There were budding Einsteins and Newtons by the dozen. The weird and wonderful world of science was laid bare as youngsters were put through their paces by the real professors.

Southampton University played host yesterday to about 300 youngsters from schools across Hampshire for a fun look at the subject.

The Year 5 and 6 pupils enjoyed interactive games and delights such as bendy sandstone, colourful fibre optic lights and making bouncy putty.

Heads from the university's chemistry department organised the special day to show the youngsters how important science was in their everyday lives.

Gill Reid, schools liaison coordinator for the department, said: "We wanted them to see there's a lot of fun challenges and exciting things associated with science.

"The main thing was to get them to realise how important science is to our everyday lives and things they see in society.

"It's fair to say the junior school teachers don't have access to the resources we have so we wanted to provide a hands-on element to show just how exciting science is."

Beverly Smith, deputy head of Ampfield Primary School, near Romsey, said: "They have enjoyed the talks and demonstrations and it has been good having specialists giving information on their own particular fields.

"The workshops were very practical, which, of course, appeals to the children."

Paul Lloyd, a PhD physics student, was among the students on hand giving children a glimpse of the science world.

He said: "When I was at school physics was pretty boring so we wanted to show them how much fun it can be."

One of the most popular attractions for youngsters was a stones and minerals stand, which had items from across the world, including bendy sandstone from India.

Daphne Woods, of the ocean and earth school of science, said: "They were able to look at minerals and find out about some of the common uses for them.

"It made them stop and think as so much is dependent on minerals, from the food they eat to buildings, computers and cars."