Over 400 students in Grimsby and Rugby took part in a free Big Bang on Location event in November
Students got involved with hands-on activities and workshops to help them explore careers in renewable energy and chemical engineering.
Big Bang on Location is a new pilot event, designed to inspire young people with interactions with STEM role models, in collaboration with sector experts and industry leading organisations.
The first event, in partnership with renewable energy experts Orsted and RWE, took place on 4 November at Grimsby Town Hall. The day provided students with the chance to meet inspiring role models from the local energy industry and learn about exciting possibilities in STEM and gain valuable insights into potential career paths.
This event provided a unique opportunity for young people in the area to discover the importance of renewable energy and the crucial role it plays in shaping the future.
Teachers attending the event in Grimsby noted how the event helped bring STEM to life: "It’s a place when pupils can see links between different STEM applications as well as a solid link for global warming and climate change".
A second Big Bang on Location event took place on 14 November in partnership with The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE). The event was hosted at the IChemE office in Rugby during Tomorrow’s Engineers Week 2024 and focused on careers in chemical engineering and attracted a range of students from local schools.
Students got the chance to do hands-on activities and learn more about the diverse career opportunities within chemical engineering and engage with members from the IChemE who kindly volunteered their time to inspire young people about potential future career paths in STEM. Rugby MP John Slinger (Lab) and Mayor of Rugby, Cllr Simon Ward, attended to show support for the event.
Students in Rugby commented: "I liked talking to people at the different workshops, hearing what they do and why they chose their career.”
A female student said, "I can see how it's about more than just making small projects... the day showed how the experiments and creations are applied at huge scale in the real world.”
We would like to thank everyone who was able to make Big Bang on Location a success, including Orsted, RWE, IChemE and the STEM professionals and organisations who were able to showcase exciting careers to the young people attending.
I can see how it's about more than just making small projects... the day showed how the experiments and creations are applied at huge scale in the real world.
— Student
