The Royal Navy is attending the 2018 Big Bang Fair at the NEC Birmingham today - the UK's largest and highest-profile Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Fair.
This annual event (from Wednesday to Saturday) is aimed at young people aged 7-19, bringing the classroom to life and show them the exciting and rewarding opportunities that exist for them, with the right qualifications and skills.
The Royal Navy will have its largest ever and most interactive stand with advice on Naval Service engineering career chances.
Youngsters can take part in Play Station-style challenges based on the high tech warships - the Type 45 destroyers - to simulate controlling Merlin helicopters and F35 jets taking off and landing after completing missions.
They can also design the most efficient turbine blade and test it on an interactive gas turbine model and build and test their own pneumatic logics circuits to understand how valves work.
Would be naval engineers can also meet a humanoid robot performing salutes, physical training instruction and dancing skills as a practical demonstration of computer-coding.
As part of a 3D-Printing demonstration - models can be printed by young visitors to the Royal Navy during the show to demonstrate the printing technology which is used by the RN ashore and on board ships at sea.
The Big Bang Fair is open from Wednesday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm, and on Saturday, 9am to 4.30pm, and will be attended by over 80,000 visitors who will hear from inspiring engineers and scientists about opportunities at some of the UK's biggest companies and organisations.
Visitors will experience a combination of high-octane theatre shows, 150+ interactive stands and workshops, inspiring science and engineering projects and careers information, resources and activities.
This award-winning event also attracts some of the most STEM-talented school students and hosts the finals of The Big Bang Competition, which in 2017 saw 600 young people pitch their science and engineering projects to judges.
The annual contest recognises and rewards young people's achievements in all areas of STEM, as well as helping them build skills and confidence in project-based work.
At the Big Bang Fair in 2017, 10% of UK secondary schools registered, 92% of 11-14 year olds reported enjoying the event, 80% of 11-14 year olds said they learnt a lot from their visit, 24,750 careers engagements; and 40% of young visitors asked about careers.
For more information about The Big Bang Fair visit www.thebigbangfair.co.uk
You can also follow the RN Engineering team on Twitter @UTCChallenge on Twitter. #YOE18, #inspireanengineer
