Science communicator gives electrifying tv appearance

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Science communicator gives electrifying tv appearance

Ever wondered about the safest place to be if you happen to be caught in a thunder and lightning storm?

If so you may get a few helpful pointers on tomorrow (Friday) night's topical BBC magazine programme The One Show.

Dr Ken Skeldon, the University of Aberdeen's new public engagement development officer, is helping the BBCOne show – which reaches around 5 million viewers each weekday night - set the record straight on lightning strikes.

Using Aberdeen's popular Satrosphere Science Centre and the city's Duthie Park as backdrops, the award winning science communicator worked with the One Show team to set up a suite of electrifying demonstrations.

Questions such as why rubber tyres don't help if your car is struck by lightning; how you can predict lightning; and whether lightning really does strike twice in the same place will be featured in the high-voltage piece.

Dr Skeldon - who is spearheading the University's drive to engage the public more widely in its groundbreaking research - and his demonstrations were filmed for the sequence which will be presented by The One Show's resident scientist Marty Jopson.

Said Dr Skeldon: "The One Show's series of debunking myths surrounding science has covered all sorts of topics including mobile phone safety and why toast falls butter side down. In this latest film we talk about lightning, and try to debunk some of the commonly held beliefs about what's safe and what isn't during a thunderstorm."

The University launched its public engagement strategy last month and is currently planning its 2009 programme.

The One Show is broadcast on BBCOne at 7pm. 

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