Rough Science

Rough Science (2000-2005)

EndedDocumentary show

Science - tricky enough with a white coat, top-of-the-range instruments and a warm lab. But what would happen if you took a team of scientists, dumped them in an unforgiving environment and told them to get on with it?

Streaming

Watch Now

Network
Scheduleevery Wednesday (30 min)

Last Episode

Photo
Season 6Episode 630 min

Photo

The Rough Science team face their final challenge. They must take a memento of the mill and send it, by air, along a valley to Kate. Mike and Hermione decide to take a silver-nitrate photograph while Ellen and Jonathan hope to make hydrogen balloons to get the image to Kate. As silver compounds were used in early photography, Hermione hopes that some of the rock taken from the mine they explored last time will contain enough silver for their photograph. But when she casts an expert eye over the rock, Hermione can’t find any silver ore. So she decides to search for more promising rocks in an old silver mine. Mike’s job is to make nitric acid to react with Hermione’s silver ore and he chooses an unlikely source, horse manure. But can a combination of manure and stones produce a recognisable photograph? If the photo does get taken, there's still the problem of delivery. Jonathan and Ellen decide to make a hydrogen balloon with a timed release mechanism. Jonathan sets about making hydrogen using bits of zinc and acid while Ellen figures out how to use the wind to their advantage. Having made a wind speed detector from an old fan and voltmeter, Ellen has to figure out how to make the photograph drop into Kate’s eagerly waiting hands. It's touch and go as to whether the delivery system will work - and if there's something to deliver. Join the team to discover if they end their time in Colorado with a victory - or if they're heading home defeated.
Dec 7, 2005

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S06E06PhotoDec 7, 2005
S06E05MineNov 30, 2005
S06E04CleanNov 23, 2005
S06E03MountainNov 16, 2005
S06E02SafetyNov 9, 2005
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did Rough Science premiere?

Rough Science premiered on October 23, 2000.

Where was the first season of Rough Science filmed?

The first season of Rough Science was filmed on the Island of Capraia, Italy.

Who was the host of Rough Science?

Rough Science did not have a traditional host but was instead narrated by Kate Humble.

What was the format of Rough Science?

The show followed a group of scientists as they were given various challenges to complete using only the local resources available to them.

How many challenges did the contestants on Rough Science have to complete in each episode?

The contestants on Rough Science had to complete two challenges in each episode.

How long did each episode of Rough Science run?

Each episode of Rough Science ran for approximately one hour.

How many people competed in each season of Rough Science?

There were usually five scientists who competed in each season of Rough Science.

Did the contestants on Rough Science have access to modern equipment?

No, the contestants on Rough Science were only allowed to use local resources to complete their challenges, they had to build their own equipment.

What were some of the challenges the contestants on Rough Science had to complete?

The challenges on Rough Science included creating a camera obscura, making soap, and generating electricity.

Where was the second season of Rough Science filmed?

The second season of Rough Science was filmed in the Caribbean on Carriacou Island.

Was Rough Science an educational show?

Yes, Rough Science was designed to be an educational show that taught science in an entertaining and accessible way.

Did Rough Science have international appeal?

Yes, Rough Science was a popular show that aired in many countries around the world.

Did Rough Science have any spin-off shows?

No, Rough Science did not have any spin-off shows.

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
Body Cam
Running

Body Cam

Body Cam gives viewers their own eyewitness look at the life-or-death instant decisions of policework, as told by officers' own body camera footage. Offering an immersive portrayal of life on the streets, Body Cam engages a unique storytelling technique combining the body camera footage with first-hand accounts to virtually place viewers in harrowing moments as the suspense builds and the tension rises. Each episode tells multiple stories of those who vowed to protect and serve in unflinching detail, offering viewers their own personal perspective of officers in life-threatening circumstances. From domestic disputes to ambushes and traffic stops gone dangerously awry, Body Cam profiles just how quickly seemingly routine situations can escalate into tragic altercations.

GenreCrime
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Running

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Set thousands of years before the events of The Lord of the Rings, this epic drama follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth.

Survivor
Running

Survivor

Eighteen to twenty castaways will compete against each other on Survivor. All castaways will compete to outwit, outplay, outlast and ultimately be crowned Sole Survivor.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Running

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

On Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, John Oliver presents a satirical look at the week in news, politics and current events.

GenreComedy
Saturday Night Live
Running

Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live is an Emmy Award-winning late-night comedy showcase.

Since its inception in 1975, "SNL" has launched the careers of many of the brightest comedy performers of their generation. As The New York Times noted on the occasion of the show's Emmy-winning 25th Anniversary special in 1999, "in defiance of both time and show business convention, 'SNL' is still the most pervasive influence on the art of comedy in contemporary culture." At the close of the century, "Saturday Night Live" placed seventh on Entertainment Weekly's list of the Top 100 Entertainers of the past fifty years.