Update: Volunteer registration is now closed.
Thank you to the hundreds of you who have signed up this year. It's going to be great!
Launched in 2009, The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair is the UK’s biggest single celebration of science and engineering for young people and aims to celebrate and inspire them.
In Manchester in 2010, 22,500 young people came with their teachers and families to explore all that science and engineering has to offer.
In London in 2011, that number rose to 29,000, and this year we expect 35,000 visitors to Birmingham's NEC!
Without our volunteers, The Big Bang Fair would not be the sensation it has become, and we are once again seeking motivated, enthusiastic people to help us put on the best show we can!
These pages will show you some of the roles volunteers will fill, and will tell you a bit about volunteering for us. If you are interested in assisting, please register your details using the link on theright-hand side.
If you have any questions about volunteering at The Big Bang Fair, please email the Volunteer Manager, Kat Sandford, on volunteers@thebigbangfair.co.uk.
Why is The Big Bang Fair important?
Even the most well-informed school student will find something new to explore at The Big Bang Fair. A showcase like this is crucial in encouraging the next generation of scientists, engineers and mathematicians: they are able to discover subjects they hadn't previously heard of, and can meet the people who use those subjects every day in their careers. The unenthusiastic become enthused; the enthusiastic are inspired.
As well as it's primary role in showcasing the best of science and engineering to school students, The Big Bang Fair also plays a big role in enthusing parents about the subjects their children are studying. Research carried out by EngineeringUK suggests that a third of parents are not aware of the careers available to scientists and engineers, and that a fifth find science and engineering hard to understand. 36% of parents surveyed felt that enginering was a "man's world", and a tenth would prefer their children take the X-Factor route to success.
Parents are the most influential people when it comes to a student's career choices. With your help, we can work with parents to ensure they are more aware of the possibilities that science and engineering could open for their children.
You can read more about this research here.