Researching the inner workings of a coral reef, live streaming music festivals for television companies and using computer games to understand Alzheimer’s Disease are just some of the career possibilities for students who take up subjects in science, technology, engineering and maths. 
At the University of Essex’s second annual Big Bang Science Fair 1,000 Year 9 and 10 pupils, aged 13 to 15, from schools across Essex and Suffolk will learn about the diverse  jobs available if they choose subjects in the Stem range – science, technology, engineering and maths. 
The event, linked to the national Big Bang Science Fair,  but organised in Colchester by the university, aims to show pupils these subjects are far from boring but are in fact essential in an increasingly digital and technological world. 
Karen Gooch, placements manager for the faculty of science and health at the university, explains: “We have just gone through a period of recession when companies had to make cuts and now we are facing a skills shortage in these areas.  The workforce is ageing, companies haven’t been taking on graduates and apprentices. 
“The idea behind this fair is to capture the imaginations of Year 9 and 10 students before they choose their GCSEs. It’s to show them there are so many career possibilities if they take these subjects at GCSE and beyond. 
“The world is getting more sophisticated and skills are badly needed in these areas in the future.”  
The event, at the university, will feature 25 interactive stands, workshops, demonstrations and the chance for students to get involved in experiments. 
National and regional companies including BSkyB, BT, Network Rail, Royal Navy, Selex, and Essex County Council will be on hand to explore the possibilities with the students. The university’s own science research will be on display with a computer game set in a brain under the siege of Alzheimer’s disease, and cow-tracking technology showing how maths can help improve dairy cow welfare. 
Karen says: “I attended a national Big Bang Science Fair organised by Engineering UK, in Birmingham, last year and thought this is exactly what we should be doing, so we did. But we did it on our own.  
“This year Engineering UK have been more involved although the university has organised the event itself.  
“We will also be hosting the Prince of Wales Engineering Workshop for headteachers. This workshop will give headteachers the chance to hear from regional and national businesses about the skills they need, and to discuss ways of advancing engineering in schools.” 


* The Big Bang Science Fair is at at the university’s Colchester campus on Tuesday, December 16 ,from 9.30am until 2.30pm.  For more information about the national Big Bang Science Fair visit bigbangfair.co.uk