Big Bang fair inspires the workforce of the future

More than 900 budding scientists from 30 schools across Essex and Suffolk took part in the Big Bang fair at our Colchester Campus.

Organised in partnership with Engineering UK, the fair showcased the wide range of opportunities offered in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.

Now in its fifth year, the Big Bang fair also offered the chance for businesses to engage Year 9 students in interactive workshops and activities, challenging them to think differently about STEM subjects and explain what companies and organisations in the sector do.

Among the many external organisations taking part in the event were EDF Energy, TeaBoy Games, the RAF, Royal Navy, Institution of Civil Engineers, Royal Society of Biology,  Zeelandia, Colchester Zoo, Royal Astronomical Society, National Space Academy and Anglian Water.

In keeping with this year’s theme “Important Discoveries in STEM” the fair also featured a wealth of different activities and workshops for the students to get involved with including taking blood from a model rat, meeting the University’s Pepper robot, interactive maths puzzles, seeing 3D printing in action, racing robots, designing the perfect housing development and an interactive tour of the solar system.

The fair was also an opportunity for academics from the University’s Department of Mathematical Sciences, School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, School of Health and Social Care, Department of Psychology, School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences and the School of Biological Sciences to showcase some of their research.

Education Outreach Officer Sarah Kelleway said: “This year’s Big Bang at the University of Essex was our biggest since 2014, and we’re delighted that so many schools and students took part in the day. The event provides excellent insight into the wide-ranging opportunities that exist in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths, encouraging students to see these subjects beyond the classroom at such a critical stage of their education.

“We’re so grateful to the many exhibitors and workshop providers who gave their time and energy to make the event what it was, and we now look forward to planning an even bigger Big Bang next year.”