Minerals Matter to inspire future careers at Big Bang 2025
Debut attendance at best single face-to-face event to engage and inspire young people
MINERALS Matter is set to engage more than 23,000 young students at The Big Bang UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair 2025, which will take place at the NEC Birmingham from 17–19 June. Each day there will be two sessions, from 9am to noon and from 1pm to 4pm.
Partnering with Tarmac UK, Heidelberg Materials UK, and Cemex UK, the interactive stand will offer a variety of hands-on STEM activities, making the sector’s innovations, opportunities, and career pathways come to life for visiting students, and inspiring the next generation of engineers, geologists, and environmental specialists.
Hannah Higley, future careers manager at Minerals Matter, said: ‘The Big Bang Fair is the best single face-to-face event for the audience we need to reach. The idea will be to engage and inspire the young people, so they leave feeling enthused and excited about a possible future career within our sector.
‘We are especially pleased to be supported by three of the majors – Tarmac, Heidelberg Materials UK, and Cemex UK – as we debut at the event. There will be apprentices and ambassadors present to talk to young people about their experiences, as well as a fantastic opportunity for everyone to network,’ added Ms Higley.
Minerals Matter will be introducing its ‘Mineral Mission’ activity where students help to find the missing mineral via a series of clues and challenges.
Cemex will be explaining about ‘Curious Concrete’ – an opportunity for students to learn about different minerals used in the production of concrete, showcasing different samples.
‘We’ll be demonstrating how we work with and adapt concrete to suit specific uses in order to demonstrate not only how versatile concrete is as a building material, but also how essential it is to our communities and the built environment,’ said Chiedza Mupfumira, Cemex UK’s social impact specialist.
Presented by Heidelberg Materials UK, ‘Digging and Driving’ is a simulated experience that will allow students to use an excavator to load a tipper truck at a quarry. Heidelberg will also have environmental education books on hand.
‘Students will be able to try out operational roles in a quarry using our simulator — fun and educational!’ said Helen Johnson, Heidelberg Materials UK’s recruitment performance and process manager.
Tarmac will also be using VR headsets for their ‘Immersive quarry’ experience, where young people can be transported to a working quarry environment. They will also incorporate ‘Workwear Ready’, giving students the opportunity to try on a range of protective clothing, essential for safe working on site.
‘We want to show how the sector is innovative, responsible, and a gateway to impactful, sustainable careers,’ said Tarmac talent advisor Kirsty McKernan.
The Big Bang Fair is free to state-funded UK school groups, years 6–8 in England and Wales, P7–S2 in Scotland, and years 7–9 in Northern Ireland. For further information, email: info@thebigbang.org.uk
