David Mann									Allen

For David Mann, Operations Manager of The Big Idea, his job running the day-to-day workings of the building and exhibits has meant something of a welcome return to his Ayrshire roots. Born in Darvel, David has always been aware of the local flair for invention through that town's most famous son Alexander Fleming. With his father-in-law working for ICI at Ardeer, he also was familiar with the Nobel connection - "It's time that this was made more well known and rightfully exploited," as he says. David made a career with First Leisure, formerly one of the largest entertainment, leisure and hotel groups under Michael Grade, gaining much experience running family entertainment centres before joining The Big Idea in April 1999. "We have to be self-financing here," he comments, "so the organisers of the project wanted someone with the commercial experience that I could offer."

David sees his main job as running a centre where the primary aim is to inform and educate. "We want to attract people with enquiring minds who will ask the questions 'Why?' and 'Why not?'" he says. "Most of our exhibits are designed round the 5-14 Curriculum and we want to teach kids without them realising that it's education! I've visited many technical and educational centres with my own 5 and 8 year olds, and my aim here is to take things a stage further. There are so many great facilities here, catering especially for the physically impaired - everyone should be able to use them!"

David is enthusiastic about the experience the visitor will have. "On entering, you will be asked for your  name and a few details and receive in return an iButton. This device is your personal key to The Big Idea and it will guide you through the exhibition and allow you access to the outstanding interactive exhibits and events. When you press your iButton against an exhibit, it will address you by name, and through time the exhibition will start to learn about you and personalise the experience for you alone."

Downstairs there are five main exhibits, covering mechanisms, materials, communications, control and energy and 25 smaller ones - Discovery points or Challenge points which enable the visitor to experiment with everyday appliances and principles in a unique way.

"Everywhere in the exhibit," says David, "screens will come alive, addressing you by name and suggesting other things you might like to tackle - for example one might ask you to proceed to the History of Explosions theatre for the screening of the special film "From Big Bang to Space Exploration". This is no ordinary film theatre, and that's why we call it the 'pink knuckle' ride!"

On the mezzanine floor there is a splendid view out of the window to Irvine harbour and it is here that visitors can use their iButton to obtain a free inventor's kit from the special dispensaries. Valued between £5 and £10, and included in the admission charge, these kits allow visitors to build one of ten different inventions, such as a space buggy, a hovercraft, a ball launcher, a personal organiser or a quartz clock. "Whatever you choose, you can sit at one of the assembly areas and put your kit together in your own particular way - test it in our test area and then of course take it home with you!" adds David.

David is delighted with the overall shape of the project he will be managing. "I joined it early enough to have operational input to the design process. I've been able to see it grow over the past year with designers and operators working together for optimum benefit," he comments. "We've had great support from one of our major funders, the Millennium Commission, who see us as one of their most exciting projects. They have had a watchful eye over how we have been spending their cash. But at every stage we have come out well against their criteria. They were happy with each business operations review so have largely left us to get on with it."

With the management team and staff complement fully recruited and going through the final stages of training, David is confident that they are ready to face the public from April 15th. "We are aiming for the highest level of customer care in a family-friendly environment," says David. "We want to present a great showcase for technology in this area, and attract the attention and the custom of companies and organisations both near and far." he adds. "And of course for me personally it has been a greatly enjoyable and enlightening learning experience."