The West Midlands region is seeking to de-mystify science projects following the launch of a new video-on-demand online channel ideasforlife.tv.
The website is broadcasting science based films from around Birmingham, featuring topics as wide ranging as transport, medicine and health, energy, materials science, and digital media.
Films such as Fast Forward, a competition between three local schools to build an eco-racing car, which has proved successful at engaging young people with modern technologies, is one feature.
The channel has also followed the progress of a team of six digital delegates from the West Midlands who attended last week's South by Southwest Interactive Media Festival in Austin, Texas.
Films documenting their experiences can be found on the homepage, and feature reactions to the keynote speech given by Mark Zuckerberg, the 23-year-old chief executive of Facebook.
The website is the brainchild of the University of Warwick and Maverick Television and is supported by the regional development agency, Advantage West Midlands.
As part of the initiative, the channel will also be hosting a conference Using Digital Media in Marketing and Communications highlighting how small and medium sized enterprises in the West Midlands can take advantage of the medium.
Anthony Lilley, chief creative officer of Magic Lantern, Dr Jon Salkeld, managing director of QinetiQ's Optronics Division and Dr Adam Rutherford, editor of web publishing at Nature will be the keynote speakers at the conference that will take place at Alton Towers on March 18.
Science and Innovation Minister and Labour MP for Dudley South, Ian Pearson, welcomed the new channel saying: "Ideasforlife.tv is a great forum for communication and an innovative solution to the key issue of making science and technology accessible to all.
"The UK has long had an enviable reputation for leading the world in terms of innovation and the West Midlands has played a big part in that story.
"It is clearly continuing to do so!" Sole traders and SMEs (with up to 250 employees) based in the West Midlands can attend the conference for free by completing an application form prior to the event.
For further information email events@ideasforlife.tv or visit www.ideasforlife.tv.
