Gifted and talented primary school pupils have been tuned in to science thanks to a pioneering programme.

Youngsters from throughout West Bradford spent a day at St James's Church Primary in Allerton as part of moves to foster interest in the subject.

A large, inflatable planetarium, science-based computer programme and introduction to spatial awareness via circus skills all featured during the event - which proved a major hit with its young participants.

Eight Year 3 pupils from seven schools took part.

Emma Phillips, West Bradford primary school gifted and talented co-ordinator, said: "The aim of the day was for the pupils to use their science skills, involve them in investigations, explore the planetarium and take part in circus skills.

"We hope that the children will have been challenged, will have learnt more and will gain a further insight into science."

Freelance astronomy lecturer Dr Fred Stevenson was the pupils' guide to the night sky - created by the blow-up planetarium.

"My aim was to show the children the night sky and reveal to them our place in the universe," he said.

"We talked about the huge distances involved and the fact that the sun is a star.

"We do this by dimming the lights in the planetarium to allow the children to have a look at star patterns.

"The children do have a basic understanding of the earth but this brings everything much more vividly to life."

The children were given an insight into basic material science through the Discovery Dog computer programme. Each school in the West Bradford primary school cluster now has a copy of the programme - which allows pupils to control a dog and help it through different situations.

These include creating a rain-hat for the animal by assessing the waterproof nature of various materials.

Circus skills including juggling, unicycle riding and ribbon twirling were taught in a third session by Neil Smith from education activities firm, Splat.

Mr Smith said: "The skills are all about cognitive spatial awareness and improving the pupils dexterity. The children have learned skills they have simply never experienced before."

Pupils from St James'; Keelham, Denholme Gate; Stocks Lane, Clayton Heights; Thornton; Hollingwood Lane, Great Horton; Clayton Village and Lidget Green primaries took part.

e-mail: dan.webber@bradford.newsquest.co.uk