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This series is part of World of Wonder – a year of Science across the BBC in 2010. From popular science to Chaos Theory, there’s a little something for everyone.
Did you know that the BBC has a Science homepage?
It’s called “World of Wonder” – what a cool title.
You see the BBC know that if they want the public to watch their programs then they have to first of all draw them in and then they must deliver.
And the single best way to do this is with wonder. And the single best source of wonder is science.
And of course it helps if you have a passionate presenter who is comfortable in front of the camera.
The following represents just some of what they have produced lately:
The Story of Science: Power, Proof and Passion
Journeys from the centre of the earth
Wonders of the Solar System
Professor Brian Cox (the “rock star physicist” who looks as awed as I do when watching it) visits some of the most stunning locations on earth to describe how the laws of nature have carved natural wonders across the solar system.
Professor Cox has just started work on a new series entitled “Wonders of the Universe” – follow him on twitter.
Not a bad roll of honour – each one a wonderful representation of the story of science.
When RTE does Science it is invariably a natural history program – nothing wrong with that in itself, but a little more from the physical sciences would be nice.
Presumably it’s rather expensive to produce a Science program. The last wildlife program from the Nature department of RTE was aired recently: Wild Journeys was a three part documentary with wonderful scenary but woeful narration. It was completely devoid of that one word which the viewer could respond to more than any other – wonder. Check it out for yourself
Next time RTE is looking for material for a Science program they should just ask Mary Mulvihill for pointers and then give a lot of thought to choosing a presenter (and not just go with whoever happens to be passing on the corridor at the time). Why not have somebody who isn’t afraid to sound amazed or in awe of Nature? Imagine someone like Kathryn Thomas, Tommy Tiernan or Ray D’arcy narrating, or better still in front of the camera rather than just providing the voiceover.
Or my personal favourite – physicist/comedian Dara O’ Briain.
A step too far for the fuddy duddies in RTE methinks.
Think for Yourself 