Can You Inspire the Scientists and Engineers of Tomorrow?

In honour of British Science Week, a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair is taking place from Wednesday 13 March to Saturday 16 March 2019 at the NEC, Birmingham. The Big Bang Fair is the largest celebration of STEM for young people in the UK, running across 3 schooldays and 1 family day (Saturday).

What’s On

The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair is a free event designed to encourage young people to consider a career in the science and engineering sector. Aimed at ages 7 to 19, The Big Bang Fair brings classroom learning to life and provides an insight into the importance of STEM in today’s world.

Attended by engineers and scientists from some of the UK’s biggest companies, the Fair features workshops, live demonstrations, shows and much more. With an emphasis on working in science and engineering, there is a dedicated space, named the Career Cabin, where guests can listen to the real-life experiences of professionals and pioneers within this diverse field. 

Taking place in Halls 17-20 at the NEC, Birmingham, the event maps out a journey of discovery. Guests can explore the exhibition and develop their understanding of science and engineering, including how experiments at school translate to the work place and the important research projects that take place every day. 

Workshop and event topics at the Big Bang Fair include:

• A career with a view

• Space and science space domes 

• Powering the future

• Technicians make it happen

Inspiring Future Generations 

With a severe shortage of science teachers in the UK education system, the demand for future generations to seriously consider science and technology as a career path is greater than ever. As highlighted in this BBC article, there are particular problems with recruiting specialist teachers in science and maths based subjects in England. In 2018, the number of teachers in England was at its lowest since 2013 with skills shortages being a predominant concern.

A career as a science teacher is a hugely rewarding and varied role, from getting hands-on with practical experiments to exploring theories and helping to develop students’ awareness of the world around them. Plus, nothing can beat seeing that ‘light-bulb moment’ when you help a pupil to understand something they were previously struggling with.

With several different routes into becoming a teacher, including school-based routes such as School Direct, School-Centred Initial Teacher Training and Tech First, and university-based routes including PGCEs and Undergraduate ITT courses, there’s a pathway to suit everyone. Take a look at this blog post to find out more. 

Are the next generation of science and maths teachers sitting in your classroom? Attending free educational events such as The Big Bang Fair is an excellent way to get your students to see science in a new light and discover how professionals who work in this diverse field shape the world around us. 

Find out more about The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair 2019 here.

Wondering what different routes are available after school to help you land your dream job? Find out more in our recent blog “Life After School – What Route Can I Take?”