This project helps Mums and Dads to find out about the science their children are doing at Primary School.

Focussing on Key Stages 1 and 2, I take parents through the stages of understanding and vocabulary that children go through as they progress through the science curriculum.

More than that, though. I offer ideas for families to try together that will help children 'get their heads round' some of the complex ideas they have to learn in Science.

The topics we cover are:

• Light and Sound
• Keeping Electricity Safe
• Earth in Space
• Forces (springs, magnets and gravity)
• Materials

Each session lasts 2 hours. The first hour is for parents to find out more about the curriculum. The second hour involves the children in hands-on activities with their parents or a show for the whole school (depending on the topic chosen)

The visits are free to schools.

So if Mums and Dads want to help kids with their homework, this is the ideal way to get up to speed with what the National Curriculum asks for.

And the Hobnobs?

The meetings are informal and take place in the school, usually during school time, and we sit around drinking tea and coffee and indulging in Hobnobs.

The project was initially funded by Engineering and Physical Science Research Council. Science with Coffee and Hobnobs is now run by the University of Southampton.