Science enquiry activities set in an industrial context are motivating for children and teachers. In this article, the author describes Children Challenging Industry (CCI) project, an initiative developed and coordinated by the Chemical Industry Education Centre at the University of York, and now running in four northern regions of England (Humber Bank, North West, Tees Valley and West Yorkshire) with the help of local industrial partners. The project aims to make science much more "hands-on" and exciting for primary school children by providing a range of motivating science activities set in industrial contexts. Each one is designed to enhance children's understanding by making science real to them.