Big Bang Fairs - Past experiences, possible meet-ups, anyone planning to go?

[DerbysKangaskhan]

I've just received the information for this year's [http://www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/ Big Bang Fairs]. The main one is in Birmingham at the NEC and there are a range of other ones across the country.

Has anyone gone to these before? This will be the first year it's been in good travel distance for us. The site says it has two days for school groups and the Saturday for families, and I've been wondering whether it would be better to try to make a home education "school group" or maybe plan a fun family meet-up on the Saturday. What is everyone thoughts?

Big Bang Fairs

Gosh, Ds would love this. Sat better for us as I can't drive but DH can so he could take us there. (We're in Manchester).

It does seem like a really great event, I think my kids will really enjoy it.

Saturday seems the best for us as well - can get off-peak train tickets without worrying about the times.

I've booked us in for the Saturday...my DD1 is really interested in Science. Maybe a meet up at lunchtime would be good?

Had a discussion about this with an HE - er via our local HE forum. It appears that they disregard home educators as 'educators' and it is only possible for HE families to attend on the Saturday, missing some good workshops. I think that is pretty cheeky! We are still going anyway (on sat).

It is a bit cheeky, though there will be plenty of stand based workshops with more room without school groups. Part of me prefers it as the last time we went to an event with school groups, it made DS1 really anxious at the group sizes and the school groups kept staring and making comments at him. Even after the organizers said he could join in with everything, he kept avoiding the groups as much as possible.

The only timed event we've got is at 1pm, so lunch time or mid-afternoon would work well for us. If it's near the main car park at the NEC, there are a few places to eat that are quite pricey, but there is a load of benches near a small shop which would be good for packed lunches and a chat.

We're doing timed events at 10.30 and 2.

I've gotten the maps for the event and it is next to the car park like I thought. There is a group of benches just inside the entrance, would people like to meet there at about 11:30ish? Or is there a better time?

We should be easy to spot regardless -- I'll be wearing my purple and bright turquoise cap, with my gingery bearded husband in his mobility scooter holding the baby DS and trying keep up with 3 DCs trying to get into everything .

We'll be there on Sat. Our kids (two boys, 6 and 2) both have very curly hair. Don't really want to book a time to meet up as I have no idea when we'll get there. I'll look out for your hat and gingery bearded husband though, derby. My husband also has a gingery beard!

We will be there! Will look out for people, DP and I are both short with geeky glasses, we have three girls (5, 3 and baby in sling).

Well, we did look for you! Had a brilliant time. It was an excellent place for kids and in fact there was just too much to do in one day. Great stuff. Hope you all had a good time too!

I just thought that I'd add that two EHE boys, Alan Bannon and Callum Williams took some awards at this event:

The NSEC Intermediate Engineering and Technology Award (highly commended)

Young Engineer for Britain:

• Engineering Excellence Award
• Intel ISEF Invitation

Both were members of the TechHEds robotics team two years ago.