All About STEM NEWS

July 17th 2017

Big Bang North West 2017: Your Amazing Feedback!

WOW! We would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who supported, contributed and attended The Big Bang North West 2017. It truly was an amazing success and our BIGGEST and BEST to date!

We trended on Twitter during our live coverage of the event with over 100,000 interactions. Here’s just a selection of the sensational feedback we received…

Headline Sponsor: AstraZeneca – Simon Willocks
“What a fantastic day!! AstraZeneca were once again proud sponsors of the even bigger Big Bang North West for 2017…. the AstraZeneca STEM Team of over 40 Scientists, Engineers and Technical Subject Matter Experts from across the Northwest, provided an insight to our industry, demonstrating work place activities including Chemistry, Product Development, Engineering, Manufacturing and IT, explaining how the STEM subjects studied at school can contribute to career opportunities within an organisation that deliver life changing medicines. An inspiring event for all who attended and supported… congratulations to all involved!!”

Platinum-Plus Sponsor: Unilever – Glyn Roberts
“I was very proud to work for Unilever and with the people on this project… unbelievably rewarding. It was lovely to see two schools we had worked with as North West representatives for the National competition – a real watershed moment for all of us!

This photo speaks volumes, it gets bigger and better! It’s a privilege to work with you, you are those rare people who combine passion & purpose, with pragmatism, execution and good old fashioned fun. I cant wait to see what the class of 17 / 18 come up with, have a wonderful summer break when it arrives!”

Platinum Sponsor – Air Products: Lynn Willacy (Community/STEM Ambassador)
“Air Products were really excited to be/ have been a Platinum Sponsor this year. Our exhibition area looked amazing and the Science Ambassadors energy and enthusiasm for the event was great to see. Our stand was extremely busy all day the Science Ambassadors shared their knowledge and expertise and inspired the next generation of scientists and engineers. A huge thank you to them all for making the day a great success.”

Platinum Sponsor – Shaping Futures: Chris Bayes, Projects & Partnerships Manager
“Shaping Futures was delighted to act as Platinum Sponsor of the BBNW event. Many thanks to our partners who provided engaging, hands on exhibits which captured the imagination of the attendees. We look forward to continuing our partnership with All About STEM and working in partnership to deliver a series of STEM-sational events next year including a series of BB@ events taking place at campuses of our partner institutions.”

Show Stage Sponsor – Muir McDonald, Head of Resourcing – ScottishPower
“We’re very proud to have sponsored the Big Bang North West Show Stage as this is a fantastic event that inspires future generations to get involved in STEM. It was great to see so many young people get involved and experience STEM in a fun and engaging way.”

Construction Corner – Carillion Kier (Joint Venture)
“It was great to see that the event was attended by children of all age groups. The CKJV were able to offer a range of activities from dressing up in PPE for younger students, to finding out about designers in the world of motorway construction for older students. This is exactly what is needed to get children of the future interested and excited about STEM!” – CKJV Apprentice

Award Sponsor: Liverpool City Region Apprenticeship Hub
“Amazing…. such an inspiring and imaginative event! We were able to speak to lots of young people about their career choices and promote Apprenticeships as a strong and viable career option.”

Gold Plus Sponsor: Danielle Oakford, Engagement & Liaison Officer – Health Education England North West
“It was a pleasure to be part of and represent the Health Sector at Big Bang North West 2017. The atmosphere was fun and engaging and all of our exhibitors really enjoyed the experience. The young people we met during the day were full of enthusiasm and excitement – wanting to learn more about different career pathways within health; they took part in all of the activities that our stands had to offer. Big Bang North West was an excellent opportunity for us to help inspire our future health sector workforce; making the connection between what is being studied at school and how these subjects can come to life in the world of work.”

Silver Sponsor: Lindsey Smithson, Head of Site Strategy – ALSTOM
“Once Again The Big Bang North West and All About STEM deliver a fantastic show of strength on the STEM Agenda in the region. A fun, exciting and truly inspiring day for exhibitors and attendees alike. The team from Alstom were amazed at the numbers of Young People who attended and the skill and professionalism with which All About STEM managed to bring such an event to fruition.

The Big Bang North West is definitely worth putting in your diary for next year, but be sure to sign up early, if this year’s Force Majeure is anything to go by event space could well be limited!”

Silver Sponsor: Ryan Cooper, Graduate Process Engineer – Sellafield Ltd
“As the judges of this year’s innovation award, we were very impressed by the quality and creativeness shown in some of the projects on show. Back on the Sellafield Ltd activity stand it was great fun to answer some tough questions from the next generation of scientists and engineers. Particularly promising were the amount of students asking about our apprenticeship, industrial placement and graduate schemes.”

Tom Warrender – Medical Mavericks – ScottishPower Show Stage Performance
“Big Bang North West 2017 was TOTES AMAZE!!! There was so much to do and take part in. The students were in for a real treat and you could see how much they were enjoying it and engaging with all the brilliant STEM people on their stands.
We love coming to the event every year and the opportunity to inspire the next generation of medics & scientists is fantastic!”

Marty Jopson, Science Bloke – ScottishPower Show Stage Performance
“It was my very great privilege to be involved in BBNW 2017 and what a fantastically well organised and fun event it was. My shows were full of grinning faces and everywhere I went around the hall there were kids exploring STEM. I can’t wait to be back for more.”

Tom Gartrell, Museum of Science and Industry – ScottishPower Show Stage Performance
“I loved the Big Bang North West event! It was brilliant to see so many young people enjoying science and finding out new things. It was truly inspiring to see the STEM projects which students had developed – with people, ideas and enthusiasm like this, the future of science is looking up! It was really fun for us to share our Explosions Show from the Museum of Science and Industry with visitors – the audience clearly knew their science and were great at solving the mystery of the exploding railway warehouse, and they found the explosions exciting too!”

Ann Donaghey – Big Bang North West Volunteer
“It was a pleasure to be part of the team and I hope that among the visitors, there will be some inspired to pursue a STEM career and find their purpose.”

Lisa Shakeshaft – Commercial Manager, L & R Roadlines (Construction Corner)
“A most wonderful day, full of excitement, enthusiasm, inspiration and very rewarding. It has been a pleasure to support and promote STEM, we shall be there next year!”

Sandbach High D&T – School
“This is one of our favourite days out. Can’t wait for 2018!”

Calday Grange – School
“Our Year 8’s really enjoyed their morning at The Big Bang North West 2017. The team from All About STEM did an amazing job!”

Paul Corbishley – BBNW Volunteer
“Quote of the day by a primary school pupil at The Big Bang North West 2017: ‘I wish I had 8 million eyes to see it all’. Makes it all worthwhile.”

Childwall Valley Primary School
“Year 1 – 6 had a great time!”

Kate Birkenhead – Jaguar Land Rover
“Well done to you all, BBNW2017 went really well and you all worked very hard to make it happen. We’re really pleased with how our activities were received!”

Laura Hobson, Compliance Manager – Veolia
“I had a fabulous time helping out so thank you for letting me be involved. It was a great event and I would have loved to have experienced something like it as a child.”

Julia Hunt, Senior Modeller – WSP
“I really enjoyed the day! I felt honoured to be volunteering! I’m sure the event inspired lots of the children, it’s certainly inspired me!”

Lindsey Smithson – ALSTOM
“A huge THANK YOU for your help support and guidance for today’s event. I am not sure we deserved so much assistance, but you were true and inspirational professionals yet again ! I hope the day was as successful and enjoyable as you hoped it would be and that you are all basking in the after-glow of a job well-done! Until next time!”

Meryl Jameson – Catalyst Discovery Centre
“Firstly, congratulations on a fantastic Big Bang event – the whole All About STEM team did a great job to make it great success again this year. I noticed it trending on Twitter so that was brilliant!”

Mike Halliday – Science 2 U
“It was an absolutely fantastic day!”

Alex Bryan – United Utilities
“What a brilliant event!”

Jayne Goss – Farm Urban
“Just wanted to say thanks so much for a great day on Tuesday! We all really enjoyed it and as a first-timer I was just blown away by the scale of the event!”

Inspiring Careers NW
“The Big Bang North West 2017: Fantastic to see so many students enjoying themselves and gaining lots of inspiration about STEM! Inspiring young people…”

Gemma Davis – BBNW Volunteer
“Helping out at The Big Bang North West today was a privilege, it’s important to have female representatives at a STEM event. All About STEM looked after us volunteers really well so thank you for a really well organised, safe & fun event!”

Discover Shift
“Fantastic to see so many kids engaging in tech, STEM, STEAM, art, design & digital!”

Canon Slade School – Science
“Great day at The Big Bang North West in Liverpool!”

Birkenhead School
“So many children with smiles about Science. What an opportunity to meet Scientists and experiment. Well done The Big Bang North West!”

Liverpool Girl Geeks
“WE LOVE The Big Bang North West! You get to inspire so many young people to consider careers in STEM. Our future…

LCR Life Science
“Incredible to be at The Big Bang North West in Liverpool – inspiring STEM event for children & employers.”

Mosspits Primary‏
“Year 6 loved their day out at The Big Bang North West Science Fair! Science is great!”

Freyssinet Ltd‏
“Brilliant day at The Big Bang North West in Liverpool with Kier & Carillion. Great to see so many young people engaged & excited about STEM!”

Amanda Follit – amaze
“All About STEM do a really cracking job & The Big Bang North West is a pinnacle of it!”

Helsby High School
“Our students had a fantastic time at The Big Bang North West!”

Mally Davison – Air Products
“Absolutely loved helping out on the stand today inspiring tomorrow’s engineers and scientists.”

Liverpool John Moores University – Chemistry 4 All
“We had the BEST day!”

St Nicholas School
“Thank so to all at The Big Bang North West – We had a great time visiting this afternoon and learned lots!”

St Marks School – Halewood
“What an awe inspiring day! Year 5 couldn’t get enough of The Big Bang North West ! Same again next year hopefully… immersed in science!”

Louise Ford Johnson Biologist
“Well done for a brilliant event inspiring the next generation of STEM researchers.”

Millom School
“Our staff and students at Millom School had a fantastic time!”

The Bridge Short Stay School
“Great day out for our students at The Big Bang North West yesterday. Inspired!”

Albion Academy
“Fascinating stuff!”

Natasha Hopley
“Fascinating stuff at The Big Bang North West!”

CNC Robotics
“Well done The Big Bang North West for a great event. Inspiring engineering…”

John Flaherty – Executive Director of Place at Knowsley Council
“Absolutely brilliant! It will get bigger & better connecting parents, carers & young people to the magic within the classroom & workplace.

Claire James – External Account Manager, West Region (Air Products)
“The Big Bang North West was a fantastic event to be involved in, the enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge from the children who attended was brilliant. Many commented on us having the best stand there, they were amazed by the science demonstrations, MAP packaging, Quiz and Hydrogen car as well as the virtual welder, all of which I hope has encouraged these children to continue to be involved with STEM subjects and maybe even be one of our engineers in the future. Brilliant day I cannot wait for next year!”

Danielle Tucker – Agent Support & Stock, Team Captain (Air Products)
“Great to see the kids getting involved in STEM activities! We had a great time showing the students the exciting side of Air Products! Fantastic day for everyone involved!”

Keith Farrall – BDM West Region (Air Products)
“The Big Bang is a fantastic event, and an opportunity to see the enthusiasm and passion from our future engineers is really infectious, a great day listening to 11 to 17 year olds is very rewarding, a great achievement for the young engineer of the year.”

Dave Henshall – UKI Technical Specialist (Air Products)
“I really enjoyed the day meeting students and teachers, ranging from KS1 to mature students, they all asked interesting and searching questions about how we produced Industrial Gasses, and how they are used in everyday life, Food, Industry & Health Care. The younger students were really interested in the Food Packaging Gas, how food stays fresher for longer i.e. Crisps, and of course the famous LIN Experiment’s, which in line with the event created the “Big Bang” atmosphere… “

Kate O’Brien – Team Captain, Customer Services Team (Air Products)
“I came away from the day and I could not stop talking to everyone about it. (If someone would listen, I was going to tell them).
The activities we (and the event in general) had for the students were exciting. They were interactive and you could see the student’s enthusiasm with what was going on during the day. I was impressed by the thirst for knowledge from the students, and they already knew so much more than I expected. There were a lot of smiles and excited faces that day and you could feel the excitement buzzing around the room. The people running the event, and those who were running the stands were passionate about what they were talking about, and they were willing to give their time to explain (even to me) what they did within the Science Technology Engineering and Maths world. You could tell everyone was there for the same reason – to inspire young people.”

Lawrence Hatfield – Driver Trainer (Air Products)
“It was good to see the children of today interacting with practical knowledge through person to person interaction instead of watching it demonstrated on their tablet or phone. One small boy of about 9 yrs old asked me if he could buy some nitrogen to keep under his bed in a bucket. I asked what he would use it for, he told me with great delight he would freeze spiders and then leave them in his big sister’s bed. Technology may change but human behaviour will always stay the same, especially when it comes to big sisters.

Nicola Park – Customer Engineering Manager, Competition Judge (Air Products)
“We reviewed a fantastic selection of school and college projects, the enthusiasm from the students was great to see. Engineering is all about problem solving and trying ideas to get the best solution, the projects all exhibited these elements. I liked the innovative ideas the teams had come up with.”

Keith Farrall – BDM West Region, Competition Judge (Air Products)
“The Big Bang is a fantastic event, and an opportunity to see the enthusiasm and passion from our future engineers is really infectious, a great day listening to 11 to 17 year olds is very rewarding, a great achievement for the young engineer of the year.

Construction Corner – Big Bang North West (Primary School attendee)
“To reduce the lean on the Leaning Tower of Pisa from 6 degrees to 4 degrees, you need to install air conditioning!”

Construction Corner – Jacobs STEM Ambassador
“The children made some really serious attempts at solving the problems. Very stimulating… tiring… great fun! Really worthwhile!”

Volunteer Feedback:

Ann Donaghey
Christopher Lees
Murray Brown

Online News:

Video:

Big Bang North West 2017: The Movie!
Innovation Agency at The Big Bang North West

The Big Bang North West 2017: A STEM-sational Success with Schools!
Headline Sponsor: AstraZeneca Inspire All at The Big Bang North West
Official Gallery: The Big Bang North West 2017
Big Bang North West 2017: The Movie!
Go Virtual with The Big Bang North West!
The Big Bang North West 2017: Your Amazing Feedback
The Big Bang UK Competition: Finalists & Award Winners!
Big Bang North West 2017: A Teacher’s View

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Selena Ledgerton Web, Media & Marketing Manager e: [email protected]