YORK Children’s University entertained more than 300 children and families from 19 schools across the city this month.

The York CU in the City programme hosted events for children with the aim of engaging them to learn outside of the classroom, three of which were run by academics from the University of York - electronics’ professor Jon Timmis presented cutting-edge research with ‘Can robots be our friends?’, while Dr Annie Hodgson from the chemistry department demonstrated how and why fireworks bang, and Katherine Leech from the physics department introduced children to scientific discoveries and how they affect our everyday lives.

York Student's Union voluntary group Inkwell also delivered a creative writing workshop about trekking through the Antarctic as intrepid explorers.

Helen Green, Volunteering Project Officer for York Cares, said: "We are very grateful to the students and academics from the University of York who did a fantastic job at bringing their subjects to life in really fun and interactive ways for CU in the City. From creative writing in the Antarctic, to flying robots, these events were extremely popular with children and families, and have hopefully helped to inspire the next generation."

The Children’s University is a national scheme which seeks to inspire children by taking them to new places with the aim of raising aspirations, boosting achievement and fostering a love of learning.

York CU is led and managed by York Cares and the University of York under the national Children’s University Trust, which brings together schools, businesses, universities, museums, libraries, sports and music clubs and outdoor activities.

The next York CU event will be a children’s graduation ceremony on Thursday, March 26 at Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall, the ceremony recognises children who have participated in a variety of learning activities throughout the last year. About 80 children are expected to attend.