TV scientist to teach lesson to star pupils

Schoolchildren will win a chance to take part in a workshop with Professor Cox at Manchester University’s Jodrell Bank Observatory, learning about the solar system.

Prof Cox is hosting the “Big Bang Lesson” for the second year running as part of the Big Bang: Young Scientists and Engineers Fair, which aims to inspire youngsters to get involved in science.

During the lesson, pupils will see the observatory’s famous Lovell Telescope and take part in activities on astronomy.

Prof Cox said there is a perception that science is hard, but that you do not have to be a genius to have a career in science.

“The great thing is that science opens up a world of opportunities, you don’t have to understand everything, just interested,” he said.

“You just have to notice these things: the aurora borealis, what’s that? How old is the universe? Is there alien life out there somewhere? Those things are obviously interesting questions. No kid would think that ‘are there aliens?’ is not an interesting question.”

This summer, Chemistry entries were up 9.2 per cent from last year, with biology entries up 7.2 per cent and physics up by 6.1 per cent. It was suggested the rise is due to more science on TV.

n Enter a class for the workshop on facebook.com/TheBigBang4U by Monday, December 5.