College plays host to Big Bang event in association with Careers College.
Around 600 Dorset schoolchildren enjoyed a journey of discovery when The Bournemouth & Poole College played host to the annual "Big Bang @ Bournemouth & Poole College" event. The event was co-sponsored by The Bournemouth & Poole 14-19 Team and the college.
The pupils, mostly Year 8 from schools across the region, enjoyed a fun day of demonstrations, thought provoking challenges and activities to fire their imaginations. The event is designed to inspire an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths as young people begin their quest for rewarding careers.
There were over 30 exciting workshops for pupils to get involved in. The college ran several sessions which included 'Build a robot' with Advanced Technologies, 'The Rubens Tube' with Music Technology, 'The balancing bottle holder' with Construction, 'The electrical wiring competition' with Marine, 'CSI: Bournemouth & Poole College' with Health and Applied Sciences and Maths, 'Molecules on the move' with 6th Form College and many more.
As well as the college run sessions, several were run by local companies meaning that pupils got a chance to meet their potential future employer! These included Amec Foster Wheeler, Cobham Plc, LUSH, Royal Navy, Superior Seals, Sunseeker International, Siemens, Hamworthy Heating and Ultra Electronics. Training providers Bournemouth University and EDT also ran workshops. From building wind turbines and controlling flight simulators, to soap making and robotics programming, the external organisations brought many fascinating, interactive and hands-on activities to the event.
Mr Gerry Bishop, Cobham Plc's Employee Development Officer, commented on the enthusiasm of the pupils and said 'Our intention is to inspire their interest to build a career in electronics and technology.'
One pupil from Dorchester Middle School said of the Public Services workshop, 'It was great fun but there is a serious side to it too. It certainly made me think'. Pupils from St. Michael's Middle School commented that their visit was really helpful in choosing future careers, and that they had an interesting and enjoyable experience. Poole High School students were equally happy, comments included, "Enjoyed it. Brilliant day out" and "I enjoyed everything!".
"Big Bang @ Bournemouth & Poole College", in conjunction with Careers College, took place over two days with pupils travelling to the North Road site, Poole, some from as far as Dorchester and Weymouth. The project started nationwide in 2012 and has captured the imagination of pupils across the country.
Said Nick Harris, Event Organiser and Director of 14-19 Education at the college: “The college’s new STEM centre is the ideal setting for The Big Bang event. It plays a vital role in inspiring the UK’s future scientists and engineers at a regional, local and school level."
“This event encourages more people to take these subjects at a higher level. It also helps celebrate young people’s achievements within STEM and gives them direct access to engineers, scientists and potential employers.”
''It’s been a great event over two days and the pupils have clearly enjoyed the experience.”
