The Hour

Science is boring and difficult. Or at least that’s what a lot of us believe, we didn’t understand it at school and it certainly doesn’t have anything much to do with us now.

If that’s what you think, then it’s unlikely that the very dashing Professor Brian Cox and his enthusiastic explanations of where it all began are going to change your mind. Even if he was in a rock band once. (D:Ream in case you’ve been living under a rock.)

The thing is, science is in desperate need of a makeover. It’s too important to our futures – and those of our children – to ignore.

You see, science is everywhere. Scientific advances are what are going to keep us all healthy, allow us to live within the planet’s diminished means, they will provide the coolest of jobs and keep us in touch and entertained.

But the problem is that somewhere along the line, something so important has got a bad reputation. A bit like old Skoda cars, staying at home for the holidays and Peter Andre used to have…

But how can this be? Scientists are responsible for the astounding leaps in technology that means the internet now fits on your phone. They are also going to bring us the green energy technology that will save the environment. Nothing is much cooler than this.

And, as a mum of three kids, one of whom isn’t yet two, it strikes me that children are born scientists. Only today, the youngest was experimenting with what happens when you put a hairbrush down the toilet and the consequences of making your breakfast cereal airborne.

The other boys are always curious to explore the world in detail too. We’re often conducting our own experiments, such as what really happens when you put a human tooth into a fizzy drink.

I often find weird concoctions in the kitchen. “I thought ketchup and milk would be an interesting mixture.” It wasn’t. And strange things in the freezer. “I wanted to see if the egg would break if it froze.” It didn’t.

For me, it would be fantastic if they kept their forensic fascination and ended up as grown-up scientists. And I think we’ll have some entertainment along the way.

To see just how much fun science is, have a look at The Hour’s resident boffin, Ali Floyd of Glasgow Science Centre. He answers the important questions such as how do we stop bubbles bursting and how can insects walk up walls.

There’s also the splendid Edinburgh International Science Festival which has a dazzling array of events, many of which are free. There are other festivals all over the country including Grangemouth and Orkney.

Of course, there is year-round science action at the Glasgow Science Centre, Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, Aberdeen Stratosphere and Dundee’s Sensation.

I’ll see you there with my young scientists. Oh, and by the way, a white coat isn’t necessary.