YOUNGSTERS mastered the appliance of science in a series of fun workshops, live shows and demonstrations in Chester and Ellesmere Port.

The 6th Amazed by Science festival attracted hundreds of families to venues across Cheshire.

Children of all ages explored the exciting, explosive, and at times rather messy world of science in all weathers and getting hands-on with STEM subjects in an engaging way.

The events were organised by Marketing Cheshire supported by headline sponsor Essar along with other science community partners including SP Energy Networks and Alderley Park, as an opportunity to showcase Cheshire as a hub of science and technology.

Two of the main events were held at Chester Town Hall Square and in the Port Arcades Shopping Centre, Ellesmere Port.

Headline sponsor Essar also put on a fantastic show with the ‘Junior Geniuses’ event involving balloon jets, ball-launchers and a unique paint bike making vinyl record works of art at Chester’s Town Hall Square, and with their ‘Hands on Science Fun’ workshop at Port Arcades in Ellesmere Port.

The ‘Science Made Simple’ busker attracted hundreds of children whilst SP Energy Networks gave children the chance to learn all about electronics with ‘Plug and Play, and ‘beat the bleep’ games also at Chester’s Town Hall Square.

The festival team also headed to venues such as Jodrell Bank, Chester Zoo, Anderton Boat Lift, Lion Saltworks, Tatton Park, Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Alderley Park, as well as Crewe and Warrington.

Other highlights included the interactive gorilla workshop hosted by field zoologist and wildlife author Dr Michael Leach at Alderley Park’s Conference Centre and at Crewe Library. The audience were taught how to walk, think and speak like a gorilla during the interactive ‘science meets nature’ workshop presentation.

The schedule was packed with opportunities for fun and learning with splashing with sinking and floating experts at The Anderton Boat Lift in Northwich, rocket shows at Jodrell Bank, Universe Exploration Workshops at Catalyst in Widnes and even a ‘Save the Species’ event at Chester Zoo where families learned all about the important technology being used to prevent extinction all around the world.

Ian Cotton, head of communications at Essar, said: “Essar have proudly sponsored this important event which aims to get families from in and around Cheshire excited about science.

"We were delighted to see hundreds of people travelling to the events to have fun and learn something new and to realise how wide-ranging a career in science can be. Our team look forward to being involved again with the festival again next year.”