Now open: Big Bang and TEXPO 2023
Two flagship competitions – enter both if you can!
Big Bang Competition: enter online by 30 March 2023
Get your students thinking about issues they're passionate about or coming up with solutions to challenges they've come across in their own lives by doing a project for The Big Bang Competition.
Taking part in the UK's top STEM competition for young people is a brilliant way to inspire your students to think big and show their passion.
Enter your science or engineering project online by 30 March 2023 at 5pm.
If you don't know where to start, or are looking for project ideas, check out some useful resources, tips and guides.
Or you can build a STEM project in easy step-by-steps with The Big Bang Challenge or browse the Big Bang Project Gallery.
CSES Schools' TEXPO: Fri 30 June 2023, ARU Chelmsford
For Y5-13 | Show your project to scientists and engineers | Cash prizes | Free lunch!
Are you in a STEM club at primary or secondary school? Have you made or investigated something fantastic in technology or science lessons? Have you been doing interesting technical projects at home?
Are you a teacher who'd like to showcase your pupils' / students' work? Or are you a parent, guardian or tutor whose child has been working on an exciting project?
If your answer to any of these questions is YES, then exhibit at the annual CSES TEXPO. There is prize money to be won and we even provide lunch!
We welcome projects from all STE(A)M disciplines. You don't need to do any additional work: bring your project(s) as they are. This could be something you've made, software, experiments, reports, posters, videos, presentations etc. You can enter the same project to TEXPO and Big Bang, including projects originally from other competitions.
Click here to find out more | Click here to enter your project(s)
More than prizes to be won
TEXPO doesn't just mean you could win prizes (although that is of course a big plus); you will gain a lot more from it than that.
This is an excellent opportunity to develop your interview and presentation skills, as you explain your project to our judges, many of whom are from local industry. You won't just get professional feedback and tips from real engineers and scientists, you'll also get to talk about careers – this is great exposure and looks good on your CV or university application!
You will get the chance to meet VIPs such as our MP and council leaders, and show your work to them. And you'll see and vote for other students' projects from schools across Essex.
Stuck for ideas?
Big Bang have some resources and inspiration for creating projects. Use these to enter both competitions if you can!
Build a STEM project in easy step-by-steps with The Big Bang Challenge
You can also get creative with The Big Bang Challenge – an inspiring resource to help with project work. Whether you have hours, days or even weeks to work on a project, young people can build on existing ideas to create their own unique project ready to enter into The Competition. Along the way, receive certificates and virtual badges to celebrate your progress and recognise amazing STEM skills.
Looking for inspiration?
You don't need to be a STEM expert! Projects can be about any topic in the field of STEM – get inspired with previous projects from The Competition on the Big Bang Project Gallery.
If you don't know where to start, or are looking for project ideas, sign up to receive some useful resources, tips and guides: https://www.thebigbang.org.uk/the-big-bang-competition/sign-up-for-competition-top-tips/
Still have questions?
Please contact us. We are happy to come into school and discuss with staff or present to students if this would help.
Some further guidance for the Big Bang Competition which may help you:
- Take a tour of our entry form and prepare your entry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGRnTL_sVBg
- Check out these step-by-step guides created by our Head Judges:
- Guidance for science projects: https://www.thebigbang.org.uk/media/wrwcszin/science-guidance.pdf
- Guidance for engineering projects: https://www.thebigbang.org.uk/media/4wylp2tc/engineering-guidance.pdf
- How to build a STEM project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc3d_7j9up4
- Discover this year's prizes, including our list of special awards created in collaboration with our award sponsors: https://www.thebigbang.org.uk/the-big-bang-competition/prizes/