YOUNGSTERS at a York junior school marked British Science Week with a bang.

The company Science Boffins dropped in at Bootham Junior School on Rawcliffe Lane ahead of the Easter break with every child getting in on the action as part of a week of experiments and other activities.

The week included visits from top scientists, including Professor Lucy Carpenter, whose work on the Earth’s oceans and atmosphere has earned her awards from the Royal Society.

The children also heard from Dr James Chong and his search for new bacterial species aimed at saving the soil and aiding food production.

Teacher, Valerie Davies, explained the significance of the week.

She said: “Meeting and learning from ‘real life’ scientists from different backgrounds gives the children a deeper understanding of the role scientists play in many diverse aspects of our lives, so they develop as socially-aware, questioning and active citizens of our modern scientific world.”

Head teacher, Helen Todd, said “Science helps develop teamwork and citizenship, and a variety of problem solving and questioning skills that children will apply to other parts of their lives.”

The company Science Boffins also provided a day of exciting assemblies and workshops as part of the week.

British Science Week (BSW) is a ten-day programme of science, technology, engineering and maths events and activities across the UK for people of all ages. This year it ran from March 11-20.