Schoolchildren have been learning that you can eat smoked salmon raw, and other valuable information, as part of a day of food science.

Eastern Daily Press: Food science day at Reepham Primary School. Picture: Reepham High SchoolFood science day at Reepham Primary School. Picture: Reepham High School (Image: Archant)

Eight STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine) ambassadors from Reepham High School visited the town's primary school, as a warm-up for the food festival on May 27.

The day, which involved 180 children from all the primary classes from Year 1 to Year 6, was organised by George Forster through Reepham & District Rotary Club, helped by John Pickering and Manesty Forster.

The ambassadors, overseen by college student Erin Brady and teachers Sarah Townend, Nick Hull and Kirsty Turner, demonstrated five different activities to the pupils. These activities were speed of light in a microwave, raw or cooked taste test, bubbles in food, food under the microscope and the ever popular bash the custard.

The ambassadors were Emma Bird, Jack Jarvis, Nessie Everett, Eve Reading, Isobel Whiting, Izzy Frary, Hayden Wright, and Anna den Engelse.

They are all part of the Youth STEM awards and have been training as ambassadors through an initiative of the Institute of Physics.

Mr Forster said: 'It's a great example of community co-operation, both schools and the rotary club using local expertise to enthuse youngsters about these important subjects. Food and science, what more could you ask?'

Some of the youngsters from Year 3 and Year 5 were particularly impressed with the day.

One pupil, just known as Theo said: 'I enjoyed my science experience because I don't often learn about food. Every experiment I did, I learned something new.'

Colleague Freya added: 'I discovered you could eat smoked salmon even though it was raw.'

Meanwhile, another pupil, Dannii was surprised when she bashed the custard. 'I never guessed that would happen. It felt like a rock,' she said.

And Rohan added: 'I learnt that when you put your finger in the custard gently, the particles separated so your finger went in, but it felt like the custard was grabbing it. When you punched it hard, there was not time for the particles to separate, so it was like a wall.'

Yasmin added that the raw potato tasted disgusting.