Budding scientists take part in Big Bang fair

Budding scientists from 27 schools across Essex, Suffolk and London took part in the Big Bang fair at the University of Essex.

In partnership with Engineering UK, the fair showcased the wide range of career paths available in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.

Now in its sixth year, the Big Bang fair gave over 900 Year 9 students the opportunity to engage with local businesses, take part in interactive workshops and challenge themselves to think differently about STEM subjects.

Among the many external organisations taking part in the event were EDF Energy, Public Health England, GSK, Royal Navy, Institution of Civil Engineers, Zeelandia, Colchester Zoo, Royal Astronomical Society, National Space Academy, BT, Essex Wildlife Trust and Anglian Water.

This year’s theme was “Preserving the Planet” and students attended workshops including Bees, Bees, Bees - the impact of climate change, Science in the Wild, Space Innovation, Designing the perfect housing development and a Science Escape Room.

The fair was also an opportunity for academics to showcase new research from the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, School of Health and Social Care, Department of Psychology, School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, School of Life Sciences, and the Edge Hotel School.

Education Outreach Officer Jenna Gifford said: “This year’s Big Bang at the University of Essex was one of our largest, and we’re delighted that so many schools and students took part in the day.

"These sort of events can have such an impact on a student’s perspective in subjects that have such wide-ranging possibilities attached to them. For many of them this was a chance to see science, technology, engineering and maths in action.”