Articles
Members of the IMechE are passionate about inspiring the next generation of engineers. Indeed, the active support by the institution for high-profile educational initiatives that will promote careers in engineering remains the number-one priority for members.
The institution is committed to investing time and resources to support engineering education events, and was therefore pleased once again to sponsor the Big Bang Fair during National Science and Engineering Week, and to have worked with Bloodhound to acquire a scale model of the supersonic car which is already helping to inspire children around the UK.
The Big Bang is the largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) for young people in the UK. Its aim is to introduce young people to the stimulating and rewarding career opportunities open to them if they have Stem backgrounds, and, in turn, to the contribution that they can make to the UK economy and global society.
The Big Bang Fair – the flagship event during National Science and Engineering Week – took place at the NEC in Birmingham on 15-17 March. It proved the most successful since the fair’s inception in 2009. A record number of registrations – 56,000 – were received from young people, teachers and parents, and more than 150 organisations from the science, technology, engineering and maths community participated.
The institution was represented at the Big Bang Fair by dedicated volunteers, its education and volunteer executives, and through its key education partners: the Smallpeice Trust, Bloodhound SSC and Primary Engineer.
Bloodhound was one of the outstanding exhibitors of the show, represented in the Special Features Zone. The Smallpeice Trust teamed up with the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board and exhibited in the Go Global area which highlighted global challenges that the next generation of scientists and engineers will be hoping to solve. Students had the opportunity to get hands-on in an exercise to build a wind-turbine mast to power a model village.
Primary Engineer exhibited at the Education Show, which ran in parallel to Big Bang Fair at the NEC. Its range of resources for schools was featured, and parents and young people were given details about how to get involved with Primary Engineer, Secondary Engineer and the Leaders Award for Stem. Primary Engineer volunteers on the stand also gave out information about primary and secondary Bloodhound SSC resources and links to the institution.
Throughout the event, a careers networking service enabled 11-19-year-old pupils and students in further or higher education to have the opportunity to ask questions of scientists and engineers. This activity was run in a speed-dating style format where students were given a few minutes to put questions to volunteers. Students could work in pairs and spoke to 6-8 ambassadors during a 45-minute session. Ambassadors were encouraged to bring with them an object that served to provoke often lively questions and discussion.
As part of the networking event, literature was showcased for a brand-new careers project targeting under-16s, which was a joint collaboration between the IMechE and other engineering institutions. The literature, which included six postcards, a flyer and a poster featuring IMechE Undergraduate Visionary Philip Deakin, has been specially designed to engage the under-16s and introduce them to the exciting prospects that careers in engineering can offer.
The Big Bang Fair also hosted the finals of the National Science and Engineering Competition. Open to all 11-18-year-olds living in the UK and in full-time education, the competition rewards students who have achieved excellence in a
Stem project.
Vince Cable, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, and the science minister David Willetts, both supported the Big Bang Fair. Cable said: “Scientists and engineers are vital for national success. They will develop the tools and technologies necessary for economic prosperity and sustainable living. We estimate that the UK will need over 2 million engineers over the next 5-10 years, so it is vital that we inspire the next generation.
“Therefore, it is very encouraging that the Big Bang Fair has attracted record registrations. Young people who have reached the final of the National Science and Engineering Competition represent the best and brightest young talent from around the country.
“The government is doing everything it can to increase that pool of talent so the UK can look to the future with confidence and optimism.”
