Dr Karl loves the tricky questions. Australia’s favourite scientist faced his toughest audience when he bought science to the kids at Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital.

Jessica Riga reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Why bring chocolates or teddies to a hospital when you can bring Karl?

Patients at the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital got the opportunity to get up close and personal with Australia’s favourite doctor.

While chilling out on bean bags, some of the most inquisitive minds got the chance to pick at one of the most knowledgeable.

From debunking questions on why the sky is blue, to discussing if he thinks aliens exist, Dr Karl was on hand to answer every inquiry.

And he proved a hit with his young audience particularly Max Bishop who’s recovering from a liver transplant.

Max Bishop: “He was so smart that you could ask him anything and he would have the answer like that. You just couldn’t ask him a question he didn’t know.”

Before he became our best known scientist, Dr Karl used to work in a children’s hospital.

He says both parents and their kids need support and a break from reality.

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, Scientist: “If you can give something light and entertaining, me, for a little while to keep them happy, I’m very happy to be part of that package.”

This is just one stop on Dr Karl’s list of appearances at World Science Festival Brisbane. But for the kids here in hospital, it’s made a world of difference.

Dr Karl will investigate more burning questions in Extreme Moments in Science on Saturday.

Jessica Riga, QUT News.