STUDENTS went full steam ahead to explore the science behind engineering technology when they visited a celebrated museum.

Pupils from Darlington School of Mathematics and Science (DSMS) spent a day at the award-winning Locomotion: National Railway Museum, in Shildon, County Durham, to take part in a host of workshops.

The 54 Year seven students each took turns constructing four different types of load-bearing bridges from a variety of materials and motorised junk cars powered by elastic bands.

Angela Robson, science teacher responsible for key stage three achievement at DSMS, said: “Our pupils were invited to come to Locomotion to learn more about basic engineering skills.

“This also helps feed into our school’s activities which are designed to provide hands on science, technology, engineering and mathematics experiences, which in turn help to strengthen student knowledge and raise academic and career aspirations.

“Locomotion is a fantastic venue filled with engineering history and it’s great for our students to be surrounded by past and present technology and get hands-on experience of creating their very own engineering projects.”

Following the workshops the students were taken on a tour of the museum and were given the opportunity to talk to the Locomotion engineers about the trains on show.

Student Sophie Dillon, 11, said: “We were shown how to construct a car out of a milk carton and some sticks and how to power it using elastic bands.

“It’s good to come out of school to somewhere like this and be able to learn how to make something that works.”