Engineering Leader Helps To Inspire New Generation Of Scientists And Engineers

The Big Bang (UK Young Scientists & Engineers) Fair, which this year takes place at the NEC, Birmingham from 13 – 16 March, is the largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) for young people in the UK (primarily aged 7 to 19), and aims to highlight the many exciting and rewarding opportunities available with the right experience and qualifications.

At the fair, visitors will experience a wide range of entertaining theatre shows and interactive exhibits, as well as having the opportunity to meet some of the country's leading scientists and engineers.

In sponsoring the Big Bang Fair, Renishaw is continuing its commitment to raising awareness surrounding Engineering as a career. The Company's Education Liaison Executive, Julie Collins, explains, “It is increasingly important that we encourage young people to study subjects that will give them the qualifications that they will require for an interesting and rewarding career in engineering and science. Events like the Big Bang Fair really help to spark the interest of young people and inspire them to keep studying STEM subjects.”

This year the Renishaw stand will feature a Renishaw Equator gauging system, enabling young people and their teachers to interact with measurement machinery rarely seen outside of an industrial facility. Visitors will be encouraged to directly control the machine with the aim of navigating a 3 dimensional maze in the shortest amount of time; a prize will be given for the fastest time each day.

In 2013, the Big Bang Fair hosted 65,000 visitors of all ages, who both enjoyed and learned from their experiences. The organisers reported that over 76% of 12 – 14 year olds viewed engineering more positively as a result of their visit. Renishaw is working with education establishments and national skills providers to both promote the importance of STEM subjects and careers in science and engineering to help combat the nationwide shortage of skilled individuals.

The Big Bang Fair is delivered by over 170 organisations from the public, private and voluntary sectors, including EngineeringUK, the British Science Associate and the Institute of Physics. Booking is now available online at http://www.thebigbangfair.co.uk.