The Big Bang Fair - update on what's happening
Monday 5 January 2009
The national finals of the CREST Awards (managed by the British Science Association), Young Engineers for Britain, and the National Science Competition will be taking place at the Big Bang Fair (4-6th March).
As well as the chance for students to compete for some amazing and prestigious prizes, the fair will feature exciting shows, fun workshops, displays and demonstrations of leading-edge UK technology, and inspiring careers information.
This event is also the kick off to National Science and Engineering Week – a national celebration of science, engineering and technology that sees families, schools, adults and children taking part in thousands of events across the country.
Below is some information about what you can expect when you walk through the doors of the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre venue. To find out more, including how you can get involved, visit the Big Bang Fair website.
Theatre Shows
On Wednesday The Big Bang will open with Science Made Simple, who will be showing their highly acclaimed ‘Visualise’ show; a mix of physical theatre, live science demonstrations, projected images and music. The ‘technoclowns’ use everyday objects in unexpected ways, using their mastery of the laws of physics to create a world of wordless mystery.
‘Darwin’s Worms’ will tell the story of Darwin’s fascination with worms; he used to lay them out on his billiard table and ask his children to play the bassoon and the piano to them and then study their reactions. It should be a fascinating insight into Darwin in 2009, the 200th anniversary of his birth.
Thursday will see the Science Museum's ‘Punk Science’ team take a sideways look at the science behind climate change featuring comedy, live audience demonstrations, experiments, voting and music; while BAE Systems will amaze visitors with a demonstration of autonomy and robotics; and ActionDog will feature Wellcome Trust funded projects on ‘Making art from science’, which will include a spectacular fashion show.
The Royal Institution will also feature on Thursday; their celebrated, demonstration-packed, show will highlight the significant contributions of British scientists that have worked at the Royal Institution and the implications of the discoveries and inventions made.
The Big Bang will close on Friday with the acclaimed ‘NOISE Science Cabaret’, lively demonstrations, audience participation and entertaining explanations covering a range of science topics with their own unique style; ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ will reveal the science behind David Beckham’s football skills. Presenter demonstrations, volunteer interaction and computer modelling will show how science and technology relates to modern football.
Workshops
The Big Bang will also feature numerous exciting hands on activities for young people.
Andrew Jeffrey, a professional magician, will explore the power of the human mind in, ‘Your Magical Mind’, a magical act that will lead to laughter and amazement in equal measure.
The National Institute for Medical Research, will be bringing CSI from Miami to Mill Hill with ‘CSI: Murder on Mill Hill’, a fascinating demonstration of the science behind DNA fingerprinting. Using DNA models and DNA analysis equipment, students will have the opportunity to make DNA fingerprints in order to solve a murder mystery.
From Shell comes ‘The Future of Motoring’, where students will look at eco-designs and the implications faced by MEGA-CITIES in overcoming future transport challenges.
‘Impact – the death of the dinosaurs’, will explore the theory that a massive impact from an asteroid or comet killed off the dinosaurs, and many other species, about 65 million years ago. This workshop will allow students to handle real meteorites (including samples from the Moon and Mars) and dinosaur fossils, study real impact craters using the Internet, and even create their own ‘virtual impact craters’ using specially designed software.
‘Me, Myself and I’, from the Royal Horticultural Society, will showcase their Growing Lab Workshop and show students how plants produce clones in the wild and how they can produce their own clones at home.
Exhibitions and Careers
The Big Bang will also feature a range of exhibits to inspire students to consider a career in science, technology, engineering and/or maths.
Competitions Element
The Big Bang will of course feature the project work of entrants for the National Science Competition, CREST Awards and Young Engineers for Britain, showcasing the talents of UK students and enabling them to compete for a number of prizes. Two stars will emerge from the National Science Competition: the first ever UK Young Scientist of the Year and UK Young Technologist of the Year.
The national finals of the CREST Awards (managed by the British Science Association), Young Engineers for Britain, and the National Science Competition will be taking place at the Big Bang Fair (4-6th March).
As well as the chance for students to compete for some amazing and prestigious prizes, the fair will feature exciting shows, fun workshops, displays and demonstrations of leading-edge UK technology, and inspiring careers information.
This event is also the kick off to National Science and Engineering Week – a national celebration of science, engineering and technology that sees families, schools, adults and children taking part in thousands of events across the country.
Below is some information about what you can expect when you walk through the doors of the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre venue. To find out more, including how you can get involved, visit the Big Bang Fair website.
Theatre Shows
On Wednesday The Big Bang will open with Science Made Simple, who will be showing their highly acclaimed ‘Visualise’ show; a mix of physical theatre, live science demonstrations, projected images and music. The ‘technoclowns’ use everyday objects in unexpected ways, using their mastery of the laws of physics to create a world of wordless mystery.
‘Darwin’s Worms’ will tell the story of Darwin’s fascination with worms; he used to lay them out on his billiard table and ask his children to play the bassoon and the piano to them and then study their reactions. It should be a fascinating insight into Darwin in 2009, the 200th anniversary of his birth.
Thursday will see the Science Museum's ‘Punk Science’ team take a sideways look at the science behind climate change featuring comedy, live audience demonstrations, experiments, voting and music; while BAE Systems will amaze visitors with a demonstration of autonomy and robotics; and ActionDog will feature Wellcome Trust funded projects on ‘Making art from science’, which will include a spectacular fashion show.
The Royal Institution will also feature on Thursday; their celebrated, demonstration-packed, show will highlight the significant contributions of British scientists that have worked at the Royal Institution and the implications of the discoveries and inventions made.
The Big Bang will close on Friday with the acclaimed ‘NOISE Science Cabaret’, lively demonstrations, audience participation and entertaining explanations covering a range of science topics with their own unique style; ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ will reveal the science behind David Beckham’s football skills. Presenter demonstrations, volunteer interaction and computer modelling will show how science and technology relates to modern football.
Workshops
The Big Bang will also feature numerous exciting hands on activities for young people.
Andrew Jeffrey, a professional magician, will explore the power of the human mind in, ‘Your Magical Mind’, a magical act that will lead to laughter and amazement in equal measure.
The National Institute for Medical Research, will be bringing CSI from Miami to Mill Hill with ‘CSI: Murder on Mill Hill’, a fascinating demonstration of the science behind DNA fingerprinting. Using DNA models and DNA analysis equipment, students will have the opportunity to make DNA fingerprints in order to solve a murder mystery.
From Shell comes ‘The Future of Motoring’, where students will look at eco-designs and the implications faced by MEGA-CITIES in overcoming future transport challenges.
‘Impact – the death of the dinosaurs’, will explore the theory that a massive impact from an asteroid or comet killed off the dinosaurs, and many other species, about 65 million years ago. This workshop will allow students to handle real meteorites (including samples from the Moon and Mars) and dinosaur fossils, study real impact craters using the Internet, and even create their own ‘virtual impact craters’ using specially designed software.
‘Me, Myself and I’, from the Royal Horticultural Society, will showcase their Growing Lab Workshop and show students how plants produce clones in the wild and how they can produce their own clones at home.
Exhibitions and Careers
The Big Bang will also feature a range of exhibits to inspire students to consider a career in science, technology, engineering and/or maths.
Competitions Element
The Big Bang will of course feature the project work of entrants for the National Science Competition, CREST Awards and Young Engineers for Britain, showcasing the talents of UK students and enabling them to compete for a number of prizes. Two stars will emerge from the National Science Competition: the first ever UK Young Scientist of the Year and UK Young Technologist of the Year.
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