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Reality TV has reached new heights with ‘Stars of Science,’ billed as the first Arab TV show that turns science and technology ideas into reality.
16 aspiring Arab innovators are competing to have their ideas selected for further development and commercialization. The Qatari show allows viewers to see the innovation process “from idea to launch,” according to the show’s Web site.
The winner receives $300,000 and support to market his or her idea; the runner-up receives $100,000.
Like a typical reality show, the contestants live and work together under constant video surveillance. Each week a three-member jury of experts eliminates half of the projects, but in an unusual twist the eliminated innovators join one of the remaining teams, until only two teams remain.
The public will select the winning team by voting via phone and text message. The final episode airs live from Doha on June 26.
The 16 ideas include a way for people to watch two different programs on the same television simultaneously (using an external device and smart goggles), a device that can automatically tune any Arabic string instrument, a way to control a wheel chair by converting brain activity into motion commands and an underwater device that captures and stores wave energy and converts it into power.
The show received 5600 applications from “young innovators of Arab origin living across the globe.” Casting occurred in 22 Arab countries. A committee invited 100 applicants to pitch their ideas to the Stars of Science jury, who selected 16 people to compete on the show. Each of the 16 own the sole rights to his or her innovation ideas. “The program does not have any commercial objectives,” according to the Web site.
The 16 contestants, ranging in age from 22 to 31, include two women, from Bahrain and Algeria. The other contestants are from Qatar, Syria, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Sudan and Saudi Arabia. There are two contestants each from Lebanon, Palestine and Tunisia.
‘Stars of Science’ is produced by the Qatar Foundation and will be broadcast by public and private TV stations throughout the Arab world. Founded in 1995 by the Emir of Qatar, the foundation supports education, scientific research and community development. Its goal is to make Qatar “a leader in innovative education and research.”
Why would a promising young scientist leave the lab to spend a year working for the United States government? Daniel Gorelick is here at the State Department trying to figure that out.
Comments (1)
sdefrawi
Location: http://www.zizinya.com
July 4, 2009 at 00:59 EDT
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This is a great concept. I find it hard to believe that the finalists include a way to control wheelchairs with brain waves, and goggles that allow you to watch two tv shows at the same time. Hmmm. Seems like a no brainer!