The Big Bang UK Young Scientists and Engineering Fair is an annual event designed to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths careers to young people.
To grow visitor numbers by building on last year's successes.
Solution
The Big Bang 2011 took place at London ExCeL over 3 days with Grass Roots delivering all creative and technical production services as well as delegate management.
It consisted of a large exhibition floor with over 100 activity and sponsor stands grouped by topic into seven zones.
It also included the finals of the prestigious National Science & Engineering Competition, Sky's Brainiac Live! and BBC's Bang Goes the Theory.
The team created an educational environment packed with gadgets, goo, experiments, explosions & workshops to fascinate and stimulate interest in STEM in a fun, inspirational and interactive way. This involved:
Designing an exhibition area allowing visitors to circulate freely.
Managing all presentations and sponsors, 122 exhibitors, 2 headline shows, 28 workshops and theatres.
Providing pre-event information and on-site briefings.
Developing and managing The National Awards Ceremony, including 168 competitors for the National Science and Engineering Competition.
Ensuring sufficient provision was made for delegates with disabilities.
Results
The Big Bang was highly successful – meeting all its targets, despite the tightening in budget in 2011.
Over 29,000 people visited, over a 70% increase on 2010's attendance.
When 5-11 year olds were asked at the event how much they had learned about science and engineering by coming to The Big Bang, 71% said they had learned "a lot".
When asked at the event, 74% of boys and 81% of girls aged 12-19 said that the visit to The Big Bang had changed their view of engineering either "slightly more" or "much more" positively.
