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
We will update this page when registrations for 2020 go live!
Contact us
Email BigBang@cswgroup.co.uk
Tel 01392 215 501
Follow us on twitter @TBB_SouthWest
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 exhibiting? Information will be available soon.
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.
Sponsors
Thank you everyone who sponsored us for The Big Bang Fair South West 2019, we hope to welcome you in 2020!
Headline Sponsor
Flybe is Europe’s largest regional airline and flies more UK domestic flights than any other airline – 53% of all UK flights within mainland Britain (excluding London). Flybe currently operates 187 routes serving 11 countries from 71 departure points in the UK and Europe* and is the largest scheduled airline by air traffic movements at Aberdeen, Belfast City, Birmingham, Cardiff, Doncaster Sheffield, Exeter, Glasgow, Isle of Man, Jersey, Manchester, Newquay and Southampton airports**. Flybe operates a fleet of 76 aircraft – 54 Bombardier Q400, 6 Embraer E195, 11 E175 & 5 ATR 72s and was recognised as the most punctual UK-based airline (8th in Europe) in FlightGlobal’s annual On-Time Performance Awards (Jan’19) and shared top spot in the Which? ‘Best and Worst Airlines 2019’ report in the Short Haul Category (Jan’19)
*Flown under the Flybe brand including all routes on sale Apr 2019 – Oct 2019
**Source: CAA Aug ‘18
Platinum Sponsors
Meet LEGO Education SPIKE Prime and get hands-on with this brand new STEAM learning tool for year 7-9 pupils as part of experiencing the full LEGO Education continuum
LEGO Education offers hands-on, cross-curricular STEAM solutions for early learning, primary and secondary education, competitions, and after-school programmes. Through curriculum relevant and real world related projects we engage the youngest pupils just beginning to make sense of the world around them, through to teaching design engineering principles to advanced learners, developing critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration at all levels. LEGO Education engages students natural curiosity and helps them develop skills and confidence for their future careers.
The force behind the armed forces, we are a highly specialised part of the Ministry of Defence. From the procurement of clothes to carriers, food to fighter jets, we ensure our UK military customers – the Royal Navy, the British Army and the Royal Air Force – have the equipment and support they need to carry out their duties effectively.
Building Greater Exeter and Building Plymouth work collaboratively, bringing together the public sector with the construction and built environment sectors to promote the vast range of career opportunities within the industry, which includes over 180 different job roles. The Construction Zone at Big Bang 2019 will provide an interactive and inspirational space for young people to explore the opportunities available to them within construction and the built environment, including; architecture and design, professional services, construction trades and many more!
Gold Sponsors
Engineering is in our DNA. Babcock provides skilled, bespoke engineering services. We work in highly regulated environments managing complex assets for both defence and civil customers.
We maintain, upgrade, operate and manage expensive infrastructure and essential equipment for a range of government bodies and private sector customers in the UK and internationally. We provide them with better capability, reliability and availability of their critical assets.
We are a trusted partner who understands the critical role that our customers’ assets and infrastructure play in delivering their business; we share risk with them in delivering innovation and efficiency, and we share the benefits.
Exeter Science Park Limited is the result of a vision to develop a Science Park at Exeter, to facilitate the growth of innovative, fast-growing STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medical) companies that exploit world-class research, create high-value jobs, attract and retain talent, and drive enhanced productivity and economic growth. ESPL’s mission is to support innovation STEMM companies to deliver extraordinary growth. A Gateway Policy is used to maintain this focus. ESPL hosts STEMM companies in state-of-the-art facilities, mentors them for growth, and connects them to an innovation ecosystem that includes professional service firms and investors.
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.
Silver Sponsors
At BAE Systems, we help our customers to stay ahead when protecting people and national security, critical infrastructure and vital information. We provide some of the world’s most advanced technology in the air, sea, land and cyber space. We employ a skilled workforce of 83,200 people in over 40 countries
Just Eat operates a leading global hybrid marketplace for online food delivery. Founded in Denmark in 2001, Just Eat has grown from an ambitious crew of 15 to a passionate team of more than 3,600, all focused on our mission to serve the world’s greatest menu. Brilliantly. Headquartered in London, we use proprietary technology to offer a quick and efficient digital ordering service for over 26 million customers and more than 100,000 restaurant partners across the UK, Australia & New Zealand, Canada, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Spain, Switzerland and Brazil.
Click here to read Just Eat’s Spotlight on!
Optometry – there’s much more to it than meets the eye
Discover a world of opportunities with Specsavers. Specsavers is a Partnership of nearly 2,000 locally-run businesses, committed to delivering high quality, affordable optical and hearing care in the communities they serve. If you’re thinking about a career that’s challenging, rewarding and makes the most of your STEM skills, with opportunities to earn good money and work with cutting-edge technology then come and talk to Specsavers, and start seeing things differently. Visit www.acareerwithaview & https://jobs.specsavers.co.uk/
Spirent’s Promise of Inspiring the Next Generation.
Using our diverse workforce to support, encourage and inspire the next generation in their STEM journey.
With over 20 locations around the world, Spirent offers great career opportunities to driven, dedicated and enthusiastic workers in a range of different fields–from engineering to marketing. To find out more about becoming a part of the team that tests and evaluates the world’s leading communications systems, visit our website spirent.com/careers
TDK-Lambda UK is a unit of the TDK Corporation a leading global electronics company. TDK-Lambda UK was established in 1959 and is now Britain’s largest manufacturer of standard and configurable power supplies. Ilfracombe, in the South West of England, is our European Head Office and Manufacturing centre. People are at the heart of our business and are encouraged to develop their skills so that they can make a real contribution to our ongoing success. Visit www.uk.tdk-lambda.com/careers for more information.
Teachers’ Lounge Sponsors
NCS, a youth development programme for all 16 and 17 year olds. Part-residential, focused around fun and discovery, with 30 hours committed to a local community project. Young people work in diverse teams, building skills for work and life, taking on exciting challenges, making new friends, and contributing to their community in the holidays. Government funding means they pay no more than £50, which covers all food, transport and accommodation, though bursaries are available for those unable to meet the cost. Visit https://www.ncsyes.co.uk/ and click SIGN UP. Or call 0800 197 8010 to hear further about the bursaries on offer.
2019 Exhibitors…
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