SCIENCE has been in the spotlight in schools throughout Kirklees as part of National Science Week 2006.

The week has been promoted by the British Association for the Advancement of Science and supported by the Government's Department for Trade and Industry, BP and the Economic and Social Research Council.

It is an opportunity for people of all ages to take part in science, engineering and technology activities.

Students at Royds Hall High School, Paddock, have been star struck this week.

Some 200 Year 7 students had the chance to experience what it is like in a planetarium and look at the stars.

Andy Green, from the Cambridge-based Stardome Planetarium, visited the school and set up a dome in the gym.

Children learned about the Solar System and constellations such as Capricorn and Aries.

Lynne Percy, senior science technician and administrator for the college's specialist science status, said the school wanted to do something special for the children during National Science Week.

The event was also part of its commitment to the study of science.

She said Year 7 pupils would be studying a topic on space later in the year and this was a useful introduction.

Meanwhile, pupils of Upper Whitley Junior and Infant School at Grange Moor enjoyed a day of science.

Year 6 students took part in a variety of experiments including measuring mass and separating materials.

The lessons were provided by science teacher Penny Doig and colleagues. Mrs Doig is a teacher at King James's School, Almondbury.