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EventEngineeringUK (EUK Education)

The Big Bang Fair 2027 (NEC Birmingham)

The UK's biggest celebration of STEM for young people, bringing together employers, professional institutions and universities. Students try hands-on activities, see live shows and explore careers. It is free for school groups and returns to the NEC in Birmingham in June 2027.

By the Born to Engineer editorial team Checked

At a glance

Run by
EngineeringUK (EUK Education)[1]
Who it’s for
School groups; the page does not state specific ages or year groups.[2]
Entry
A teacher or school enters
Worth
Hands-on activities, live shows and conversations with employers and universities about engineering careers.
Cost
Free for school groups[3]
Year groups
Year 9, Year 10, Year 11, Year 12, Year 13
Where
UK-wide (NEC, Birmingham)
Format
In person

Sources

4 sources

  1. EngineeringUK

    The Big Bang Fair

    The UK's biggest celebration of STEM for young people

    Checked 24 October 2026

  2. EngineeringUK

    The Big Bang Fair

    Together, they give students the opportunity to explore future careers, try hands-on activities and meet the people shaping the future

    Checked 24 October 2026

  3. EngineeringUK

    The Big Bang Fair

    Free for school groups, The Big Bang Fair brings STEM to life through hands-on activities, inspiring careers experiences and live shows.

    Checked 24 October 2026

  4. EngineeringUK

    The Big Bang Fair

    Taking place over 3 days at the NEC in Birmingham, The Fair will return in June 2027.

    Checked 24 October 2026

Details checked by the Born to Engineer editorial team. Always confirm dates on the provider’s site before applying.

Not open yet

June 2027 (three days; exact dates and tickets not yet announced)[4]

Visit thebigbang.org.uk (opens in a new tab)

More event opportunities

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Steam to Green: A North East Energy Revolution (Discovery Museum, Newcastle)

Open now

EventDiscovery Museum (North East Museums)

A free exhibition and event programme at Discovery Museum in Newcastle exploring the story of energy in the North East, from the industrial revolution to green technologies today. It has hands-on displays on wind and solar power, historical science and engineering objects, and a cutaway electric NISSAN Leaf car. A family event programme runs alongside it.

Worth
See hands-on displays on wind and solar power and engineering objects, and learn how the North East is leading the way in green energy.
Who
Families and visitors of all ages; a parent or carer can bring children. The page does not give an age range, and notes that it features both family and adult events.
Entry
Students or a school can enter
When
Until 5 September 2027

Visit northeastmuseums.org.uk (opens in a new tab)Details: Steam to Green: A North East Energy Revolution (Discovery Museum, Newcastle)

W5 LIFE Saturday Sessions (Belfast): robotics, coding and engineering challenges

Open now

EventW5 Belfast

Family drop-in STEM sessions every Saturday at W5 LIFE inside The O2 Belfast, including robot coding, a wind-powered car engineering challenge and an egg drop challenge. Most sessions are free drop-in with children supervised by an adult.

Worth
Hands-on engineering and coding activities, such as building and racing a wind-powered car and designing a device to protect a dropped egg.
Who
Families with children of all ages (all children must be accompanied by an adult). Individual sessions state their own ages, for example 6+ for Code With Colours and 8+ for the paid Christmas Build Off.
Entry
Students apply themselves
When
Saturdays from 24 October to 28 November 2026 (engineering sessions 21 and 28 November); paid Minecraft sessions 12 and 19 December 2026

Visit w5online.co.uk (opens in a new tab)Details: W5 LIFE Saturday Sessions (Belfast): robotics, coding and engineering challenges