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In the 8th series of Bang Goes The Thoery, Jem, Liz and Maggie investigate more weird and wonderful science stories, including the science to beat flu, a day in the life of the National Grid, The Big Data Revolution, treatment for cancer, our ailling Railways, can we avoid ageing, the technology to mitigate risk from flooding, and the science of disaster relief – and much more. Take a look at our episode-by-episode guide below.
We also have some follow-up articles elaborating on these topics, as we delve inside the science. And don't forget, if something sparks your interest, you can take your learning journey further with an OU course, or, if you just have a point to make or fancy an online debate, you can add a comment at the bottom of any our pages.
Episode guide
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woodleywonderworks | Flickr under Creative-Commons license
Bang Goes The Theory 8: Episode 1 - Energy
This week the Bang teams looks at energy - how close Britain might get to running out of electricity?
Read nowBang Goes The Theory 8: Episode 1 - EnergyArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Abhijith Ar | Dreamstime.com under Creative-Commons license
Bang Goes the Theory 8: Episode 2 - Cancer
This week the Bang team investigates if the tide is beginning to turn on cancer.
Read nowBang Goes the Theory 8: Episode 2 - CancerArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Copyright: Eimantas Buzas | Dreamstime.com
Bang Goes the Theory 8: Episode 3 - Big Data
This week on Bang: How is Big Data changing our world and how safe is our data?
Read nowBang Goes the Theory 8: Episode 3 - Big DataArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Copyright: Tyler Olson | Dreamstime.com
Bang Goes the Theory 8: Episode 4 - Ageing
On this week's programme, Bang team looks at the ill effects of old age.
Read nowBang Goes the Theory 8: Episode 4 - AgeingArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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By mcfarlandmo via Flickr under Creative Commons license under Creative-Commons license
Bang Goes the Theory 8: Episode 5 - Flu
This week Bang team investigates how flu attacks us and the vaccines that will protect us next winter.
Read nowBang Goes the Theory 8: Episode 5 - FluArticle
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Cheltenham Borough Council under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 licence under Creative-Commons license
Bang Goes the Theory 8: Episode 6 - Flooding
On this week's programme, Bang team takes a closer look at the recent floods - are we to blame?
Read nowBang Goes the Theory 8: Episode 6 - FloodingArticle
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JohnGreyTurner under CC-BY-NC-ND licence under Creative-Commons license
Bang Goes the Theory 8: Episode 7 - Trains
This week, Bang team examines if our ageing railways system can cope with the increasing demand.
Read nowBang Goes the Theory 8: Episode 7 - TrainsArticle
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DVIDS | Flickr under Creative-Commons license
Bang Goes the Theory 8: Episode 8 - Disaster Relief
The last episode in the series looks at the problems the humanitarian community faces when tackling a disaster.
Read nowBang Goes the Theory 8: Episode 8 - Disaster ReliefArticle
Get involved with Bang
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Take the Bang challenges
Can you use your scientific knowledge and know-how to get the Bang! team out a series of sticky situations?
Read nowTake the Bang challengesArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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Bang challenge: Help Liz break through the rocks
Trapped behind layers of rock, can you use your knowledge of fossils to set Liz free?
Take part nowBang challenge: Help Liz break through the rocksActivity
Level: 1 Introductory
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Bang Goes The Theory: Meet our scientists
Meet some of the The Open University experts who helped the Bang! team put science to the test.
Read nowBang Goes The Theory: Meet our scientistsArticle
Level: 1 Introductory
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The Moon
As the only planetary body everyone is familiar with seeing in the sky, the Moon has long been an object of fascination and speculation. This free course will teach you about the nearest planetary body to Earth: the missions to the Moon, the basic facts of its composition, the cratering on its surface, and the ancient eruptions that flooded many low-lying areas.
Learn moreThe MoonFree course
6 hours
Level: 1 Introductory
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Copyright: Jmarijs | Dreamstime.com
Like science? See our short courses
Interested finding out more about which science course is right for you? The Science faculty offer a series of introductory short courses that can be a good starting point for your study and offer you flexibility.
Read moreLike science? See our short courses
Previously on Bang
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OU on the BBC: Bang Goes The Theory 7
Find out what the team have been investigating in series 7 of Bang Goes The Theory from 2013.
Read nowOU on the BBC: Bang Goes The Theory 7Article
Level: 1 Introductory
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OU on the BBC: Bang Goes The Theory 6
Bang reaches its sixth series—catch up on all the episodes and related OpenLearn content here
Read nowOU on the BBC: Bang Goes The Theory 6Article
Level: 1 Introductory
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OU on the BBC: Bang Goes The Theory 5
More weird and wonderful science from Bang Goes The Theory Series 5: including why we haven't yet cured cancer, turning scrap into gold, measuring the earth's circumference with a couple of sticks, a memory boot camp, a potential global helium shortage, nuclear power - and much more.
Read nowOU on the BBC: Bang Goes The Theory 5Article
Level: 1 Introductory
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OU on the BBC: Bang Goes The Theory 4
Series 4 of Bang Goes The Theory gives us more weird and wonderful science - amongst the topics are a look at the Japanese superquake and tsunami of March 2011, IVF, a 1000mph car and can you cure allergies by eating worms?
Read nowOU on the BBC: Bang Goes The Theory 4Article
Level: 1 Introductory
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OU on the BBC: Bang Goes The Theory 3
Bang Goes The Theory will be bursting back onto our screens very soon. The team will be getting hands on with more weird and wonderful science, including a square-wheeled bike and a boat made of ice - watch out British Rail!
Read nowOU on the BBC: Bang Goes The Theory 3Article
Level: 1 Introductory
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OU on the BBC: Bang Goes The Theory 2
With challenges galore, Bang Goes The Theory - the show that takes an unexpected look at science - returns for a second series.
Read nowOU on the BBC: Bang Goes The Theory 2Article
Level: 1 Introductory
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OU on the BBC: Bang Goes The Theory 1
From human power stations to optical illusions - join us for an entirely new way of looking at science with the first series of Bang Goes The Theory.
Read nowOU on the BBC: Bang Goes The Theory 1Article
Level: 1 Introductory
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