Fun with science

Who’s in it?Sethi is a good choice to play the affable host,who has the answers to youngsters’ science queries. He’s energetic and enthusiastic,although he sometimes verges on being a little over the top with his exclamations of surprise and wonder. He also has the slight annoying habit of talking to his robot (who’s obviously just a human being in costume) but looking at the camera. Crash doesn’t get to talk at all,although he does get to test things with Sethi —like,how to pierce a potato using just a straw and what happens when you drop a mint candy into a glass of soda. But its Dr Kholkar who’s the star of the show,really. He’s completely at ease in front of the camera and his slightly manic manner and delivery complement his penchant for opening all manner of machines.

What’s hot?We like that each topic is addressed for five minutes at the most. Most children have short attention spans and its highly unlikely that any concept,addressed and explained in detail for more than a few minutes,will grip them.

What’s not?Unfortunately,it’s the brevity of each segment that lets the show down. For instance,in the funnel example,Sethi explains that the candle flame cannot be blown out through a funnel,because of the shape of the funnel,which creates a low pressure area in the middle by pushing air to the sides. So instead of being extinguished the flame is attracted towards the low pressure area. This would’ve been so much better if only he had explained what a low pressure area means and why the flame should be attracted to it. That might make the show a lot more relatable and enjoyable for the audience.

Should you be watching it?It’s a good way to get children interested in basic science,but as far as creativity is concerned,it could do much better.