#scienceontv

Maybe. However, most science topics and science facts used in the sitcom are not meant to educate or inform. Scientific statements from the characters are used to highlight their nerdiness and contrast themselves to the non-scientists on the show. 

I was curious, though, if the show might at least spark people’s interest in science topics: if they do not understand the science the show is talking about, would they go and look it up?

I consulted google trends to confirm whether people googled in response to the show, specifically when two distinct scientific concepts (the Doppler Effect and Schroedinger’s Cat) were mentioned. And to my surprise, I found a spike in search term popularity immediately after the episodes mentioning those concepts (in the US).  

So maybe people do really get curious by the show and are inspired to go online and learn about science. 

(taken from my thesis paper, see https://support.google.com/trends/answer/4355164 for more info)

Field /// Biology (bio-engineering)

Known for /// Dr. Caitlin is an expert medic, a computer specialist and trained neurosurgeon.

Personal life /// Widowed American woman in her late 20s. Dr. Snow has no kids. Little is known about her hobbies. 

Personality /// Genius-type scientist and hero-sidekick. Dr. Snow is very compassionate. 

Field /// Physics

Known for /// Dr. Faraday is the youngest doctor to ever graduate from Oxford University and he became an Oxford professor at the age of 19. He conducted unauthorized experiments time-transported consciousness. 

Personal life  /// Gifted scientists in his late 20s.  However, Dr. Faraday has an even greater passion for music, however, his parents forced him to go into science instead of music. He is a single man. 

Personality /// Brilliant scientist-type with some mad-schietist tendencies. Dr. Faraday is struggling with interpersonal relationships, however, is very polite.  Some of his experiments can be considered as amoral and unsafe. 

Field /// English

Known for /// Little is known about his academic career.

Personal life /// Gay British college professor in his 50s living in LA. 

Personality /// Falconer is a depressed and suicidal man. He never overcame the loss of his lover and is ever since silently suffering and hiding his true emotions (and his homosexuality) in his daily routine.  

Field /// Physics (nuclear physics and engineering)

Known for /// Otto Octavius holds a PhD in nuclear science, he is a brilliant engineer and inventor. Dr. Octavius invented a set of highly advanced mechanical arms controlled via a brain–computer interface.  

Personal life /// Single American man, presumably in his 50s. Dr. Octavius’ is the son of an abusive father and a domineering mother.  He was bullied in school and is still generally disliked.  

Personality /// Mad-scientist-type and supervillain. Dr. Octavius is a brilliant engineer and strategist and strong leader.  

Field /// Physics

Known for /// Murphy Cooper is a scientist at NASA. She discovered how to manipulate gravity. This technology was crucial for sending off huge space station from a dying earth, thus guaranteeing the survival of humanity.

Personal life /// American woman in her 30s. Cooper is dating a colleague from work. She will have children and grandchildren. 

Personality /// Hero-type scientist. Cooper has a strong drive to discover the unknown. She is very open to  looking for answers anywhere, also in what seems to be unscientific areas (e.g. paranormal phenomenon). 

Field /// Inventor 

Known for /// Alec Sadler is a brilliant young techie that grows up to be the founder and CEO of the largest tech corporation. Among many things, he invented a device for time travelling. 

Personal life /// Young Canadian man (age 20). Alec Sadler has a girlfriend.  He spents all of his free time working on his inventions. 

Personality /// Introverted genius-type. Sadler is loyal and caring. Some of his actions are morally questionable. He is known to sacrifice human lives for his cause (which is believed to be a good cause).