Scientists frequently encounter voids within science – empty spaces in their knowledge. Usually they attempt to fill these gaps in their understanding, but now one scientist is trying to cross a 2.5 metre void…all in the name of entertainment.
Tomorrow evening sees the launch of a brand new science-entertainment programme on BBC One: ‘Bang Goes the Theory’. Exploring the world’s most exciting scientific breakthroughs, it aims to inspire the public through the use of scientific experiments. Travelling around the world the team of four presenters are planning to test ideas from a range of fields including geology and neuropsychology.
The BGTT team, (L-R): Dallas, Liz, Yan and Jem
In keeping with its title, the show aims to start with a bang. Tuesday evening sees a high-tech ‘science stunt’ aired live on tv between The One Show (1900hrs) and EastEnders (1930hrs) on BBC One. Nicknamed ‘The Big Contraption’ the stunt will see Dr Yan Wong, one of the presenters, propelled across a 2.5 metre void. After online voting by the public Dr Wong will cross the void using magnetism, a Van de Graaf generator, fireworks propelled through water and, if the BBGT’s official blog is anything to go by, a giant bunny. This feature of public voting will carry on throughout the series and the producers have announced that there will also be many interactive resources and free events (organised in conjunction with the Open University who are also co-producers), including a London roadshow in the not too distant future – although exact details for this are currently under tight wraps.
Part of ‘The Big Contraption’ which will be unveiled live on Tuesday evening. More preview photos of BGTT can be viewed on Nature Networks’ Flickr account here.
However, the BBC team involved in this latest science programme are keen to stress that their new project is distinct from the pop-sci show Brainiac, the successful brainchild of Sky television.
The BBC team told me that “it is true that BGTT will incorporate experiments and visual demonstrations into programming, but they will be secondary to the exploration of topics and theories. The programme will not put fun ahead of good science (although we’re sure that some of the show moments will turn out to be quite amusing).”
They also added that “the production team will apply their extensive expert knowledge (ranging from those passionate about science to PhDs) by explaining science subjects to a broad audience that is interested in gaining a better understanding of the world around them. BGTT is also about participation and interaction and will be backed by the website offering further information on scientific theories raised by the programme.”
The programme certainly looks to be a step in the right direction towards improved public engagement, whilst also a welcome opportunity to return science to the prime BBC channel.
Make sure you tune in tomorrow evening for The Big Contraption live on BBC One and then again from 29th July for the 10-show series. Also keep reading this blog for details as soon as they emerge on the subsequent London roadshow.