Hadleigh High School pupils at one of the Big Bang stands

Budding scientists from across Essex and Suffolk took part in the Big Bang fair at the University of Essex’s Colchester Campus.

The fair, organised in partnership with Engineering UK, showcased the exciting opportunities offered by science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM subjects) to nearly 900 Year 9 and 10 students from 29 schools in Essex and Suffolk.

Now in its third year, the Big Bang fair also offered the chance for businesses to engage 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 organisations taking part were Suitcase TV, who showed students how to control a live videoing stream using touchscreen and Essex Wildlife Trust who allowed students to investigate natural objects with a digital microscope.

Lucy Murray, Head of Outreach at the University of Essex, said: “We were delighted to host the Big Bang fair for the third year running as part of our outreach program. The event is an excellent opportunity to bring employers and young people together to inspire students about the wealth of career opportunities open to them in science, technology, engineering and maths. 

“The Big Bang fair was also a great chance for employers to share their expertise with teachers, so that they can take back new developments to the classroom and show how the subjects they learn in school can be used.” 

Big Bang is the UK’s largest celebration of STEM subjects for young people in the UK.

The University of Essex’s excellence in science research will also on display with a demonstration of cow-tracking technology which showed how maths can help improve dairy cow welfare.