Over 100 pupils in Pembrokeshire have taken part in a cutting-edge science festival.

Youngsters from many schools across the county attended the second Pembrokeshire schools STEMFEST on Saturday.

Held at the Bridge Innovation Centre in Pembroke, the festival aims to enthuse future generations of scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians, through a series of challenges and competitive activities.

It was organised by Pembrokeshire County Council's education service with external partners and follows the inaugural STEMFEST event last year.

Four major STEM (Science, Engineering Technology and Mathematics) challenges were incorporated in the festival including the F1 in schools programme, a Lego WeDo Underwater challenge event and a Lego Robotics NXT workshop, and Jaguar Maths in motion.

The event involved the Darwin Centre based at Pembrokeshire College, a Pembrokeshire charity in its 10th year of delivering hands-on STEM activities to every school in the county, through its Dragon LNG Darwin Experience programme. Prof Campbell, Dr. Morse, Sam and Marten are also the Directors of the British Science Association in Pembrokeshire.

Jodie McGregor, engagement coordinator at Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, was able to offer insights into how STEM subjects are linked in the marine and coastal sector.

She used the opportunity to share the day-to-day working of ships pilot including the tight navigation required in the Haven and the procedures to control ships!

A Scratch workshop and robot control event was organised by Julian Milligan from CoderDojo Carmarthen.

There were opportunities for Pembrokeshire school children to not only experience the Bio Luminescence of the Deep sea but also explore the sky at night through the Pembrokeshire Schools Star Lab which was delivered by Rob Woodman from Ysgol Bro Gwaun. Rob is also a lead educator with the National Space Academy.

There were displays from See Science and a solar panel display from Dragons Breath.

Sir Thomas Picton pupils' winning entry to the Technocamps competition in July - a NXT lego airship - was also on display.

The airship flew around above the event controlled by a mobile 'phone, with helium gas provided by Torque Robotics, a company based at the Bridge Innovation Centre.

"The aim of STEMFEST is to bring the latest in science and engineering opportunities to pupils so that they can develop a range of real life skills necessary for them achieve at the highest level," said Clr. Sue Perkins, cabinet member for education.

"Science and technology are pathways to the future ... and let's not forget that they can also be a lot of fun!"