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Scientific Conflict in Turkey

Turkey's science funding council is accused of religious bias over science teaching. Plus, what superheroes can teach us about science.

The Turkish government’s refusal to fund a summer school course on evolution has brought into sharp focus the divisions between political Islam and secular society in Turkey.

In school creationism is taught alongside evolution, though studies show there is more emphasis on the former. Many scientists see these moves as part of an anti-science agenda from the Islamist government. However the government points out it is still the largest funder of scientific research in Turkey.

What Superheroes Can Tell Us About Science
A new series of online videos uses superpowers such as flight, invisibility and immortality to illustrate a range of scientific concepts in an accessible way.

Knitting Perovskite
The global mission to knit the molecular structure of perovskite – a substance found in everyday electronics. Despite its abundance and wealth of uses, it remains obscure.

(Photo credits: AFP/Getty Images, Getty Images, Simon Redfern)

Available now

18 minutes


  • Scientific conflict in Turkey

    Scientific conflict in Turkey between political Islam and secular society.

    Duration: 05:26

  • Superhero science

    What superheroes can teach us about science.

    Duration: 06:47

  • Knitting perovskite molecules

    How knitting helps us understand molecular structure.

    Duration: 04:38


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