A top American astronaut winged into Bradford this week to inspire children to embrace science lessons.

Major-General Charles Bolden Jnr, who has experienced more than 680 hours in space during four space shuttle missions, was at the University of Bradford and the Wow Academy in Thornton Road yesterday.

He told a group of teachers: “Children should study everything, but science and maths open doors.”

The former US Marine said blasting off into space did not even occupy his dreams as a boy and that he was “goaded” into a career as an astronaut.

Major-General Bolden, now retired, said: “When I was growing up in South Carolina, I was really interested in science but I didn’t want to be an astronaut. I thought I wanted to be an engineer but when I went to the Naval Academy at 17, then the Marines, and the opportunity arose, I didn’t need to go back and study science.”

The conference at the University’s Norcroft Building, entitled To Infinity And Beyond, kicked off a week of activities and workshops on the campus at the start of National Science and Engineering Week.

Trevor Mason, chief executive for Careers Bradford, said: “We want to get the message out to young people about the worth of pursuing a career in science, technology and engineering.

“People who go on to get degrees in these fields tend to find themselves in a secure career.”

Helen Barraclough, of Space Connections, said: “Not all children will go on to be astronauts but the aim of getting Major-General Bolden involved is to set their aspirations high.”

Councillor Adrian Naylor, who is supporting Space Connections’ forthcoming school rocket making competition, said: “Bradford has the fastest growing population of young people outside of London and if we are going to attract investment in terms of businesses and creating jobs, we need to give our children those medium level skills to get them into university.”

Major-General Bolden has been linked with the role of director of NASA.