Chinchillas, snakes, lizards and a tarantula helped ignite pupils' passion for science when they took part in Leicester's first science week.
More than 40 pupils from Kettering Science Academy travelled to De Montfort University in Leicester to take part in science week events on Friday.
Pupils handled animals from Twycross Zoo, had a go on a Segway, a two-wheel, electronic transporter that you stand upright on, and watched a character called Mad Mike conduct crazy experiments.
Ashley Nayes, 12, said: "It was really fun because we did a lot of cool stuff.
"We learned a lot about physics and we learned a bit about how to recycle to help animals."
Sarah Wells, 12, said: "I probably enjoyed the bit where we went to Mad Mike and the Segway most."
The National Space Centre, which is also in Leicester, took along a portable star dome to teach the pupils about the universe. Jenny Brackwell, events co-ordinator for the school in Deeble Road, said: "It was absolutely brilliant. We had a wonderful time. "The Children learned a lot and even I learned a great deal."
A police team taught the children about the science behind tasers as well as the reason police may start using them. Leicester crime scene officers also taught pupils about evidence found at crime scenes and fingerprinting.
Loughborough University had a display on the dye used on bank notes and the security features that can be seen under UV light, as well as a workshop on the different colours of gemstones and minerals.
Mrs Brackwell said: "Science in the classroom can sometimes be boring, but this showed how exciting it can be and how it's used in everyday
life."