Five scientists, led by host Kate Humble, are challenged to put their collective scientific knowledge to practical use. Transported to isolated locations, they are presented with a series of tasks, with two notable restrictions: they must complete their work within three days and, with the exception of a rudimentary tool kit, must use only indigenous materials. The first six episodes find Mike Bullivant (chemist), Jonathan Hare (physicist), Ellen McCallie (botanist), Kathy Sykes (physicist) and Mike Leahy (virologist) on the Caribbean island of Carriacou. The last four programs place Mike Bullivant, Vanessa Griffiths, Jonathan Hare, Mike Leahy and Anna Lewington on Capraia, a similarly isolated Mediterranean island.