CHEMICAL cocktails, the science of toothpaste and an inflatable planetarium star in the 'biggest ever' programme of science activities for children in Oxford this term.

Educational charity Science Oxford has just published its latest line-up of events and says enormous demand has prompted an explosion of possibilities.

Among the sessions coming up in the next few weeks are Creative Computing, nest box-making and a session on Medical Marvels.

Development director Jude Eades said parents were clamouring for extracurricular activities to fill a gap in science teaching at schools.

She said: "Demand has increased enormously.

"We speak to parents and children all the time and the general message is that they want more weekend and holiday science activities.

"Science is not a priority in the current primary school curriculum but children really enjoy it when they get the chance to do science at school."

Science Oxford's interactive workshops aim to encourage children to explore science concepts and ideas in a fun and hands-on way.

Ms Eades added: "Parents see the benefit of this kind of interactive approach in helping their children to understand how the world works."

The growing demand has meant Science Oxford was recently able to take on two new members of staff to run weekend activities including a new coding club.

Over the past six months the organisation has also launched a new website which makes it easier to book in advance.

This has also helped identify which subjects which are most popular.

For example, in October the team ran a special Starry Skies planetarium show in an inflatable planetarium at the Earth Trust in Little Wittenham.

The original six workshops sold out quickly so they added more – which also sold out.

Science Oxford is part of a charitable trust called The Oxford Trust, set up by scientist husband and wife Sir Martin and Audrey (Lady) Wood, in 1985.

They previously founded Oxford Instruments, Oxford University's first spin-out company, which is still going at its headquarters on the A338 near Abingdon.

Science Oxford's remit today is to engage young people with science and help them embark on careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.

Ms Eades said: "The current primary school curriculum doesn’t have much space for science but we know that teachers understand its educational importance and bookings for our primary-focused science show and workshops are consistently high."

The new events programme is especially packed in the half term week starting on February 13 with a session on Wonderful Water Wheels at the Story Museum in Oxford.

There are also a series of adult workshops coming up.

For a full list of Science Oxford events for families, young people and adults go to scienceoxford.com