A BIG BANG created a range of fun activities to help schoolchildren get hands on with STEM subjects.

Schools and businesses from across the region gathered at Whitehaven Golf Club to take part in exciting exercises during a Big Bang day.

Over 20 exhibitors from businesses and colleges showcased STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths - skills, including Oscar the Robot - the NDA's talking friend.

Steve Herbert, headteacher at Montreal Primary School, Cleator Moor, said: "It gives the children a taste of what they might want to do in the future.

"They've had an excellent time, they have met a robot, electrocuted each other and enjoyed all the activities."

The event was organised by STEM Cumbria Ltd and aimed to emphasise the importance of STEM subjects and related careers.

"Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics impact on almost everything we do. We hope this event will showcase the fact that STEM is all around us," said Tony Gill from STEM Cumbria.

Activities included meeting the talking robot, using a Van der Graaf generator, a pipe challenge and making a wine gum box to carry pens.

Rob Way, from the Institute of Physics, said: "We have been doing a range of experiments. The Van de Graaff generator has been really popular and it helps teach the children about static electricity.

"We've talked to pupils about what they might want to go on to do. It's important to make STEM subjects accessible and to show that they are interesting."

Some of the exhibitors included: REACT Engineering, Gen II, NNL, Amec Foster Wheeler, Sellafield and the NDA, Lakes College, Morgan Sindall, James Fisher and the Institute of Physics.