In high school, what was Félix-Antoine Tremblay’s favorite subject? Biology ? Chemistry ? Physics ? “I really liked French,” replies, at the risk of surprising you, the host of the new youth program on ICI Télé and ICI Explora.
“I wasn’t great at science,” he recalls, sitting at a picnic table.
Why then did you agree to host Curium, which deals with scientific subjects? “Basically, I am a curious person who is interested in people and the world around him,” says the man who can also be seen in the fall at the helm of the shows Fridays ODon Noovo, and Ideas of grandeur in my backyardat Canal Vie.
Mushroom…
In CuriumFélix-Antoine Tremblay discusses with “luminaries in their field” who answer all his questions on various subjects, such as adrenaline, means of transport of the future, climate change or even… cats.
Au fil des tournages des 26 épisodes de 30 minutes, l’animateur a réalisé que « la science est partout autour de nous : dans la technologie, dans la nature, dans l’humain, dans les infrastructures »… « Ça va vraiment loin ! »
Avec son équipe, il a d’ailleurs parcouru le Québec pour aller à la rencontre d’hommes et de femmes de science, « des gens extraordinaires », précise-t-il.
Un lieu l’a-t-il marqué ? « Je suis allé à Kamouraska avec des scientifiques qui étudient les champignons et ça m’a vraiment subjugué. […] I learned that there are aquatic fungi that can clean up the oceans. I discovered that there are certain mushrooms that can help us build houses. Eventually, we could make bricks out of mushrooms,” enthuses the man who has discovered an unsuspected interest in science.
…to the corpses
“We also went to visit a corpse farm,” he continues.
“A corpse farm? », we repeat, both surprised and slightly disgusted.
Yes yes. We heard of course. The secure outdoor research site, located in the Bécancour region, accommodates animal corpses, as well as human corpses. For filming, they only had access to the first section, explains Félix-Antoine Tremblay.
The presence of certain insects or plants gives clues about the state of decomposition of the body. This is what the researchers working there study. “They do this to help the scientific police, for example,” explains the host who did not think that such a place existed in Quebec.
Félix-Antoine Tremblay is also very grateful that he and his team were able to film in certain locations that are normally difficult to access. How does he explain the welcome they received?
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Félix-Antoine Tremblay
I think we’re doing well by doing a science show for young people. Wanting to educate young people is touching.
Félix-Antoine Tremblay
He also highlights the incredible work of the show’s research team, the content of which is “extremely advanced”, according to him. “It’s really designed for young people who are already introduced to science. We’re not going to mix baking soda and vinegar,” he promises.
“ Curium is one of the biggest budget youth programs ever made for Radio-Canada. There’s a lot of love in there. […] I believe it has the power to bring everyone together in front of their screens and make more people love science than we think. »
Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. on ICI Télé and at 6 p.m. on ICI Explora. The first 13 episodes are also available on ICI Tou.tv Extra.
Three questions inspired by science
1. The greatest scientific discovery of recent years? ” It is [le télescope] James Webb. […] It fascinates me enormously, what’s happening up there, and it makes me dizzy. I think that this invention will really be part of our century in a monumental way. »
2. If you were an inventor, what would you like to create? “It’s flat, but a time machine. […] I will return in some years to ask questions […] and warn people of what is coming. »
3. The biggest challenge that scientists will face in the coming years? “Misinformation, unfortunately. […] We must have scientists and media who provide us with reliable sources and I hope that Curium fits in there. It’s disturbing to see how some people believe everything they are told without scientific basis. »