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Ö÷²¥´óÐã Director-General Mark Thompson writes...

Science has shaped the modern world and, since the founding of the Ö÷²¥´óÐã, science has been at the heart of the schedule.

In the past two years, the Ö÷²¥´óÐã has retrieved archive footage of the Moon Landings, relaunched popular science on Ö÷²¥´óÐã One, and dedicated an entire day of Radio 4 programming to CERN's first attempt to recreate the Big Bang; all demonstrations of how important radio and television can be in commemorating moments of science in which the whole nation can share.

The statistics tell us that 67% of people in the UK get some of their knowledge and interest in science from television*, so we appreciate the role that the Ö÷²¥´óÐã has to play in making science accessible and impartial, for all our audiences across all platforms.

As we move further into the 21st century, science and technology become an increasingly critical force in British industry, making it more important than ever that the Ö÷²¥´óÐã plays its part in driving the next generation's passion and interest in science, technology and mathematics.

Working closely with industry, academics and scientists from around the world, our intention remains to keep the UK both scientifically literate and competitive.

As the Royal Society reaches its 350th year, this is an excellent moment for us to take stock and celebrate the science that we do.

As always the range of our science content is what makes the Ö÷²¥´óÐã unique – no other broadcaster produces so much science content, offering breadth and depth across TV, radio and online.

We have some outstanding science programmes this year. Highlights include notable series with Professor Robert Winston, Richard Dawkins, Dame Jocelyn Bell-Burnell and Melvyn Bragg; while Professor Martin Rees and Sir Terry Pratchett deliver the Reith and Dimbleby Lectures (broadcast by Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio 4 and Ö÷²¥´óÐã One, respectively) offering us fascinating discussions on contemporary issues of matters of science and health.

New series like Bang Goes The Theory, The Infinite Monkey Cage and Wallace And Gromit: World Of Invention offer us ample opportunity to demonstrate how engaging science can be.

On bbc.co.uk, Lab UK continues to partner with academics and institutions to develop groundbreaking scientific experiments that provide scientists with the opportunity to tap into the Ö÷²¥´óÐã's mass audience to further clinical research.

Plus, for the first time, we open up the science archives allowing us to track the progress of scientific developments through the years.

Here at the Ö÷²¥´óÐã, we're extremely excited about the chance to celebrate science and its contribution to the UK.

Mark Thompson

*2008 Public Attitudes to Science Survey: Research Councils UK (RCUK) and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS).