On Sunday, January 14, the “Take Off – Science Challenge Show” premiered its inaugural episode intending to inspire and entertain the youth of Luxembourg and encourage them to explore the world of science.
Supported by the André Losch Foundation and the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR), this 13-episode multimedia programme, broadcast both on the web and on television, aims to stimulate young people’s interest in science in Luxembourg.
Stimulating fun and interest
Presented by Joseph Rodesch (aka Mr Science) and Lucie Zeches from the FNR’s science.lu team, in collaboration with Olivier Catani from RTL, the show pits 12 candidates aged between 15 and 21 against each other. Initially, they compete together as teams before moving on to individual tests. The winner and runner-up will to take home €10k and €5k respectively.
By showing that science is an integral part of our daily lives, the show hopes to not only entertain but also get young people interested in science.
“Through the TV programme, social networks and educational resources, it is not just an entertainment programme, but an educational and interactive platform. The FNR, with its wealth of experience in scientific communication, is committed to such projects to promote scientific culture, in line with our fundamental mission of enriching society through knowledge and research,” comments Dr Andreea Monnat, Acting Secretary General of the FNR.
Extending the show to schools
Beyond the show, Take Off plans to create educational content for teachers, explanatory videos for pupils, and teaching kits developed in collaboration with SCRIPT. Furthermore, the project will support the young participants in managing their communication on social networks and their public exposure.
Melanie Reuter, social networking expert at science.lu, emphasises the importance of online platforms for interaction with the public: “Social networks and web platforms play a crucial role for Take Off, as they offer an interactive experience that goes beyond the classic television experience.”
The concept of the programme was inspired by Rakett69, an Estonian science programme that won the award for best European educational programme. Take Off is also supported by the Ministry of Research and Higher Education and the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth.
For more information on the new show and where to watch it see here.
