University of the West of England - Chemistry meets comedy

Academics have teamed up with Horrible Science illustrator David Smith to develop a series of ten comics designed to make chemistry fun for primary-age children. The Horrible Science series of books presents scientific issues in a fun and accessible format. The academics, from the University of the West of England, will work with Mr Smith to develop comics based on a character called "The Chemedian" - a comic chemist - after winning a £72,000 grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council's Partnerships for Public Engagement Fund. Emma Weitkamp, senior lecturer in science communication, said: "We are hoping that reluctant readers will tune in to the comic-strip approach and that our project will inspire them to engage with science."