Scope

BIODIVERSITY - 2010 is the UN's International Year of Biodiversity so this episode of Scope sees Dr Rob examining Biodiversity and explaining what it is. With some of Australia's top scientists and experts we look at how marine biodiversity can be measured as well as how feral animals can reduce biodiversity and even how something as damaging as a fire can promote it! We even find out how animals get their names when we delve into the fascinating world of taxonomic classification. Biodiversity 101 - Dr. Rob heads to the rainforest to get the full picture of what biodiversity means. He explains what biodiversity is, where you can find it, and why it is important. Experiment - Backyard Biodiversity - Julia gets out her magnifying glass and puts on her detective hat to solve the mystery of how many types of ants live in her backyard. Taxonomy - What's in a name? Find out from Beth Mantle, a scientist at the CSIRO Australian National Insect Collection. She explains how and why each plant and animal gets a unique and extremely long name. Feral Animal Control - There are some sneaky animals that actually decrease biodiversity. On a mission to reverse this is Daniel Iglesias, a Park Ranger from the ACT Parks and Conservation Services. He fills us in how to get rid of feral animals and, once that's done, how to restore biodiversity. Marine Biodiversity - Come with us on an ocean adventure! We join Jenn Loder from Reef Check Australia as she dives underwater to count and compare how many marine creatures, plants, and corals there are in the sea. Fire and Biodiversity - Fire seems like the last thing that would contribute to biodiversity, but in fact some plants need fire to reproduce! Steve Lyngcoln from SEQ Catchments takes us out into the bush to fill us in on all the surprising details. So join Dr Rob to count creatures, peer at plants, and frown at fungi as he once again proves that the ordinary really does become extraordinary; under the SCOPE!

H2O - We dive into everything to do with water as Dr Rob explains H2O basics and takes a close up look at high diving and ice making. We'll also check out how a desalination plant works and even get up close and personal with our largest river system - the mighty Murray! H2O 101 - For such a common substance, water has some amazing properties! Dr Rob dives in to find out what you can do with, what you can do on, and what you can do in water. Experiment - Ice and Salt - Julia gets the low-down on the solid and liquid forms of H20. She experiments with ice, salt, and water with some surprising results - all in the comfort of her kitchen! Desalination - There is so much water in the ocean, if only we could drink it - well, with help from Sean McCagh, Operations Manager at the Gold Coast Desalination Plant we can! He shows us how to take water from the ocean and get out all of the salt and other nasties. Ice Factory - Making ice isn't always as simple as filling a tray, especially when making loads of it. General Manager of Adelaide Ice Neil House takes us on a tour of an ice factory and shows us the big freeze. High Diving - What does diving have to do with surface tension? Find out from Diving Victoria Coach Matt Adamson. He explains the ups and downs of diving and the importance of hitting the water just right. Murray River Research - The Murray is Australia's largest river system, but sadly it has seen better days. Justin Brookes, a biologist from the University of Adelaide shows us what he is researching and how he is helping to save the Murray River. So join Dr Rob for this swim along, splash along, sing along edition of the show, as he once again proves that the ordinary really does become extraordinary; under the SCOPE!

ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM. It's all about the electromagnetic radiation spectrum - sounds complicated but this episode will make it all crystal clear. Dr Rob takes us through the elements of the EMS that we take for granted everyday then we delve into stories as fascinating as a crustacean with the most complex eyes on earth, just how television broadcasting works as well as fibre optics and medical imaging. Electromagnetic Spectrum 101 - Dr Rob takes us through the electromagnetic spectrum, explaining waves, frequencies, and colour. He tells us about the amazing things we can do with the spectrum, like broadcast episodes of Scope! Experiment - Remote Controlled Car We know what makes a remote controlled car go, but what makes one stop? Julia grabs the steering wheel and switches gears to find out what can stop a remote controlled car in its tracks. Mantis Shrimp Vision - The Mantis Shrimp is a truly astonishing animal, and to discuss it we join Justin Marshall, a biologist at the University of Queensland. Among other amazing qualities, this little critter can see ultraviolet light, and Justin explains why. Broadcasting - Just how will this episode of Scope end up being beamed out of television screens? We ask Jake Gillespie, Senior Broadcast Operator at Network Ten, who tells us all about broadcasting. Fibre Optics - What do thin glass tubes have to do with telephone conversations, television shows, and websites? We find out from Sean Manning, a physicist with the University of Adelaide, who fills us on how fibre optics work and how they are made. X-Rays - The electromagnetic spectrum doesn't just help us see things, it helps us see through things - people! We follow radiologist John Slavotinek from Flinders Medical Centre as he shows us X-rays, cat scans and MRIs. So join Dr Rob from gamma rays to x-rays and from microwaves to radio waves as he once again proves that the ordinary really does become extraordinary; under the SCOPE!

SCIENCE OF ART. Science and Art might not sound very compatible but this episode of Scope proves that through the ages they have really been the best of friends! Dr Rob takes us through the scientific journey of art exploring everything from glass blowing to digital photography. We'll see the high tech methods of restoring old artworks as well as finding out how big public artworks are designed and engineered. Science of Art 101 - Just how are Art and Science connected? Dr Rob explains the link between them and how it has developed throughout history. He takes us from ancient cave paintings through to modern art and shows us the science behind it all. Experiment - Spiral Art - Julia proves that anyone can be an artist and a scientist at the same time! She shows us how to make a beautiful spiral sculpture with a scientific twist. Sculpture Engineering - Making a sculpture is usually pretty straightforward, until you need to make a giant one for the public to view outdoors. Matthew Harding, a resident sculptor at Gasworks Art Park, explains how to engineer and build a sculpture that will withstand the elements. ArtLab - How do paintings and sculptures that are hundreds of years old look as good as new? We ask a conservator, Kristin Phillips from ArtLab, and she tells us about all the tricks used to make classic artworks look just as the artist intended. Photography - Photography may be an art, but camera technology is a science. We join Pete Dobre, a landscape photographer with OzScapes to learn all about cameras, and take a few snaps along the way. Glass Blowing - Glass blowing as an art form has been around for hundreds of years. Eileen Gordon, a glass artist with Gordon Studios, introduces us to this amazing process by making us some glass blown art! So pick up a paintbrush with Dr Rob and get creative as he once again proves that the ordinary really does become extraordinary; under the SCOPE!

BEACH SCIENCE. Scope has stepped out of the Lab and hit the beach for this episode that puts Beach Science under the scope. Dr Rob proves that the Beach is brimming with Science as we look at everything from Volley Ball to beach dwelling Seals with Rock Pools and even Sand Sculpture scoped out in this jam packed episode! Beach Science 101 - What makes a beach a beach? Dr Rob explains all of the science behind how a beach is created and maintained. He tells us about how sand is made, how waves form and break, and how beaches change over time. Experiment - Sand - Julia finds out that not all sand is created equally! She explores the beach by moving from the dunes to the breaking waves, and leaves no grain unturned to experiment with the science of sand. Sand Sculpture - Have you ever made a sand castle and wondered how it stays up? So did we! We asked Peter Redmond, a Sand Sculptor with Sandstorm Events, to show us how to make a sand sculpture and explain how it is possible. Rock Pools - Living in a rock pool is a tough life for an animal. To find out how these creatures survive and what makes this unique habitat so special, we join Marine Biologist Alex Giannuzzi at the Queenscliff Marine Discovery Centre. Seal Science - Australian Sea-Lions live only on the southern coast of South Australia and Western Australia, so to get a closer look at these amazing animals we visit Clarence Kennedy, a Senior Guide with the Department of Environment and Heritage. Beach Volleyball - Professional beach volleyball players like Dan Carey spend a lot of time at the beach, and a lot of science goes into their training and games. Dan brings us to a match with some of the Sandstorm Sports team and explains the science behind the sport. So join Dr Rob for a day at the beach as he once again proves that the ordinary really does become extraordinary; under the SCOPE!

ROBOT SCIENCE. This episode of Scope is a complete Robot-a-rama as Dr Rob and the team check out some of the latest robot science. Robot locomotion and intelligence all come under the scope with the help of some of Australia's leading scientists and we even check out how fly eyes are helping robots see better! Robot Science 101 - Dr. Rob enters the world of robots to explain what a robot is and what a robot does. He describes the features a robot must have, like a brain and sensors. Dr. Rob leaves no stone unturned and tells us about the things robots can do for us and the direction that robot research is heading. Car Wash - What does a car wash have to do with robots? As Julia finds out, a car wash is a robot! She joins Adam Pisk, a car-wash expert with Autowash, to find out how a car wash works and why it is a robot. Robot Locomotion - It is surprisingly hard for robots to move around, so we asked Steven Grainger, a Mechatronics Engineer with the University of Adelaide, to introduce us to the wheels and balls that he designs for robots to move around on. Robot Intelligence - What if a robot could know if you were happy, or sad, or angry? Rajiv Khosla and Rylan Gan are working on robots at LaTrobe University that will be able to tell how their owner is feeling and respond to their emotions. Robot Kids - We join three students who prove that you don't have to be in a lab to carry out some great science! Rhajiv, Emma, and Renee are from Hamilton College and they show us how they have been programming robots. Robot Vision - Would it be better for a robot to see like a fly, or like a person? Russell Brinkworth, a Biomedical Engineer from the University of Adelaide, introduces us to a robot that needs to see movement, so has eyes based on those of a fly! So join Dr Rob to walk, talk, and see like a robot as he once again proves that the ordinary really does become extraordinary, under the SCOPE!