Ten Alps to launch science site

The Science Museum

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Ten Alps-owned indie Brook Lapping is to launch a global online science channel in conjunction with the Science Museum and the Royal Institution.

The Newton Project will launch early next year as a place for scientists and the public to share research, ideas and discoveries.

Initial content will range from topical debates to a live link with a surgeon during a kidney transplant, plus the culinary alchemy of chef Heston Blumenthal.

The free channel will eventually commission content from indies and will be funded by advertising and sponsorship. Ten Alps is putting up the initial funding and is hoping to secure grants to help support it.

Users will be able to use social networking, blogs and user-generated content tools on the site. Brook Lapping previously established the successful pioneering online channel Teachers.tv.  

Stephen Wilkinson, who heads the project, said: "We are determined to provide content that will engage the public, educate, and show how science works within our everyday lives."

Royal Institution director of programmes Gail Cardew said: "The media interest in the particle accelerator at Geneva proves there is an increasing appetite for science. This is perfect to take thought-provoking programming to a worldwide audience."