TV science star’s lesson of a lifetime comes rocketing back to UK schools

Professor Brian Cox is on a mission to turn one lucky UK school class into budding astrologers as he returns for The Big Bang Lesson: Take 2 – a nationwide schools competition to win a science lesson that’s out of this world.

Schools entered in their thousands last year for the chance to have the TV scientist turn up and teach a star-studded science lesson. So, together with The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair, the Professor is back and this time he’s taking the winning class on location.

School children, teachers and parents can now enter their class (or child’s class) into the special prize draw, which will see the winners whisked off to The University of Manchester’s world famous Jodrell Bank Observatory on 19 January 2012. The class will enjoy a mind-blowing workshop in the Discovery Centre with Professor Brian Cox and the Discovery Centre’s Education team, get up close to the Observatory’s gigantic Lovell Telescope and discover more about the solar system with fun, interactive activities.

The professor of physics, who will teach the winning class fresh from hosting BBC Two’s Stargazing Live at Jodrell Bank, looks forward to inspiring young people about the amazing world around them.

He said: “I’m thrilled to be joining forces with The Big Bang Fair for a second year to teach and inspire school children. Science has always been my passion and it’s so rewarding to show youngsters of all ages that they too can play a part in answering some of life’s biggest questions with the help of science, technology, engineering and maths.

Young people, teachers and parents can now register for the chance to take part in The Big Bang Lesson: Take 2 by visiting facebook.com/TheBigBang4U. Entry closes on Monday 5 December 2011.

Professor Brian Cox has teamed up with The Big Bang Fair, the UK’s largest FREE celebration of science and engineering for young people, to show just how fun and inspiring these subjects can be.

The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair comes to The NEC, Birmingham, from 15-17 March 2012 and local schools and families can now register online for free tickets at www.thebigbangfair.co.uk. School groups will be invited to visit the first two days of The Big Bang Fair, which will also open to families and community groups on the Saturday.

Youngsters can make the impossible possible with more than 120 hands-on activities, from building chocolate bridges and experimenting with a bionic eye to meeting robots and exploring the wonders of outer space with the Mars Rover.

The Big Bang Fair also hosts the finals of the 2012 National Science & Engineering Competition where students from across the country will compete to claim one of the UK’s most prestigious science and engineering honours for young people.