VIRTUAL reality, nuclear energy and underground science will be among the new technology on offer at a science fair aiming to engage young people.

Hundreds of students from across the region will take part in the two day Big Bang Tees Valley and County Durham Fair later this week.

The event, hosted by Darlington College, tomorrow and Friday, is part of a free programme of events run by Big Bang North East designed to show young people how science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects make a difference in the real world.

Stephen Catchpole, managing director of Tees Valley Unlimited, said: “The future success of the Tees Valley’s economy relies heavily on a workforce with strong STEM skills.

“Young people attending the Big Bang at Tees Valley are meeting scientists and engineers, and learning about the careers strong STEM skills can open up."

Events include The Ugly Animal Roadshow, hosted by Channel 4’s Nature’s Giants presenter Simon Watt and The Trading Game, which challenges student teams to employ their maths skills to buy and sell shares on a stock exchange changing floor simulator.

There will also be demonstrations provided by the University of Hull, the Great North Museum, Newcastle University, Durham University and Northern Architecture.

Yvonne Emerson, partnership manager at NYBEP Ltd, which has organised the event, said: “Over the next three years we aim to excite and enthuse more than 20,000 young people in the North East with science and engineering.”