2010 Royal Institution Christmas Lectures

For many families the Royal Institution’s Christmas Lectures have been a festive tradition for generations. The science lectures, educating and entertaining families since 1825 provide the original and the best science communications for young people.

This year, the three part series will be returning home to the BBC, airing on BBC Four at 8pm on Tuesday 28 , Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 December. 

As part of the televised series Dr Mark Miodownik will explain how hamsters can survive falling from an aircraft without a parachute, why our planet is so puny, and explain the extraordinary hidden powers of human hair.

Mark explains: “As a materials scientist, I explore the stuff around us and try to work out why it behaves the way it does, be it a chocolate bar, a jet engine, or even an elephant. I’m really excited about giving the RI Christmas Lectures this year, and can’t wait to get involved with the audience at the lectures, and those families who are watching at home. I can remember watching a Christmas lecture in 1977 by Carl Sagan on The Planets and feel privileged to be on the other side of the lecture desk in 2010!”

One of the other areas that Mark will investigate during the programmes is why chocolate melts in your mouth. He’ll be encouraging viewers to join in with an experiment that demonstrates how the crystal structure of the cocoa butter is crucial to every family’s favourite festive treat! Getting this crystal structure right is the trick but it’s not easy – there are six different crystal structures and only one works. Who would have thought that eating crystals of fat would be so delicious?

To find out more amazing facts and fascinating information, you and your family can watch the 2010 Royal Institution Christmas Lectures on BBC Four at 8pm on Tuesday 28, Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 December.

For more information visit the Ri website: www.rigb.org/christmaslectures2010