THE wonders of science and engineering were on show at Heysham power stations’ visitor centre as the sites’ kicked off British Science Week with a bang.

More than 400 people came to the centre to try out everything from building a nuclear reactor using virtual reality to seeing how plants grow.

Staff from the power stations joined forces with Lancaster University’s outreach team, who brought along some hands-on experiments which showed off some of their cutting-edge research.

Sarah Marshall, visitor centre co-ordinator, said: “This is the third time we have run the event and this year’s proved one of the most popular.

“Alongside the experiments we also had some of our female engineers around to talk to those interested in working at the power station.”

During the science week, staff from the visitor centre also visited two schools, Overton St Helen’s and Westgate primary, taking in experiments based around electricity.

The team saw more than 100 pupils who were shown how electricity is conducted through different materials and liquids.

Sarah said: “It was great to be invited into schools to support their science week activities. We have also welcomed a group of environmental studies students from Lancaster University to the visitor centre this week.”

The team at the visitor ventre is now planning for its Easter activities which will include a ‘bottle gardening’ event where children use old milk plastic bottles to grow bee-friendly plants, fruit and vegetables.

To book a place on this event or to find out more about tours and upcoming activities contact: heyshamvisitorcentre@edf-energy.com or 01524 868451.