Three IHEEM head office staff – recruitment and membership manager Chris Parker, accounts manager Annabelle Morgan, and administration officer Danielle Silman, manned a joint stand with 3M at this year’s Big Bang: UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair last month at London’s ExCeL exhibition centre.
At the show they joined colleagues from the STEM community representing over 110 organisations in promoting science and engineering to young people. Now in its third year, the Big Bang Fair is now well established as the UK’s biggest single celebration of science and engineering for youngsters. As reported in March’s HEJ, IHEEM this year joined with 3M to display the latter’s Electronic Test System, with the many visitors to the IHEEM stand coming away with an understanding of the science and engineering behind the development and use of this piece of equipment, and of the importance of ensuring medical instruments are properly sterilised. Chris Parker said: “The IHEEM staff are indebted to 3M’s Brian Kirk, and to the additional member volunteers from Institute’s London Branch, who assisted over the three days, speaking knowledgably about careers in engineering from their own experience.” The event’s careers aspect was enhanced by the opportunity for visitors to take “The Careers Quest”. With the aid of a pre-printed map, participants were prompted to visit exhibitors’ stands to question them about careers in their industry. Exhibitors were on hand to answer questions and provide a sticker to complete their route map; completed maps were then exchangeable for a “goody bag”. The venture brought many participants to the IHEEM stand. The event also included the National Science & Engineering Competition. Andrew Cowan, from Sutton Grammar School for Boys, was named Young Engineer of the Year, while Hannah Eastwood, from Loreto College in Coleraine, was announced as Young Scientist of the Year. Andrew Cowan’s project involved a “search and rescue robot”. Hannah Eastwood, meanwhile, explored how chromium could be removed from drinking water in order to purify tap water and reclaim it for the steel industry, where it is a valuable resource. Plans are already in place for IHEEM’s involvement in next year’s Big Bang Fair, in Birmingham, from 15-17 March 2012. The Institute will again be seeking to partner with a company within the healthcare estate sector, or an NHS body, with a product or display that will capture the imagination of tomorrow’s young scientists and engineers. To register an interest email: office@iheem.org.uk
