The organisers of next month’s IHEEM-supported “The Big Bang” event, the goal of which is to stimulate young people’s interest in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) careers, have repeated their call for volunteers to help ensure that the fair, which is expected to attract thousands of youngsters from across the UK, runs smoothly.
As reported in last month’s HEJ, “The Big Bang” will take place from 11-13 March at Manchester Central, and is being led by EngineeringUK in conjunction with organisations including the Royal Academy of Engineering, and the British Science Association. IHEEM is supporting the event, with bedhead services specialist Static Systems having agreed to provide its one-bedded “ward-of-the future” feature (pictured) as the centrepiece of the healthcare engineering display within the “Body Talk”-themed area, and Leeds’ Thackray Museum expected to provide objects with a medical theme. IHEEM events/education manager Jeff Pickering (who IHEEM members keen to get involved should contact at: jeff.pickering@iheem.org.uk), added: “We would still be pleased to hear from company affiliate members who believe they could contribute exciting hands-on technology for this section of the show, and from individual IHEEM members from the north-west especially who could help staff the ‘Careers Hub’.” The Big Bang’s organisers, indeed, say they still need “hundreds of volunteers” to help a hoped-for 10,000 visitors optimise their time at the event. Volunteers will be required to attend briefings on either 18 February in London or 26 February in Manchester, and to agree to be on-site for at least one day of the show. Among the roles which require filling are: r “Event expert guides” – to be “paired”, prior to the event, with a particular school planning to attend. The guides will need to meet the school on-site and guide them throughout the day, or days, advising on the activities, workshops, presentations, and other attractions on offer. They will also need to answer general questions from students/teachers about the event and the STEM content.
- Session/activity assistants – effectively ushers at each door tasked with checking individuals are at the right room for the right session.
-Venue / zone monitors – to stand by their allocated “zone” on the show floor, directing guests to free areas.
- Careers officers – to answer any careers-related queries from visitors, staff a central Careers Hub, and manage “speed networking” events to talk to visitors about potential career options.
- Registration desk support – individuals to “meet and greet” arriving guests and participants, check their badge, and scan them into the system etc, at registration desks designated for different visitor “types”.
Potential volunteers wanting more details should visit: www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/volunteers
