Science Festival - 24th May 2011

Five weeks to go until The Big Bang East Midlands kicks off, and I'm getting very excited about the event. It's getting to the time where we're drawing up individual timetables and laying the floor plan out for the event, and I have to say that with the vast majority of our activities and workshops in place it's going to be a fantastic day out for all concerned.

Timetabling is an interesting problem, because it involves getting people to move around the building without causing major blockages or lots of people being released at once. The schedule also needs to account for the fact that things overrun, people aren't always in the right place at the right time and so on. We also have to take into account the various age groups involved and the need for the judges to access the competitor students at the appropriate time.

Otherwise, it's now a matter of finalising everything, collating information and getting schools and visitors fully informed by the beginning of June. It's been amazing for me to see the change from contacting and booking to collating and informing, through then to welcoming and coordinating as the day arrives. A fascinating process, and a great experience for all concerned, hopefully!

24th May 2011