Weird and wacky experiments are on the agenda at the first Bradford Science Festival which started today with five days of activities and events for children, adults and families.

Thousands of young people at schools across Yorkshire will attend science workshops and demonstrations by experts at Bradford College, Bradford Council, BASF, Fabric, Participate Projects, the National Media Museum and the University of Bradford.

The festival, organised by Space Connections, a Bradford-based education team, is being held following the success of last year's British Science Festival, hosted at the University of Bradford.

Helen Barraclough, who leads the Space Connections team, based at the new Inspire Bradford business park in Eccleshill, said: “The main reasons we are doing the festival, firstly, is to inspire young people to do science and technological careers.

“We also want to show people how science is important in all aspects of life and to promote the science industries around Bradford.

“We want Bradford to become the hub of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in the whole of at least West Yorkshire – we want it to put us on the map.”

The festival will feature a range of events including a project to create a giant DNA helix reflecting the lives of primary school pupils in the district.

Activities planned also include a primary school challenge to develop a machine run by solar, wind or water power, a science writing challenge run through local libraries and a science journalism competition in colleges and schools.

There will also be an “adult programme” for the festival, and Bradford City Park will host its first firework display to bring events to a close.

Among the events planned for children is a series of science taster workshops for schools, organised by Bradford Council’s Museums and Galleries.

Children aged between seven and 11 will find out how rocks are used in everyday structures in Bradford city centre, including the sculptures in City park, Victorian sandstone buildings and the architecture holding the big screen in place in Centenary Square.

The Bradford Rocks workshop will teach the youngsters archaeological techniques and procedures that will help them to uncover the different time periods that have shaped the Bradford district.

The workshops will be held in Bradford 1 Gallery until Friday.

The Bradford Rocks Science Key Stage 2 workshops are available as part of Bradford Museums and Galleries’ taught-schools workshop programme. Full details about its schools offer can be found at bradfordmuseums.org.