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The Big Bang @ Discovery Park - 2017

 March 17 2017 | Kent & Medway | Views: 1899

The Big Bang was a FREE day-long education event organised by Kent & Medway STEM, (part of Canterbury Christ Church University) took place on Friday, March 17 2017, at Discovery Park, with the aim of inspiring a love of STEM subjects.

The format of the day covers three main areas (Science, Engineering and Space zones) in the dropping zone with over 25 dropping areas and also over 10 workshops lasting 20 to 50 minutes. This allowed every student had a range of ‘hands-on’ experiences including interactive exhibits and workshops, talks run by STEM Ambassadors from local companies and organisations.

Over a 1000 students enjoyed the day’s activities and every students attended a 60 minute show on the ‘Elements at Work’, looking at a fascinating collection of substances that make up all the chemistry we are involved with!

Over a 1000 students enjoyed the day’s activities, which included:

  • Plastic injection moulding
  • Neutrons at work – exploring the science of nuclear energy
  • Agility challenge - a test of perception, agility and speed.
  • Medicine making – with balloons as replica molecules
  • Making waves with Math’s (and a water tank)
  • Battle of the Minds: The Evolution of Brain Size Through Time
  • Chemiluminescent Glow Sticks
  • Astronomy and our nearest Stars
  • Floating fluids: learn about density and the skill of using a manual pipette
  • Exploring the life sciences in health applications: “hands on” experience of pathology diagnostics in use today in hospital laboratories.
  • Investigating Medical Imaging: Demonstrating an Ultrasound machine and showing students how it works and how it is used in imaging the human body.
  • Looking at the science applied in the intensive production of tomatoes, and sampling the fruit itself!
  • Building rollercoasters with the aid of a packet of Maltesers
  • Forensic investigation, showing students how to collect evidence and the basics of identification and elimination.
  • 3D printing, based around Bloodhound SSC’s unique steering wheel!

And many more!
So there was plenty going on to fire the imagination and to reconsider pre-conceived ideas of STEM subjects.
Those hosting exhibits and workshops included Pfizer, Science Giants Ltd, BioProNet, Thermo Fisher, National Grid, EDF Energy, BAE Systems, Instrutec Controls Ltd, The Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, The Wild Wood Trust, The University of Kent, Space Ambassadors, The University of Greenwich, Canterbury Christ Church University, East Kent College, Health Education England, Sekisui Diagnostics Ltd, ARES UK, Mid-Kent Astronomical Society, Monkton Stargazers, Delphi and A Pearson Growers.

The feedback from the students and teachers attending

  • “It fascinated and caught their imagination which flames their desire to study hard & achieve well. It showed them that sort of stuff is not just for boys and it is fun too! It was relaxed and allowed students to explore themselves and also they had the opportunity to ask their own questions to many different STEM Ambassadors.”
    Teacher From Highsted Grammar
  • “superb interaction/hands on STEM ambassadors giving direction and information…made them more aware of the opportunities. Excited! Thinking about STEM in a different way.”
    Homewood School Teacher
  • “I feel it probably helped them realise just how many STEM careers and subjects there are. Definitely more aware!”
    Science Teacher Ursuline College
  • “The range of applications of science presented at the drop-in zone would have raised their awareness of where science can take you and that it is not only the classic subjects (maths, biology, chemistry & physycs) that it is more diverse than that.”
    Fortpitt Grammar School

The feedback from the STEM Ambassadors when they were asked: In what ways did this event have an impact on pupils understanding of STEM subjects and careers?

  • “Gave a wide variety of choices and options within STEM careers. Students seemed fascinated by all the potential future avenues”
  • “chance to try new things, find out about applications of science, future careers and courses students could do”
  • “Great hands on activities – giving students opportunities to learn about subjects not covered in the curriculum”
  • “showed them how science is in their everyday lives and make them aware of how many different and interesting jobs there are in STEM”
  • “…the event helped the students see a different phase of engineering.
  • … encouraged them to take a more problem-solving approach to scientific experiments rather than seeking the right answer! Challenged some misconceptions!

Feedback from Students:

  • “I enjoyed all the activities; we have done because they were really fun. I also loved the robot part because it was interesting. Thank you”
  • “I enjoyed this because everyone was friendly and we could get involved. Also they made learning fun. Thank you “

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Report from Ursuline College, Westgate on-sea

On Friday 17th March, a group of year 9 pupils attended The Big Bang Fair at Discovery Park, Sandwich with the Science department.

The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair is the largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) for young people in the UK.

It is an award-winning combination of exciting theatre shows, interactive workshops and exhibits and careers information from STEM professionals. The aim of the fair was to show pupils the exciting and rewarding opportunities out there for them with the right experience and qualifications and, to bring classroom learning to life through interactive shows and activities.

Our pupils watched an interactive chemistry show about elements; a lively, colourful and explosive show! They also took part in a hands-on insect activity where they handled moth larvae and looked at the effects of temperature on their activity.

Pupils were also able to spend some time visiting LOTS of stands promoting STEM careers, chat to STEM ambassadors and try out lots of mini-activities to get a flavour of the many careers they could venture into.

Ursuline pupils behaved and engaged impeccably and it was noted that we were the ONLY school in Thanet to attend the event!


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