Robots is set to hit the country’s big screens next week, but hype surrounding the movie, starring Halle Berry and Robin Williams, is helping to add some three-dimensional fun to science lessons.

Year 5 pupils from Mount Stuart primary school in Cardiff helped to launch National Science Week by turning their hand to a “junk robotics challenge” at the city’s Techniquest centre.

The youngsters were challenged to transform household rubbish into their own personal urbanoid, each with their own special features and functions.

Jazique Islam, age 10, is looking forward to seeing Rodney Copperbottom, the lead character in Robots, in action on the big screen.

She said: “I’d love a robot which can do everything for me, it would be great. This is fun, and not as boring as being in school. I can’t wait to see the film.”

Her teacher Andrew Reilly said: “The children love robots and they recently saw Dr Who being filmed in Cardiff. This makes science really hands-on and fun.”

Dave Breen, Techniquest’s programmes and events manager, said: “Robots are the central theme of science week because of the film. It is always good to tap into something topical to motivate young pupils to enjoy the subject.”

The class was observed by education and lifelong learning minister Jane Davidson.

She said: “We have got robots here with remote-controlled legs, robots for doing homework and even robots for going to war.

“This is the type of science experience which will encourage pupils to take it up seriously in later years.

“Standards in key stage 2 have risen and Welsh pupils are now doing better than others in many areas of England.”