The Big Bang: UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair
Building on successful events in 2009 and 2010, The Big Bang: UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair 2011 took place at ICC, London ExCeL from 10-12 March. Over three days, The Fair saw around 29,000 visitors including schoolchildren, families, teachers and lecturers.
The Big Bang 2011 brought together 150 different organisations with the shared aim of inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers, and represented an unparalleled partnership between Government, education, industry and the wider science and engineering communities. Demonstrating the Government’s support for the programme, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Vince Cable, was among a number of constituency MPs and senior civil servants to visit The Fair.
The Fair hosts the finals of the National Science & Engineering Competition, which this year saw several hundred young people compete for a range of prizes, including the UK Young Scientist and UK Young Engineer of the Year. Big Bang ambassador, Professor Brian Cox OBE, and National STEM Careers Coordinator, Dr Kate Bellingham, presented the awards show, with supporting acts by Sky One’s Brainiac Live!
Hannah Eastwood from Loreto College in Coleraine was awarded UK Young Scientist of the Year and is the first girl to be awarded a senior title in the Competition. Her project explores how chromium can be removed from drinking water in order to purify tap water and reclaim it for the steel industry where it is a valuable resource.
Hannah said: “I’m still in shock but so thrilled. This is an unbelievable opportunity to be an ambassador for science and to inspire young people. I’d encourage all young people to take part in next year’s National Science & Engineering Competition as it’s such a great opportunity.”
Andrew Cowan from Sutton Grammar School for Boys is the only competitor to have won a prize in each age category across three years of the Competition. Following his previous successes in the Junior and Intermediate categories, this year Andrew was awarded the accolade of UK Young Engineer of the Year for his Search and Rescue Robot.
Andrew said: “The news is still sinking in but I’m extremely honoured and proud to be awarded such a prestigious title. The standard of entries was so high which made the finals incredibly tense at times. I’m now really looking forward to representing engineering for young people and I hope my project inspires lots of other people to do the same and pursue a career in engineering.”
Paul Jackson, Chief Executive of EngineeringUK, said: “The Big Bang goes from strength to strength and its third year has been the biggest and best yet. The Fair is all about inspiring young people to consider a career in science or engineering, and it works. Not only do the young people who visit have a great time but our early evaluation of the 2011 event backs the results we found last year that young people who attend the Fair are more likely to choose a career that will require a qualification in science, technology, engineering or maths and view careers in science and engineering more positively as a result of their visit. Without a doubt, The Big Bang is winning hearts and changing minds!”
The Big Bang is much more than a one off event; it’s a year-round conversation with young people, their parents and teachers. Big Bang Regional Fairs take place around the country in the summer and provide an opportunity for more young people to experience close to home the excitement and opportunities available through science, technology, engineering and maths.
The Big Bang 2012 will take place from 15-17 March at the NEC in Birmingham and promises to be bigger again. To find out more about The Big Bang and how to take part in a Fair near you go to www.thebigbangfair.co.uk.
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thebigbang4u.
For further information about The Fair, please contact Jeremy Buckle.
See video hightlights of The Big Bang below
