Half term kicked off with a bang at Hove Park School on Saturday when it hosted Brighton Science Festival‘s Family Fun Weekend.

Parents and kids got hands-on experience with interactive activities and science experiments at the Bright Sparks Family Day. Brighton Science Festival is now in its eighth year and is for children of all ages but particularly aimed at 12-14 year olds.

Festival Director Richard Robinson said: “Science had seemed to die in secondary schools and there is the pressure of passing exams and fears about health and safety. The festival here is interactive and fun for parents and kids who can both learn through playing.”

Geology, earthquakes, civil engineering, immunology and ecology were just a handful of the subjects that visitors learnt about during the day. Sussex University society BrightWAMS explored the human digestive systems with visitors at their exhibit.

BrightWAMS member and medicine student Rachel Day, 22, said: “We spread health promotion to kids in the city and today we’re explaining what happens when you swallow your food with interactive colour boards.”

Visitors were also delighted to handle a selection of Madagascan bugs from Drusillas Zoo Park in Alfriston, East Sussex.

James Woodward, Head of Education at Drusillas said: “The cockroaches are not at all vicious, they just scratch a little bit.”

Brighton Science Festival receives support from corporate sponsors and Brighton and Hove City Council. It also relies on many volunteers to help make sure that events run to plan.

Volunteer Becky Howard, 21, from Brighton said: “The festival is very fun and the kids get so excited. People come back and volunteer year after year – everyone is really enthusiastic.”