Can’t get your kids excited about science? Get a little help from these characters!
In recent years, we’ve been spoiled for choice with TV science programmes targeted towards younger audiences. The best ones motivate kids to get out and about, exploring their environment.
N
ina and the Neurons is a pro- gramme on CBeebies about a bubbly female scientist and her five neuron characters, each rep- resenting her five senses: Baby Bud (a cheeky little taste bud) and Ollie (olfactory system – sense of smell) are brother and sister. Then there’s Belle, the neuron for hearing, Felix, for the sense of touch, and for eyesight, Luke (‘Feel-ix’ and ‘Look.’ See what they did there?)
Nina and her Neurons go on tour
around the UK, answering children’s essential science questions and bringing science to life with creative demonstrations. Subsequent spin-offs featuring Nina have covered inven- tions, discoveries and strong ecological messages, all without the feeling you’re being lectured. The latest series is Nina and The Neurons Go Engineering, tell- ing you where breakfast cereal comes from and how electricity is generated by water. Nina covers all those vital, yet awkward questions asked of parents at the most inopportune moments, like ‘Why do dad’s feet smell?’ or “What happens when we need a wee?”
www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/nina-and- the-neurons The online game universe Moshi Monsters features a female scientist Tamara Tesla in their Super Moshi Missions, and there are plenty of questions and puzzles to do every day in the Moshi Puzzle Palace. If you have been living in a cave and not already been exposed to the Moshi phenomenon, register for free at
www.moshimonsters.com. The hugely popular Wallace and Gromit have always flown the flag for engineering and invention. Their website is choc- full of ideas and games: design a toy, a chocolate bar or puppet show. This year’s inven- tion competition has a space theme.
www.crackingideas.com Richard Hammond has pre- sented several science shows for
Above: Nina and the Neurons on CBeebies
young people, including Blast Lab and Brainiac: Science Abuse. The aforementioned Brian Cox is also having a very successful career as science presenter with his Wonders of Life and Wonders of the Universe. His enthusiasm and clear presenting style has made him a popular choice for many science programmes. He and Dara O’Braian have made astronomy much more accessible to the public with their programme BBC Stargazing LIVE. And there are many live public events going on around the country. Events have been posted up until the middle of March at the time of writing, although these may well continue later into the year. Why not have a stargazing party of your own? A Stargazing pack is available for download on the BBC website. It’s packed with ideas for star-themed food, fancy dress and general tips on how to organise a successful Star Party. For more information and astronomy-related activities, take a look here:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/ b019h4g8/features/events
WWW.MUMSMAG.NET 13
©BBC/Andrew Hayes-Watkins
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