HUNDREDS of primary school children tried virtual welding, made ice cream and built towers out of pasta and marshmallows during a science day at Wycliffe College.

Pupils of Charfield and the Wotton-under-Edge-based Blue Coat and British schools were amongst peers from schools across the region to attend the college’s annual STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) Day on Tuesday, October 11.

More than 450 children enjoyed a range of workshops and lectures from about 100 Wycliffe Sixth Formers acting as tutors and teachers, showing the youngsters how to make a variety of objects.

The STEM day is the brainchild of Matthew Archer, head of sixth form and Justin Clements the head of science at Wycliffe College.

“This year's STEM Day as been bigger and better than previous years,” said Mr Archer.

“The feedback from the students has been phenomenal and I really hope we have generated the next generation of engineers.

“Also the sixth formers delivering the lessons learned much about themselves and hopefully some may become teachers in the future.

“Slime, snot, foaming mouths and flesh eating bugs... What's not to love?”

Companies and organisations supporting the day included Renishaw, Avantis, Rolls Royce, Mantra Learning, INDS and Severn Wye Energy.