OVER a 1000 youngsters from across the district attended a festival at Cirencester College set up to inspire and motivate the next generation of scientists and volunteers.

Organised by the college in conjunction with local schools and businesses, the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Big Bang festival on June 24 and 25, aimed to stimulate interest in STEM education and help motivate the next generation of scientists and engineers.

As part of the event, students had the opportunity to drive a simulator of the world’s fastest car provided by Bloodhound SSC and make model Bloodhound cars, plus participate in workshops provided by STEM companies such as Dyson, Delphi, EDF, Magnox, Renishaw and GE Aviation

Liam Nolan, one of the organisers and head of science at the college, said: “The idea is in a nutshell is to help students and who have aspirations to do the stem subjects. We hook them in by doing exciting stuff.”

“We encourage them to do stem courses and help them understand that STEM is very exciting. It is about building a community between us and the schools and industries as well.”

Ellinor Harper East (corr), a student at Powell’s Primary School in Cirencester took part in a bath bombs work shop organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

“I thought it was really fun even though it isn’t something I normally do. It was just really enjoyable and really interesting. I probably know more about science than I would have done if I didn’t come here.”

Children were wildly entertained by the explosive ‘Wonderstruck’ science show, led by Peter Wright, which saw him conduct controlled experiments, that included him having his hair set on fire.

They also enjoyed a planetarium and science shows within the comfort of an inflatable ‘Science Dome’.