Pupils at Chippenham’s Frogwell and St Nicholas primary schools, as well as Corsham Regis Primary Academy, got to grips with science last week.

The schools all staged events to fire youngsters’ scientific imaginations.

At Frogwell, the whole school enjoyed a range of talks, competitions, visits and classroom-based activities based on the theme “invention and discovery”.

Trips included a visit to the Talbot Museum, Lacock, home to William Henry Fox Talbot who helped invent photography, and Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. During a workshop on forensic science, children learned how the discovery of DNA is vital when solving crimes. They were presented with a crime scene and became detectives.

The University of the West of England brought in invertebrates, which the children observed using microscopes.

Parents were invited into their child’s class to find out what they have learned.

The children also listened to talks from parents working in fields including engineering and microbiology.

As homework, children created a poster made from recycled materials and prizes were given to winners from Key Stages One and Two.

Science subject leader Claire Cordier said: “Staff and children have expressed how interesting and fun it has been and we have had many complements from the visitors about how well the children have engaged in the activities.

“It is evident from talking to children and seeing some of the work produced that they have learned a lot about invention and discovery and the applications of science in our world.”

Pupils from the St Nicholas School presented a science show to families and friends on March 20 and March 21.

The performance involved 72 pupils, aged four to 19, from the school with severe, complex or profound multiple learning disabilities.

Their show, titled The Wonderful World of Science, was inspired by the school’s science week, which began with a visit from the science explorer dome. On March 15, pupils were invited inside the inflatable dome to talk to a team of specialist scientists.

The pupils then rehearsed for the show in their class groups, making props and creating dances and lines to deliver on the day. They chose nature, the human body and space among their topics.

The annual show helps to build pupils’ confidence and lets the audience see what learning is like at the school.

Students from Corsham Regis School took part in a week of events, ending with an exhibition on Thursday.

Head teacher Louisa Sellars said: “Each of the classes had been doing their science activities through the week, and each set up a different display in the school hall.

“We had exhibits looking at floating and sinking, while the eldest children had a rocket launch.

“It was a hands-on, practical week, so all the children had a chance to have a look around all the different exhibits. There was just a real buzz about science.”

There were also talks about the application of science, and parents were invited to see the work done over the week, when they came into school for a demonstration of the week’s activities.

Ms Sellars said: “We had some people from Wessex Water come in, and local PCSO Shaun Redmond came to talk about how science is used in the police force.”