The Big Bang is a national programme which celebrates Science Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers. We deliver the programme across the South West region hosting several events throughout the year to inspire young people and showcase STEM employers from the region. In the last three years we have reached over 39,000 young people.
Our flagship event, The Big Bang Fair South West is the largest regional celebration of STEM careers. The Big Bang Fair South West 2019 hosted a range of exciting elements under one roof including; a show stage featuring engaging live science shows, a range of hands on activities from the most prominent STEM employers across the region, interactive workshops and the chance to find out about STEM career opportunities. The event is open to primary, secondary and home schooled children.
The event also celebrates and recognises student’s STEM projects. During the day we will host the South West regional heats of The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition, culminating in a glittering awards ceremony, with the winners progressing on to the national finals the following March at the NEC, Birmingham. A range of other STEM innovation awards are on offer too looking at things like communication, creativity and digital skills.
This event is free to attend.
Registrations
Contact us
Email BigBang@cswgroup.co.uk
Tel 01392 215 501
Follow us on twitter @TBB_SouthWest
Sponsoring and Exhibiting at the Big Bang South West Regional Fair
Are you a business that works with Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths (STEM)?
Do you want fantastic exposure to the next generation of STEM brilliance?
Our regional event gives students the opportunity to see what their futures could hold through inspirational interactive exhibits from a variety of dynamic and innovative businesses like yours.
Be part of something big – Inspire, Invigorate and Get Excited!
Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting? Check out our opportunities pack here.
Alternatively, email bigbang@cswgroup.co.uk or phone us on 01392 215501
The Big Bang Competition
Whether it’s a brand new project, or has been completed as part of another competition, all science, technology, engineering and maths projects are welcome. The Big Bang Competition is open to all 11-18-year olds in full-time education or training. Through the process of undertaking a project, we want them to build on and develop their skills and gain confidence and enthusiasm to take their journey with STEM even further.
Why enter?
- Allow young people to explore an area of interest and develop independent learning skills
- Compete for over £20,000 worth of amazing prizes, including the chance to be crowned GSK UK Young Engineer or GSK UK Young Scientist of the Year
- Opportunities to network with like-minded peers and STEM employers
- Boost profile of achievement on UCAS form or college application
How to get started
The project can be on any topic in the field of STEM and the options are limitless! Here are some particularly intriguing science project titles we’ve had over the years:
- What is a bird’s favourite colour?
- Should we trust artificial intelligence with our lives?
- How well do we wash our hands?
We’ve also seen many brilliant engineering inventions and designs entered into the Competition and these ideas often stem from where a student has spotted a problem in their community or even in their own homes that they want to try and tackle – be it reducing waste or improving disabled accessibility.
Find out more in The Big Bang Competition Get Started Guide.
2020 Sponsors
Headline Sponsors
Specsavers
Optical Group is a global retailer, which operates in ten countries including in the UK, Ireland, Australasia, Spain and northern Europe. The group of over 2000 individual businesses offers optical and audiology services and sells glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses. It also sells hearing products.
Platinum Sponsors
“The Construction and Built Environment Zone” supported by Building Greater Exeter and Building Plymouth
Building Plymouth is a council-led partnership that connects local people with career opportunities in the varied world of construction and the built environment in Plymouth. With over 10,000 jobs needed in the city over the next five years, Building Plymouth aims to match employers with a highly skilled workforce to transform the city and beyond.
Building Greater Exeter is focussed on supporting the construction sector across Exeter, East Devon and Teignbridge to address the skills and recruitment challenges it faces. Building Greater Exeter is designed to support the construction sector to meet its skilled labour requirements, now, and in the future.
Gold Sponsors
Babcock
Babcock is a leading provider of critical, complex engineering services which support national defence, save lives and protect communities. Bacock are partnered with the UK Government in 2018 to promote STEM careers and inspire the next generation of engineers. By joining activities, initiatives and events across the country our focus throughout the year was to change common perceptions about working in engineering and encourage more young people into STEM.
UK Hydrographic Office
The UK Hydrographic Office is a leading centre for hydrography, providing marine geospatial data to inform maritime decisions. We work with a wide range of data suppliers and partners to support maritime navigation, safety, security and marine development around the UK and worldwide.
As a digital-first organisation, we are looking to attract talented individuals interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, focussing on the marine environment. We retain and nurture our staff in a wide range of careers from hydrography and marine science to data science and software development.
2020 Exhibitors
Argans Ltd
ASM Assembly Systems
Babock
BAM Nuttall
Bournemouth University
Building Greater Exeter
Building Plymouth
City College Plymouth
Dartmoor Zoological Park
Devon County Council
Environment Agency
Hinkley Point C Project
Institution of Civil Engineers
Numatic International
Space Odyssey
Specsavers
The Focus Training Group
The VRVE
Trinity School
University of South Wales
Wessex Archaeology
Click to see who attended the Big Bang South West 2019
Space and Aerospace
Space Odyssey
BAE Systems
University of Exeter – Research ‘Worms in Space’
Construction and the Built Environment
Building Plymouth and Build Exeter
BAM Nuttal
Aecom
Institution of Civil Engineers
Hinkley Point C
Engineering and Manufacturing
WSP Group
TDK Lambda
BD
Kinneir Dufort
Plymouth Citybus
Army
Arconic
SC Group
Ministry of Defence
Lego Education
ASM Assembly Systems
Health and Science
Medical Mavericks
SW Health Care Science Trainee Network
Specsavers
Institute of Physics
University of Exeter – Physics
Exeter Science Park
Met Office
Royal Society of Chemistry
NHS
University of Bristol – Faculty of Science
Trinity School STEM Buskets
Badminton School Science Outreach Team
Devon Air Ambulance
Pfizer
Careers and Pathways
CSW Group
NCS Trust
Truro and Penwith College
Exeter College
University South Wales
Focus Training
Bridgwater College
Gatsby
Next Steps South West
Cornerstone Teaching School
Exeter Mathematics School
University of Exeter
Marine, Energy and the Environment
Babcock
EDF Energy
Wessex Archaeology
Devon Bright Beautiful Marine Life
Environment Agency
Plastic Oceans
Royal Navy
CEFAS
361 Energy
National Marine Aquarium
Food and Agri Tech
Just Eat
Yeo Valley
Rothamsted Research
Digital, Tech and Creative
Bluefruit
Cosmic
Argans
Spirent
UKHO
Reach Robotics
Bournemouth University
Plymouth College of Art
Dreamscape VR
Software Cornwall
No Isolation
Bodmin College in partnership with 3D Printing Company
SM Assembly Systems
Gooch and Housego
Pong Rewired
Cyber Futures
The Big Bang @ Weston
We will be celebrating STEM by the sea in Weston Super Mare. For a third year running Big Bang @ Weston hosts a range of exciting hands on activities from the most prominent STEM employers across the region all under one roof at the Winter Gardens on the sea front.
Please click here to find out more about the Big Bang @ Weston
