Southern Queensland, and a bunch of inquisitive kids to investigate the night sky and find out what makes the twinkle happen.
4/8/2018 • 7 minutes, 8 seconds
Why don’t cats wear shoes?
4/8/2018 • 7 minutes, 8 seconds
Where does poo go when I flush it down the toilet?
4/8/2018 • 8 minutes, 17 seconds
Welcome to Imagine This, a podcast with big ideas for little ones
Imagine a world where it’s alright to ask questions and have your voice heard. Each episode we delve into a puzzling question from an inquisitive mind, examining the science behind it in a fun and engaging way.
