The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair announces registrations now open for next year’s event
Event will include thrilling theatre shows, live science demonstrations, hands on workshops and career advice from across the fields of marine biology, robotics, coding, aerospace, healthcare, engineering, environmental sciences, and more
The UK’s most talented young scientists and engineers will be showcasing the projects that got them to the national finals
The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair, the largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) for young people in the UK returns to the NEC Birmingham next year.Continue reading Building up to the Big Bang
Scientists* identified that classic shredding tunes from Foo Fighters and Kings of Leon worked best for mixing drinks
The Rock Music Milkshake Mixer will be on display at The Big Bang Fair 2018 where guests will have the opportunity to pick up the axe and mix a milkshake for themselves
Schools across the country can request to have the RM3 sent to them for a unique way to demonstrate the science of cymatics **
The Big Bang Fair challenged a team of inventors, scientists and musicians to make a delicious beverage with music. The result was the world’s first ever milkshakes mixed entirely with sound energy from live music!
The music-made beverages were not the result of mellow pop tunes by Justin Bieber or Ed Sheeran however, but the raw power of rock music. Indeed, during the unusual experiment, the team found they would have the greatest success in their musically moving milkshake endeavours by turning to powerful guitar riffs from stadium bands Foo Fighters, Kings of Leon and even Blink-182.
So how is it possible to make these delicious shakes solely through the power of sound energy? With a standard electric guitar and a somewhat less standard madcap contraption that was one-part guitar amplifier and one-part kitchen blender, that’s how.
Bringing together the worlds of education, science, music and kitchenware in a way never seen before, The Rock Music Milkshake Mixer (or the RM3 for short) has been created to mark registrations opening for The Big Bang Fair 2018. The Big Bang Fair is the largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) for young people in the UK. For more information visit www.thebigbangfair.co.uk
Beth Elgood, Director of Communications at EngineeringUK, who organise The Big Bang Fair, said: “Going into its tenth year in 2018 The Big Bang Fair continues to be a great source of STEM inspiration for young people, representing an amazing opportunity for young visitors, their teachers and parents to get hands-on with a wide range of activities, workshops and shows. With this in mind, we’re delighted to unveil the unique Rock Music Milkshake Mixer prototype today, which is sure to be another popular interactive exhibit at this year’s show.”
So how does the RM3 work? First pour powdered milkshake and milk into the jug and screw the top on tight. Next, plug in an axe (that’s a guitar), ready your plectrum and start playing some crunching riffs at max volume (ideally volume 11).
Now marvel as cymatics (that’s the visualisation of sound through a physical medium – in this case milkshake) allows you to witness the hard rock sound waves, emitted from the speaker, coming into contact with the milkshake mixture and vigorously vibrating it. Soon enough, you’ll have a deliciously thick drink, made entirely through the power of sound energy.
Year 7 students at Westminster Academy in London were the first to try the revolutionary new prototype earlier this week, where it was officially launched by The Blowfish, the world’s only heavy metal marine biologist.
The Blowfish commented: “Metal music and science are two of my biggest passions, so when I was offered the chance to launch the Rock Music Milkshake Mixer, it was an absolute no-brainer. I’m a big believer in finding new and innovative ways to get kids excited about science and the world around them. What better way of achieving that than by harnessing the epic power of rock music to make a tasty, delectable treat?”
The RM3 will be on display, and free for guests to try out at The Big Bang Fair 2018, which is due to take place at the NEC in Birmingham in March next year. For more information visit www.thebigbangfair.co.uk
After two decades in space, the remarkable journey of the Cassini spacecraft comes to a dramatic end this afternoon. Having used almost every bit of fuel it carried to Saturn, operators are plunging Cassini into the planet to ensure Saturn’s moons will remain pristine for future exploration.Continue reading Cassini: twenty year space odyssey ends today
A science programme focused on igniting a passion for science in primary school pupils has been expanded to ten local authority areas across Scotland. Science Minister Shirley Ann Somerville called in to Blackhall Primary School last week to see RAiSE at work in the classroom. Continue reading Science Minister visits Blackhall Primary
A whirlwind tour of advances in science and engineering is to highlight just how far we have come since John Napier devised his calculating bones and changed mathematics forever. Professor Jim Al-Khalili (above) is heading north to take an Edinburgh audience on a journey through the cutting-edge developments which will change the way we live.Continue reading The shape of things to come: from Napier’s bones to future science
Science festivals will receive £250,000 of Scottish Government funding to support them in bringing science alive in a fun and accessible way, Science Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville has announced.Continue reading More funding for science festivals
School gamers recruited to save Scotland’s forests
With new threats to tree health never far from the news, seven Scottish research institutes have been working with computer game designers to create a freely-available platform on which young players can pit their wits against pests and diseases in the virtual forest. The result is the new survival strategy game CALEDON, which was launched in Glasgow today. The ultimate game plan is to encourage a new generation of much-needed tree health specialists. Continue reading Tree-mendous: Game of cones!
Percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie and playwright and artist John Bryne are among a group of four Scots to have been honoured for their outstanding contribution to Scotland’s culture and society.Continue reading Fletcher Awards for prominent Scots
