‘SINGING’ bowls, mini-beasts and futuristic cars were part of a scheme to spark an interest in science at a family day in Dorchester.

The free event, hosted by Sunninghill Preparatory School , drew around 200 adults and children from across the town.

Headmaster Andrew Roberts-Wray said the afternoon, organised by the Dorset Area Schools Partnership (DASP) was ‘brilliant fun’.

He added: “You could see that everyone was getting a lot out of it. This is exactly what DASP aims to achieve and what it does best – sharing the knowledge and enthusiasm of its teachers, for the benefit of the children.”

Visitors got to try their hands at different experiments, and learn about the science behind them.

Sunninghill pupil Brodie Haward, 10, who went along with his mum Alison said: “I managed to make a sound from the bowl using my hand. There was also a bridge challenge, where you were only allowed to use five pieces of paper and you couldn’t reinforce it with any tape. I really enjoyed that.”

Children were invited to make Aboriginal ‘journey sticks’, decorated with items to tell the story of their journey, and Mr Roberts-Wray demonstrated the electric Renault Twizy which can reach 50mph.

Sue Brunt, head of science at Sunninghill, and one of the organisers of the event, said: “Children learn best when they are having fun, and I think the science day certainly achieved that.”

Teachers from Thomas Hardye, Dorchester Middle School, St Osmund’s Middle School and St Mary’s Middle School also helped to plan the event.