THE science lab has been whirring in overdrive at Lethbridge Primary School this week as staff and pupils got together for the annual science fair.

The fair, which took place yesterday, is a favourite in the Lethbridge Road school’s calendar as it gives pupils the chance to get out of the classroom and experience some practical science.

Each school year focused on one particular aspect of science and the children set up stalls in the assembly hall to show the other kids what they had learnt.

Graham Ballard, Year 3 teacher and one of the school’s science co-ordinators, said: “Our aim is to promote science by dedicating an entire week to it. Today we are holding a fair so the pupils can show off what they have been doing all week.

“The children love it because they get to do some really exciting things. Sometimes it can be hard to make science practical, so it’s good to give them a chance to get hands-on.”

Parents and grandparents stopped by in the afternoon to see what their little ones had been getting up to and to see if they could remember any of the science they were taught at school.

Year 4 had been studying the science of sound and had much fun examining the relationship between size and sound and weight and sound.

“It gives them the chance to make a bit of noise,” said Graham.

Year 3 presented an in-depth study of rock and fossil formations and were able to identify correctly many different types of rock. They even had a go at making their own fossils, as well as constructing a volcano with a bicarbonate of soda eruption.

Year 4 teacher Tara Moran said: “The kids have absolutely loved it and they have got so much from it. We did a whole day of activities on Monday, which involved a lot of experiments and making things in preparation for today.

“The parents love it too because they get to see what their kids have been doing. We find dedicating one full week to science is a great way of making sure the children get a good understanding of the subject.”

Year 5 showed their knowledge of the environment by getting their hands dirty by learning about soil, minerals and filtration.

Year 5 pupil Gabriel Reivers, 10, said: “It’s been a really good week. I’ve learnt a lot, especially all about the filtration process.”

As Graham explained: “The Year 5 pupils have been learning how to make clean water for people to drink and how that process is relevant to their lives.”

All the other children really seemed to enjoy showing off their creations.

Year 6 pupil Lila Hart, 10, said: “One of my favourite things about the week was learning about what is transparent, translucent or opaque. I think the fair has been great so far and I’m looking forward to the parents coming later on.”