Dara O Briain’s Science Club

Series two, episode one
Barely six months have passed since Irish comedian Dara O Briain finished the first series of ‘Science Club’, yet he’s already trying to get inside our heads again. Last time, O Briain dealt with scientists’ understanding of the brain and memory, but this time he’s focusing on the motor cortex. Thankfully, without the cutesy animations that made series one feel like a ‘Horrible Histories’ book.

In the studio, materials scientist Mark Miodownik and science journalist Alok Jha are put to the test to find out how easily our minds are manipulated. Taste buds are toyed with, visual fields get shifted and natural instincts are investigated, all for our amusement.

Meanwhile O Briain remains in presenter mode, except when throwing tennis balls at Miodownik; then, his cheeky, comedic lines come out (‘I could do this all night, I’ve got a whole basket’). Most importantly, you’re learning! We tend to associate this with the drudgery of school, but ‘Science Club’ is injecting some fun into further education.