DRAMATIC explosions and bubbling chemical reactions opened up the world of science to primary school children.

Woodham Academy in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, launched Sparkies science club to give younger children the chance to visit a laboratory and see just how exciting physics, biology and chemistry can be.

The first session, on Wednesday, October 8, saw children from Woodham Burn, Sugar Hill, Vane Road, Heighington and Aycliffe Village primary schools learn about atoms, patterns and combustion reactions.

The awestruck youngsters watched in fascination as science teacher Nichola Jenkins demonstrate what happens when oxygen and ethanol are combined in a bottle.

And when she created methane bubbles using methane gas and washing-up liquid they laughed in delight.

Andrew Jenkins, head of science, said: “The children were absolutely ecstatic and were so engaged and interested in what was going on.”

The club will meet every half term and each school will be awarded points for the projects they complete, with a prize up for grabs for the winner at the end of the year.

Topics to be covered will include volcanoes, astronomy, rockets, the human body and animal adaption.