Businesses are being invited to take part in the highly-successful Big Bang fair at the University of Essex to inspire the next generation.

Now in its third year, the Big Bang fair brings together industry and hundreds of students aged 14-15 from Essex and Suffolk with a focus on showcasing STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) in a fun and engaging way.

The fair, on 15 December at the University’s Colchester Campus, is a great opportunity for businesses to show students how varied and interesting careers in science, technology, engineering and maths can be.

Businesses will have the chance to engage students in interactive workshops or run activities which challenge them to think differently about STEM subjects and what companies and organisations in the sector do.

There will also the popular employers' marketplace, where companies can talk to students individually as they explore the fair.

A number of high profile companies are already talking part, but there are still places left for other interested businesses. More than 25 companies took part in last year’s Big Bang including BT, Network Rail and BskyB.

Karen Gooch, from the University, who helped organise last year’s event said: “The Big Bang fair gives employers the opportunity to work with the University of Essex to fire the imaginations of 1,000 schoolchildren and their teachers about careers in STEM subjects.

“Employers say it’s a great opportunity to share their expertise with teachers, so that they can take back new developments to the classroom.”

Any companies interested in taking part should please contact the Big Bang event team by email: bigbang@essex.ac.uk.