Science Interviews

Introducing the Tour de France

The Tour de France is an annual cycle race which takes place in July throughout France and its surrounding countries. Meera joined the Garmin-Transitions team out on the road to see it all in action, as it’s not just about winning the overall race, as Matt White, their sports director, explainsMatt White, Sports Director, Garmin-Transitions

Eating for Energy and Recovery

Nutritionists Matt Rabin and Mark Qod explain how our diets can not only give us the energy we need for endurance, but help our bodies recover as well...Mark Quod, Matt Rabin, Team Garmin-Transitions

Fans of the Tour

We meet a mix of fans and cyclists who travel from all over the world to see their cycling heroes in action...Cycling Fans worldwide, Thierry de Lambert, Geoff Bowden, Dez Cheatley

The Views of a Sprint Cyclist

We meet sprint cyclist Tyler Farrar to find out how he puts the technology, nutrition, and fitness together to try and win stages, and jerseys...Tyler Farrar, Team Garmin-Transitions

Eating your way to Endurance

Fergal Grace explains how a well timed and well controlled diet can provide the energy for endurance...Fergal Grace, Kingston University

Taking it to the VO2 max with Cycling Physiology

Cyclists on the Tour de France cover between 150 and 200 kilometres every day, for three weeks, with only two rest days in between. This requires an extreme level of stamina and endurance. So to find out how the physiology required to meet this endurance level can be monitored, and improved upon, Meera met sports physiologists, Fergal Grace and Adrian Elliot in their sports science lab at Kingston University and took Julia Graham along for some tests...Adrian Elliott, Fergal Grace, School of Sports and Exercise Science, Kingston University.

Mending broken bones at the Tour de France

As well as mending broken bikes, the cyclists may need broken bones mended, which is when team medic, Shannon Sovndal, is called into action. Meera found out more about his role. Shannon Sovndal, Team Doctor, Garmin-Transitions

Tackling Loss of Biodiversity

Michelle Osbourn from the Somerset Wildlife Trust explains how they're trying to tackle the loss of biodiversity by taking action at the local level.Michelle Osbourn, Somerset Wildlife Trust

Optimum Population Trust at Glastonbury

Ben Valsler chats with The Optimum Population Trust about their message at Glastonbury and for the wider world...Ross McCloud, Optimal Population Trust

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Green initiatives at Glastonbury

The Glastonbury organisers pride themselves on doing as much possible to reduce their impact - not just on the farm itself, but on a global scale. Lucy Brooking-Clark coordinates the festival’s green initiatives...Lucy Brooking-Clark, Green Initiatives Coordinator, Glastonbury

Water Aid at Glastonbury

Melanie Tompkins explains Water Aid's role and presence at Glastonbury...Melanie Tompkins

Pedal-powered washing machine

Alex Gadsden tells us about his pedal-powered washing machine - how it works and what it can do.Alex Gadsden, Inventor

Greenpeace at Glastonbury

Will Luton explains why a festival is good place to get environmental issues across...Will Luton, Greenpeace

Science and the Spoken Word

Baba Brinkman on his own brand of hip-hop, and bringing science to the poetry and spoken word tent at Glastonbury.Baba Brinkman, Hip-Hop artist

Building the basics of Glastonbury

Turning a farm into a city and then back again, is no easy feat. For the festival to run smoothly there must be adequate water, sanitation, road access, and electricity. Phil Miller speaks of the challenges of managing this succesfully and Georgie Pope takes us on a tour of the site...Phil Miller, Infrastructure Manager, and Georgie Pope, Glastonbury Festival

Making Festivals Sustainable

Helen Heathfield explains how festivals compare with more traditional forms of entertainment when it comes to sustainability...Helen Heathfield, Julie's Bicycle

Performing at Glastonbury

Paloma Faith discusses why Glastonbury is so important for a performer and how the environmental message hits home.Paloma Faith, Singer, song-writer, and actress

Science and Politics at Glastonbury

Stand-up comedian Josie Long, performing in the cabaret tent, feels that politics and environmental messages have a strong root in Glastonbury.Josie Long, Comedian

Science as an Inspiration

Broadcaster and comedian Robin Ince incorporates a great deal of science into his comedy, quoting from Carl Sagan, Charles Darwin and Richard Feynman among others in his sets. I asked him if he felt that science could find a home at music festivals.Robin Ince, Comedian

Playing with Recyclables

Ben meets Mark and Lorraine - shipbuilders who used recycled plastics to produce the playship that dominates the childrens field...Mark and Lorraine Cann