Guinness World Records has been at The Big Bang Fair in Birmingham, UK this week, offering kids the chance to attempt an official title and meet some of the record holders featured in our new Science & Stuff  book.

Our British spokesperson for the book – famous science boff and comedian Robin Ince – made an appearance yesterday to present the Guinness World Records: Science & Stuff Inspire Award to Bethan Padbury, as part of The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition.

The talented teen had created a simple electricity generator to demonstrate the potential of renewable energy sources.

She wowed the expert judging panel by managing to light up an LED sign using a bicycle and her homemade generator.


Craig Glenday, Editor-in-Chief for Guinness World Records commented on her achievement: “We were delighted to take part in The Big Bang Competition. All of the projects were fantastic which made judging really difficult. The work by this year’s winners of the Science & Stuff Inspire Award was particularly impressive. These talented young people will make incredible future scientists and we hope to see them breaking records in the future."

Bethan’s project earned top prize because it is inspirational, was created with ingenuity, imagination and creativity, and mirrors the Guinness World Records key values of integrity, respect, inclusiveness and passion.


Mark Titterington, Chief Executive of EngineeringUK which organises The Big Bang Competition said: "Looking at this innovative project it’s easy to see why it stood out to the judges, however we’ve been blown away by the quality of entries from all the finalists – not only for their brilliant work but for showcasing it to crowds of people at The Big Bang Fair.

"It certainly bodes well for the future that the scientists, engineers and inventors of tomorrow are already producing such astute and creative project work."

You can still catch us at the interactive science exhibition for kids at Birmingham NEC until Saturday 17 March.

You could meet Paul Hunn today – record holder for the Loudest burp – and learn the science behind his belching prowess.

We’re also hosting an interactive live show in which we attempt to recreate the smell of the world’s Smelliest plant – the corpse flower – by blending limburger cheese, cooked onions, garlic, cough sweets, beer and old socks!


Visit The Big Bang Fair website to find out more.

Science and Stuff universal packshot