Last updated 15:43, Wednesday, 22 October 2008

WEST Cumbrian youngsters were given the ultimate science experience recently when the National Science Museum returned for the second year running.

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shell shock! And milks the applause after doing it

Science and engineering was taken to a whole new level for school pupils across Copeland and Allerdale who were treated to a fun-filled show at Workington’s Carnegie Theatre and Whitehaven Civic Hall.

Giant magnets, water rockets, shot putts and feathers wowed the audiences at this year’s long-awaited show organised by the REACT Foundation.

The ‘Feel the Force’ shows exhilarated and entertained more than 2,000 pupils from across West Cumbria.

Teachers and pupils were plucked from the audience to take part in mind-blowing experiments aimed at making science fun.

The shows are aimed at changing the attitude towards science and engineering and promote a career in these fields.

Pete Woolaghan, chairman of the REACT Foundation, said: “The shows are designed to excite and inspire local youngsters to think about the part science and engineering plays in our everyday lives.

“We hold these annual events to try and banish the idea that science is too dull and difficult for younger pupils to grasp so we use exciting and entertaining experiments that they wouldn’t usually find in school.

“The pupils attending the show this year had a truly memorable experience.”

The Cumberland Building Society Charitable Foundation sponsored this year’s science shows.

Set up in 1998, the Foundation has supported a range of charitable organisations and causes throughout the county which benefit local people.

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority was also a sponsor.

Mr Woolaghan continued: “The REACT Foundation’s trustees truly appreciate the support of the Cumberland Building Society Charitable Foundation and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority as sponsors in bringing the Feel the Force science shows to school pupils across West Cumbria.”

Willy Marczinski, Year 5 science teacher at Beckstone Primary School, Harrington, said: “The show was fantastic. It was a very positive experience for our pupils.

“The whole thing was child-friendly and it made science interesting which is extremely important.

“Science has to be made fun for children to learn the subject better and that’s why we go to the REACT science shows. They’re fun and informative.

“Last year’s show was brilliant so we knew this year’s was going to be the same.”

Melanie Robertson, who took pupils from Hensingham Junior School to the show, said the day was very beneficial to how the children learn.

“It was brilliant,” she said.

“The whole day was interactive and the children found it great to be part of it.

“We are learning about forces at the moment and it allowed us to confirm what we had spoken about in class with all the demonstrations going on.

“The show highlighted a lot of scientific discoveries which was useful too.

“It was all well explained and well put together. We had a fantastic day.”