Andrew Maynard is a scientist and emerging technology adviser. He blogs at 2020 Science and tweets as @2020science.

Some of the most entertaining, informative and mind-blowing science videos on the web come from TED – the Technology, Entertainment, Design conference. Challenged to give the “talk of their lives,” the world’s top scientists and science communicators have been dazzling audiences – many of whom are thought leaders, trend-setters and entertainers - for years now. Most of the best talks are now freely available on the internet, but sifting through hundreds of video clips to find the real gems can be hard going.

To make things easier, here are five of my favorite TED Talks on science. The selection rules were simple:

- Was I engaged within the first few seconds? - Was I entertained, inspired and challenged? - Would my kids understand the talk? and - Together, do they tell a story?

1. Crochet coral and complex math







What on earth do coral, complex mathematics and the craft of crochet have in common? Plenty, according to science writer Margaret Wertheim, who shows how crocheting a “coral reef” can help make sense of some really tricky math, while drawing attention to distressed coral reefs around the world. Stunningly inventive.

2. Beyond Evolution - Engineering Biology







Four billion years of evolution have led to organisms that can reproduce, survive the harshest environments, and convert simple chemicals into complex ones. Tapping into this “natural technology” is an engineer’s dream – but is it possible? Genomics pioneer and science maverick Craig Venter says it is. Venter envisions a future where we program biology the way we program computers now.

3. Life On Mars?







Is there life on other planets? If there is, how would we find it? Controversial, eloquent, thoroughly engaging, Penelope Boston talks about the possibility of finding life on Mars and elsewhere in the Solar System.

4. Recreating the Universe’s Beginnings







Why are scientists so excited about smashing subatomic particles together at near-light velocities? Physicist and ex rock-star Brian Cox explains why the Large Hadron Collider in Europe – part of the largest physics experiment in history – is far more than an extra in Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons. Okay so I’m a fellow physicist, but I still found Brian’s talk stunning.

5. Is this our last century?







Finally, the big picture. Sir Martin Reese – Astronomer Royal, President of the Royal Society and author of the book Our Final Hour – presents an expansive perspective on humanity’s place in the universe, and asks what our future might hold.

These five TED talks on science tell a story about the complexity of the universe and our place in it. And they do it with panache – no boring science lectures here! What’s more, there’s plenty more where they came from. If you have other favorite TED science talks, please feel free to share them in the comments.

See also: 13 Twits Who Will Change Your Perspective on Reality

Image courtesy of iStockphoto, enot-poloskon