SALISBURY and district schoolchildren were shown how science can come to life through a series of interactive workshops last week.

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) ran interactive, technology and engineering workshops as part of National Science week, bringing local businesses, industries and agencies together, to enhance pupils' learning experiences.

Porton Down scientists visited pupils from nine different schools across the area, including Highbury First School and Fisherton Manor in Highbury Avenue.

Students got some hands-on experience in everything from designing and building to friction and force.

A human electricity workshop gave them the chance to measure their heart rates and muscle activity, while night-vision goggles revealed how human sight can be dramatically improved in a darkened room.

On Friday, Porton scientists staged a dedicated Science Day at Upper Avon School, in Durrington.

That event was attended by pupils from Bulford Kiwi Primary School, Bulford Church of England School, Figheldean School, Durrington Junior School, Larkhill School and Netheravon School

Attractions included creating balloon buggies, as a way of enhancing pupils' design skills, and marble mazes, to demonstrate friction.

Dstl education liaison manager Alison Bridewell said: "The students gained a much better understanding of the richness of today's science and technologies and the career options they offer.

"They had the chance to meet real people doing real jobs and ask them the questions that matter."