Open day in Bridgend Careers Centre
Is your son or daughter due to leave school this summer? Do you know what their next steps are? Do you want to know more about work based training, apprenticeships or employment opportunities in the area? If so, Careers Wales is on hand to help you decide and point you in the right direction. We are holding an open day at the Bridgend Careers Centre on Tuesday, 30 April between 3.30pm and 7pm for you and your son or daughter to drop in and chat through your options.
Open new doors to employment and training
Is your son or daughter due to leave school this summer? Do you know what their next steps are? Do you want to know more about work based training, apprenticeships or employment opportunities in the area? If so, Careers Wales is on hand to help you decide and point you in the right direction. We are holding an open day at the Bridgend Careers Centre on Tuesday, 30 April between 3.30pm and 7pm for you and your son or daughter to drop in and chat through your options.
Countdown to The Big Bang Cymru has begun!
Register for The Big Bang Cymru is now open. Enter your pupil/student project (s) or STEM club (s) to compete in The Big Bang Cymru on 3rd July 2013 at The University of Glamorgan, Treforest, Pontypridd.
A showcase of STEM projects
It’s FREE to enter a STEM project in one of the competitions:-
• The National Science & Engineering Competition (NSEC)
• Young Engineer for Britain
• Regional finals for CREST.
Eligible projects include student course work or projects completed during lunch time or after school clubs. Some students may also have projects that they have completed in their own time.
We are also encouraging STEM clubs to showcase the work and activities they undertake in order to inspire other young people.
Please download the promotional flyers and forward to any Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths; After School/College or Lunch Time Club Co-ordinators; STEM Club Co-ordinators which outline the competitions in more detail.
http://www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/_db/_documents/Big_Bang_Cymru_3rd_July_Eng.pdf
http://www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/_db/_documents/Big_Bang_Cymru_3rd_July_Welsh.pdf
Schools and Colleges can register their project online at:-
http://www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/regionalregistration/?tid=11
Deadline for project registrations is 30th May 2013
What’s on in 2013?
Pupils, students, teachers and visitors will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of inspiring and fascinating workshops, be dazzled by the STEM shows and try out one of the many interactive activities.
Spectacular theatre shows
• Zap! Buzz! BOOM!
We are delighted to have on board BBC TV science presenter Fran Scott. Fran will be presenting prizes at the event and demonstrating her big impact theatre show.
• EduPops – ‘The Clockwork Universe’
The Clockwork Universe is a riotous rock ‘n’ roll rampage through the history of science from ancient Greece to the 20th Century. Key concepts in Physics are brought to life through music and song, ridiculous costumes and a spectacular multimedia visual show, all performed by a LIVE band!
• Bristol ChemLabs – ‘A Pollutant’s Tale’
‘A Pollutant’s Tale’ is a demonstration lecture all about the chemistry of the Earth’s atmosphere – designed to enthuse students about science, with lots of visual demonstrations, colourful experiments and even a few explosions!
• Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT)
Did you know that the UK is committed to an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050? The science shows we need to decarbonise fast! What will Britain be like with lower greenhouse gas emissions? Is it possible to get to zero emissions? This show will allow participants design their own zero carbon future.
Engage with cutting-edge research and technology
• Royal Society of Chemistry – ‘Guess The Smell’
How many things can you think of that involve chemistry? Did you think about the toothpaste you used this morning? Your food? Your clothes? Chemistry is everywhere! Test your nose with ‘Guess the Smell’ and have a chat to ambassadors about where chemical sciences can take you!
• ICE – Suspension Bridge
Be a Civil Engineer for a day and take part in the building of a real bridge.
• Technocamps Robotics Challenge 2013
The Technocamps Robotics Challenge will be battling during the day in a head to head competition for schools in SW and SE Wales who will show off their programming skills before entering the ‘End of Term Robo Prom Live Challenge’.
Industry insight
• See the STEM behind the scenes of leading UK companies including Western Power, Wales & West Utilities, Renishaw plc. and ecitb.
Speed-networking
• Meet real-life scientists and quiz them about their work.
For a full list of what’s on, check out The Big Bang Cymru website at:-http://www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/Wales/nearme.cfm
Want to know more?
If you would like more information please contact:-
Kay Dalton, Marketing Co-ordinator, kay.dalton@careerswalesgyrfacymru.com
Tel: 01639 871933
Put Energy into Your Career
Adults and young people in south-west Wales are being urged to put some ‘power’ into their careers by attending a careers and information evening designed to help them find out more about what it’s like to work in the energy sector.
The Energy Sector event, to be held at the Bridge Innovation Centre in Pembroke Dock on 21st March 2013 between 5pm and 7pm, will be buzzing with employers, local colleges, training providers and others who will be on hand to provide people with first hand information on careers and jobs in the non-renewable and renewable energy sectors.
More than 850,000 people work in the UK energy sector and by 2025, Wales aims to be energy self-sufficient, promoting the use of wind, marine, solar and biomass in particular. Currently 25 per cent of the UKs energy supplies come through Pembrokeshire. This figure is set to increase once the power station becomes fully operational.
Organised by Careers Wales and the Energy Workforce Development Group, the evening is aimed at pupils in schools and their parents/guardians, teachers, college students and adults and is designed to provide individuals with information on routes into the energy sector, the skills and qualifications needed, training schemes, apprenticeships, further and higher education.
Speaking ahead of the evening, Careers Wales, said: “Building on the success of last year’s event, we are delighted to be hosting this event once again. We would encourage anyone who is thinking of getting into the energy sector to come along for an informal, but very productive chat with local employers, industry and teaching experts.”
Come along to the Energy Sector event at the Bridge Innovation Centre, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6UN, on Thursday 21st March anytime between 5pm and 7pm.
For further details, please contact Careers Wales on 01646 623510 or e-mail:julie.freeman@careerswalesgyrfacymru.com
Register your school or college STEM project at The Big Bang Cymru 2013
Careers Wales is once again delighted to be organising this major STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) fair for young people in Wales.
Showcase your STEM projects
The Big Bang Cymru provides an opportunity for young people from across Wales to showcase their STEM projects with a chance of winning prizes and the opportunity to compete at The Big Bang UK event in March 2014.
Inspiring and informing
The Big Bang Cymru features an exciting array of interactive workshops, displays, experiments, simulators and theatre shows to motivate and excite pupils.
Zap! Buzz! BOOM!
For 2013 we are delighted to have on board BBC TV science presenter Fran Scott. Fran will be presenting prizes at the event and providing her big impact theatre show – Zap! Buzz! BOOOM! Now here’s a show with a (potential) difference!
Want to know more or book a place?
In the meantime if you would like more information or would like to book a place to compete or attend The Big Bang Cymru 2013, please contact:
Kay Dalton at Careers Wales
kay.dalton@careerswalesgyrfacymru.com
Tel: 01792 352033
Registration for The Big Bang @ EESW is now open!
Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths (STEM) – Vital for the future
Encouraging the uptake of STEM subjects has been identified by the Welsh Government as a priority, to ensure Wales has the skills to support the development of a vibrant and sustainable knowledge-based economy for the future.
The Big Bang Cymru events for 2013, bring together the Welsh Government, primary, secondary, further and higher education, industry and the wider Science, Technology and Engineering communities to provide a platform to motivate young people to follow a rewarding career in the STEM sector.
Don’t miss this exciting STEM event for your students
Engineering Education Scheme Wales (EESW) working with Careers Wales, is proud to present the Big Bang @ EESW, STEM fair for schools in North Wales as part of its annual Awards and Presentation Day.
Showcase your STEM projects
The Big Bang @EESW provides an opportunity for schools and colleges to showcase their STEM projects with a chance of winning prizes and the opportunity to compete at The Big Bang UK event in March 2014.
Inspiring and informing
The event will be opened by The Secretary of State for Wales and will include the Primary F1 Regional final and also features an exciting array of interactive workshops, displays, experiments, simulators and theatre shows to motivate and excite your pupils to engage in the STEM curriculum. There will be representation from the renewable energy sector, the automotive forum and aerospace industry and many other interactive stands.
Rock Guitar in 11 Dimensions
A special feature will be a theatre show featuring Dr Mark Lewney’s Rock Guitar in 11 Dimensions – What causes the revolutionary, history-changing sound of rock guitar, and how does it help us to understand the nature of the stuff we’re made of? Famelab winner Mark Lewney explains the physics of rock using riffs from Vivaldi to AC/DC, explains the secret of the Stradivarius, and shows how string vibrations might lie at the heart of the Big Questions about the universe.
Want to know more or book a place?
If you are interested in your students attending The Big Bang @EESW please contact Kay Dalton kay.dalton@careerswalesgyrfacymru.com Tel: 01792 352033.
Competition entries will be via EESW on info@stemcymru.org.uk, call 01656 669381 or go to http://www.stemcymru.org.uk
Students fuelled by advice at low carbon careers event
Students from schools in North Wales turned out in force to a low carbon careers event designed to inspire and enthuse young people in following a career in the thriving North Wales energy industry.
Ystalyfera students win regional business challenge
Students from Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera in Neath Port Talbot have fought off competition from schools from throughout the Swansea Bay region to win the Swansea Bay Young Business Dragons challenge 2012.
Sponsored by Wales & West Utilities and organised by the Swansea Bay Partnership in association with Careers Wales, the competition has seen over 7,000 students from across Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Neath Port Talbot develop innovative ideas for a business opportunity around the theme of UK Festivals.
The winning team, ‘Team Zip Away’, beat off tough competition from five other finalists which included team ‘Water Ones’ from Cwrt Sart Community School, Neath Port Talbot; ‘Endurance’ from Ysgol Glan-y-Mor, Carmarthenshire; ‘Wash Pit’ from Ysgol Bryngwyn School, Carmarthenshire; ‘Solar Light’ from Bishop Vaughan Catholic School, Swansea and ‘Vintage Vans’ from Ffynone House School, Swansea.
Over a series of heats the teams from 40 schools across the area have expanded their business ideas with the help of mentors from local businesses to develop their business and marketing strategies.
Team ‘Zip Away’ created a unique and practical product for festival goers. The Zip Away rucksack boasts an integral pillow and sleeping bag. It has three compartments, two for storage and one for the sleeping bag. The unique selling point of the product is the ease of unfolding and folding the sleeping bag. The team carried out their own market research finding that 90% of the target audience agreed there was a gap in the market for the “all in one” rucksack. The students developed a working prototype which they plan to patent and develop further.
Team members from Zip Away commented on the experience, “We are all thrilled to have won the overall title of Swansea Bay Young Business Dragons 2012. As a team we have learnt so many new skills during the competition. Most of all we have enjoyed working together as a team and thanks to this challenge we are all now great friends. It has been a life changing experience for us and has shown us that we can achieve our goals. As a team we are now looking to take our product further and are looking for investors!”
Adam Amor, Buffoon Film and Media and business mentor for team Zip Away, commented, “It’s been great to see the team grow during the competition and it’s been a pleasure to work with the group. They have worked really hard and have come up with an outstanding product which has the potential to turn into a real business.”
The competition judges included Philip Davies, LBS Builders Merchants Ltd, Nicola Pugh from Montagne Jeunesse International Ltd. and Andrew Downie, Netbop Technologies Ltd.
Graham Edwards, Chief Executive of sponsors, Wales & West Utilities, said: “This year’s competition has been fantastic! I would like to congratulate the 6 teams that made it through to the finals. The students have demonstrated a real passion for business and real entrepreneurial flair – they are an inspiration to us all. Team ‘Zip Away’ are certainly very worthy overall winners and as main sponsors we wish them well for their futures.”
Other business sponsors of the event were Derwen, UK Steel Enterprise Ltd and Carillion.
Swansea Bay Young Business Dragons Awards went to:
Best teamwork Award: Water Ones from Cwrt Sart Community School
Most Polished Pitch Award & Most Innovative Product Award: Team Zip Away, Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera
Best Financial Planning Award: Team Endurance, Ysgol Glan Y Mor
Best Marketing Campaign & Best Brand Award: Team Wash Pit, Ysgol Bryngwyn
Most Innovative Social Media Campaign Award: Team Solar Light, Bishop Vaughan Catholic School
Best Trade Stand Award: Team Vintage Vans, Ffynone House School
Pupils prepare for showdown
Six teams from secondary schools in Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Neath Port Talbot are putting the last minute preparations to their business ideas and pitches in preparation for a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style grand final of the 2012 Swansea Bay Young Business Dragons competition, an entrepreneurial business challenge which is being held at Ffos Las Race course this Friday, 16th November. Read the rest of this entry
Carmarthenshire School is top of the class when it comes to Careers and the World of Work
A Carmarthenshire school has been recognised for its work in developing a proactive and exemplary Careers and World of Work (CWoW) programme.
