Laser shows and robots are among the attractions for Science Week in Southampton

Families are invited to learn about science and have some fun too at National Science Week events being organised at the University of Southampton this month.

Robot funday

Children and their parents will be able to join in a robot building workshop at the Southern Science and Technology Forum's Robot Day on Sunday 10 March (10am to 2pm).

Experts will be on hand to help you build your own robot using Lego's Mindstorms and K*Nex. All are welcome, entry is free and no booking is required. The venue is the University's Avenue Campus in Highfield Road.

Unleashing the power of Chemistry

Find out more about the cutting edge of chemistry at a lecture on Monday 11 March (7:30 - 8.30pm). Professor George Attard of the University's Department of Chemistry will be speaking about Biology in the 21st Century: unleashing the power of Chemistry.

This family lecture takes place in the Chemistry Department's Main Lecture Theatre at the Highfield Campus. Entry is free, but tickets are required. For tickets contact Sue Pipe on 023 8059 4118 or email chem@soton.ac.uk

Lighting up interest with lasers

On Wednesday 13 March, lasers will be lighting up schoolchildren's interest in science in a free public Light Express Roadshow. The show, which is aimed at secondary school students and interested adults, takes place in the Physics Building on the University's Highfield Campus at 7.30pm, with refreshments served from 7pm.

The Light Express Roadshow explains all about photonics-the science of light-and consists of breathtaking laser light and sound displays, and stunning demonstrations explaining some of the basic principles of physics behind the internet and global telecommunications.

The show is visual and interactive and gives an opportunity to see in action big lasers that are not generally found outside research laboratoriess. In addition it backs up the national curriculum for GCSE and A Level Physics.

To book a place for the Public Light Express Show, or for more information about the Roadshow in general, visit www.lightexpress.soton.ac.uk or contact the Light Express Co-ordinator, Joyce Abernethy on 07960 905 140, email j.a.abernethy@soton.ac.uk

Oceans Deep to Mountains High Southampton Oceanography Centre will be marking Science Week with a series of free talks about the oceans from Thursday 7 March. The series Oceans Deep to Mountain High is aimed at the interested non-specialist. Topics covered include the problems associated with living in salt water, life in the abyss, global warming, designing underwater robots, life on coral reefs, and climate and extinction from 400 million year old fossils.

For tickets contact Daphne Woods on 023 8059 5075, or email: dw1@soc.soton.ac.uk