OKEHAMPTON College?s Science Day went off with a bang this week ? proving that science and technology subjects can provide some of the best fun going in classrooms . Around 220 Year 6 pupils from eleven of the college?s feeder primary schools attended the event along with other children from outside the normal catchment area who may also be joining the college next September. There to entertain them was Plymouth University?s teaching fellow in chemistry Dr Roy Lowry, who gave electrifying demonstrations of rocket science in the Octagon Theatre. College science teacher Keith Webber said: ?It was a fantastic day. The children were in fits of laughter. Rob Lowry is a university lecturer, but you could mistake him for a children?s entertainer. He?s like Jasper Carrott let loose with a rocket set.? Besides watching Rob?s high-octane demonstrations, the children had the opportunity to carry out their own experiments in the college?s labs. College administrator Jean Harris said: ?It was all to do with getting them used to how lessons are taught here in college, and with promoting the sciences and technology. So they had a go at lots of fun experiments, like melting jelly babies.? The science day was an important part of the college?s role as a designated technology college. It has now been four years since the college made the transition to focus on science and technology and its status will be renewed this September, subject to a satisfactory review of its progress and activities since 2003. Principal Daryll Chapman has no doubts about the college?s continuing success. He said: ?The status as a technology college has made a tremendous difference to the school. ?It?s meant the we?ve been able to reduce our group sizes, improve the state of our facilities, and organise more enrichment activities.? ?This year, for the second year in a row, we?ve had our best ever results in science and technology at key stage three ?89% of our science students and 85% of our maths students have got level five or higher.? Last month, the college also held its annual technology competition, which was judged by Okehampton Lions. The standard of entries was deemed very high, and this week its winning entries went through to the regional final. LEFT: A fiery demonstration by Dr Roy Lowry. Picture by Ian Snell